Jewish seminary to admit gays

[deadparrot]

Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK - The major seminary and flagship institution of Conservative Judaism said Monday it will start accepting openly gay and lesbian students, after scholars who interpret Jewish law for the movement voted to allow it.

Arnold Eisen, the incoming chancellor for the Jewish Theological Seminary, said the decision was made after extensive discussion with faculty and students, a survey on views of the issue within the movement and a meeting of the school's trustees.

"The larger issue has been how we can remain true to our tradition in general and to halakah (Jewish law) in particular while staying fully responsive to and immersed in our society and culture," Eisen said in a statement distributed to the school community and its supporters.

The Conservative branch holds the middle ground in American Judaism, adhering to tradition while allowing some change for modern circumstances.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070326/ap_on_re_us/conservative_jews_gays

[Placebo]

1. Cool!

I'm an atheist, but this is still great for gays and lesbians out there who take their religion very personally.

[oberliner]

2. New York Jewish seminary will allow gays, lesbians

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Conservative Jewish seminary in New York has agreed to admit gays and lesbians who want to become rabbis, but declined to take a stand on whether rabbis should officiate at same-sex unions.

The Jewish Theological Seminary announced its decision on Monday, more than three months after the Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards authorized the ordination of gays and lesbians.

While most Orthodox Jews ban same-sex unions or gay rabbis, and Reform Jews have accepted them for years, Conservative Jews have been split with sentiment growing for acceptance.

A survey commissioned by the seminary and released in January showed 65 percent of Conservative rabbis in favor of allowing gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors compared to 28 percent who were opposed.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070326/us_nm/gay_jews_dc_1

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This is an important step in a positive direction.

[columbusdem]

3. This is most definitely a good thing.

This is most definitely a good thing.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Although long expected, the news are welcome indeed!

My Conservative/Reconstructionist congregation has long been accepting of LGBTs.