Conservative Jews to Consider Ending a Ban on Same-Sex Unions and Gay Rabbis

The New York Times ^ | March 6, 2006 | LAURIE GOODSTEIN

[mikey565]

In a closed-door meeting this week in an undisclosed site near Baltimore, a committee of Jewish legal experts who set policy for Conservative Judaism will consider whether to lift their movement's ban on gay rabbis and same-sex unions.

In 1992, this same group, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, declared that Jewish law clearly prohibited commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples and the admission of openly gay people to rabbinical or cantorial schools. The vote was 19 to 3, with one abstention.

Since then, Conservative Jewish leaders say, they have watched as relatives, congregation members and even fellow rabbis publicly revealed their homosexuality. Students at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, the movement's flagship, began wearing buttons saying "Ordination Regardless of Orientation." Rabbis performed same-sex commitment ceremonies despite the ban.

The direction taken by Conservative Jews, who occupy the centrist position in Judaism between the more liberal Reform and the more strict Orthodox, will be closely watched at a time when many Christian denominations are torn over the same issue. Conservative Judaism claims to distinguish itself by adhering to Jewish law and tradition, or halacha, while bending to accommodate modern conditions.

"This is a very difficult moment for the movement," said Rabbi Joel H. Meyers, a nonvoting member of the law committee and executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, which represents the movement's 1,600 rabbis worldwide.

"There are those who are saying, don't change the halacha because the paradigm model of the heterosexual family has to be maintained," said Rabbi Meyers, a stance he said he shared. "On the other hand is a group within the movement who say, look, we will lose thoughtful younger people if we don't make this change, and the movement will look stodgy and behind the times."

[mikey565]

Another win for the Gay Agenda

[Paleo Conservative]

Surely they can't be serious.

[traderrob6]

In 1992, this same group, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, declared that Jewish law clearly prohibited commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples and the admission of openly gay people to rabbinical or cantorial schools

So Jewish law emphatically states one thing and then just 14 years later it does not.

[edpc]

In the meeting, they determined the gay rabbis will be referred to as "He-blews."

[pissant]

Kinda like Evangelicals support Global Warming legislation.

[TXBSAFH]

Ping

[sarasota]

Sure they are serious. Fear of losing their membership leads folks down that slippery slope.

[sasafras]

Hmmm...lets change the laws of religion to suit the sinner. I guess if thats the key here then I can only imagine what Judiasm will be in 10 or 20 years. I cant believe that true Jews would seriously be considering this...if they are then they will fall out of favor quickly. They may increase the number of gays in their congregation but all others who read and understand the bible will leave.

[sasafras]

Do you really think this is about losing membership...I doubt it. It is about losing the political clout and money of the rich contributers. They are not concerned about saving souls in such a change only keeping money and power.

[Obadiah]

Heresy! Seeking the approval of men rather than God!

[longtermmemmory]

I can not see this happening but they will use the discussion itself to say this is a legitimate issue for the sexual fetish. "see homosexuality is SO important, conservative rabbis are considering endorsing sexual behavior."

[The Noodle]

So Jewish law emphatically states one thing and then just 14 years later it does not.

It's such a new and evolving religion that they still are working on a few things.

[sarasota]

We're on the same wavelength and thanks for elaborating.

[docbnj]

""There are those who are saying, don't change the halacha because the paradigm model of the heterosexual family has to be maintained," said Rabbi Meyers, a stance he said he shared. "On the other hand is a group within the movement who say, look, we will lose thoughtful younger people if we don't make this change, and the movement will look stodgy and behind the times.""

For "thoughtful younger people," substitute "thoughtless younger people."

Unfortunately, Judaism is just as weak as many other religions when it comes to standing for principle. Jews made up most of the cadre for the early communist movement. Now they seem to be going for radical feminism. What is wrong with those people?

[Always Right]

Since then, Conservative Jewish leaders say, they have watched as relatives, congregation members and even fellow rabbis publicly revealed their homosexuality. Students at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, the movement's flagship, began wearing buttons saying "Ordination Regardless of Orientation."

So if Jewish leaders revealed themselves as thieves, perhaps we should white out some of the 10 Commandments while we are at it.

[goldstategop]

If they violate halacha to be trendy, they estrange themseles from the Jewish people and are no different from the Reform. Jewish law bans homosexual unions and considers homosexual behavior a grave sin. That has not changed in thousands of years. Jews shouldn't change their values to reflect contemporary social mores. If they do, they are pagans instead of being Jews.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[RexBeach]

Oy vey!

One more nail in the olde culture coffin.

OK, so you're a rabbi, and you're gay. What do you call your "partner"?

[svcw]

Conservative Jews to Consider Ending a Ban on Same-Sex Unions and Gay Rabbis

That headline is hysterical. They can not be conservative Jews if they are considering ending ban on same sex unions and gay Rabbis.

[longtermmemmory]

They don't expect to win, BUT they want to use the discussion as an indication of approval of the conservative rabbis.

Legitimate enough to discuss.

It does not matter this is DOA. This "rumored" discussion buys propaganda points. I bet it will even grow and be exagerated into some variation of an urban legend. That is unless the conservative rabbis come forward and deny ANY discussion is or will take place.

[holden]

2 Tim 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires[.]

ears?

HF