Same sex marriage and the Jewish dilemma

[Behind the Aegis]

Since the U.S. Senate is voting today on what is called the Marriage Protection Amendment - an amendment President George Bush is promoting - it is a perfect time to deal with the question of same-sex marriage and the Jewish community. And it's not one question, but rather two, or even three.

1. Does the Jewish community support same sex marriage?
2. Can it present the world with a unified voice on the matter?
3. Does it need to try to come with a unified voice?

The short answer to all 3 questions is no, no and no. But that's not the end of it. As the discussion of this issue keeps coming back, it also keeps alive one of the most delicate dilemmas of Jewish life in America: what subjects merit an intervention by the "Jewish community?" A tricky question - but a defining one nevertheless.

In last week's dialog, with Steven Gutow of JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs - read it here), I asked him point blank about the issue. His reponse: "On behalf of what issues should the community, as a community, take stands? When Jewish values and Jewish interests are strongly embraced by the major organizational players, the community through its umbrella organizations should stand up and be counted. Issues relating to Israel, confronting poverty, immigration, pluralism, Sudan, the separation of church and state, the environment and many others?"

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[Meshuga]

1. Take a look at the RAC website...

and look at what they say in the biggest banner of their site:

"Support Marriage Equality"

http://rac.org/index.cfm?

That's the action website for the Union for Reform Judaism which is the biggest Jewish group in the country.

In addition, the conservative movement is voting to not only to legalize gay marriage but also to ordain gay rabbis. And the conservative movement is another big chunk of the Jewish community that makes it about 90% of the total affiliated Jewish community if you add them with the Reform group.

The Reform movemnet has been making sure to create resolutions to welcome homossexauls and promote their rights and the conservatives are following right behind.

*editing to add the action portion of the RAC website because it is important to Jews here in DU to voice their oppinion to their senators:

http://capwiz.com/rac/issues/alert/?alertid=8478701

[Debbi801]

2. My (Reform) Rabbi speaks openly about marriage equality regularly....

I agree with Mr Wiggles.

The Reform movement strongly believes in homosexuals having all the same rights as heterosexuals. I know one of the reform temples in my area has a homosexual rabbi.

However, I don't see the Orthodox movement ever being accepting of it, unfortunately.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Reform have led the way.

There have been Reform groups going back to '88 that had Rabbis preform sam-sex marriages. Today, it is the Conservative movement struggling with the decision. Some are OK, others, not so much so. Sadly, I agree with you, I doubt we will ever see the Orthodox movement embrace marriage equality. However, IMO, I only require the State's recognition, how I relate to G-d is my business.