Oy Vey the Rabbi is Gay: A Short Story for Children

[Ian David]

By Rabbi Daniel Brenner

Introduction: A few years ago, I was fortunate to work closely with a Conservative Rabbi, Benay Lappe, who spent her years at JTS in the closet. I learned about the enormous pain that she went through as she had to hide her identity. She chose JTS beacuse she wanted to learn talmud, to be in an environment that cared about Jewish law, and to be part of a movement that valued tradition. I am sure that there are others like Lappe, in the Conservative movement and in Orthodoxy who are struggling to be practicing Jews and to be both psychologically honest and mentally healthy regarding their sexuality. In part, I wrote this story with them in mind. I hope that you enjoy it.

Last year, on Rosh Hashannah, our synagogue got a new rabbi.

"He's better than the old rabbi," Sarah Spitzer said to Bill Steinberg, "He's got a beautiful voice and he remembers everybody's name!" Everyone was happy with the new rabbi.

Everyone except Mr. Birnbaum. Mr. Birnbaum always sat in the back row so that he could talk to his friends during services. He didn't have anyone to talk to at home. His wife had died many years ago. But when he went to synagogue, he had many friends.

<snip>

"Who is that tall man?" Mr. Birnbaum asked Sarah. "And why is he in the Rabbi's house?"

"Shhh! Keep quiet," Sarah said, "the Rabbi's car just pulled into the driveway!" Mr. Birnbaum and Sarah Spitzer watched through the window as the Rabbi walked into his new house. The tall man got up. He put down his book and gave the Rabbi a long hug and a kiss. A long kiss.

"Oy vey!" Mr. Birnbaum exclaimed, "the Rabbi is gay!"

More:
http://www4.jrf.org/showres&rid=484

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Awesome

Thank you for sharing this.

[UncleSepp]

2. Dang, I think I... have something in my eye...

;-) Thank you for sharing this!