News articles
Rabbi quits seminary over exclusion of gays | JPost
Rabbi quits Schechter seminary over exclusion of gays
‘Masorti seminary rejected gay applicants, wanted to expel gay students’
The Jerusalem Post 9 Dec 2011 • By GIL SHEFLER
A Masorti (Conservative) rabbi has quit the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem in acrimony over the exclusion of openly gay students from its rabbinical studies program, The Jerusalem Post learned on Thursday.
Rabbi Tamar Elad-appelbaum, former associate dean at the seminary, resigned this week because it allegedly reneged on a promise to ordain homosexual students, a source said.
“She was promised two years ago when she entered the position that they will ordain LGBT students,” the source said. “She learned this was not going to be the case two weeks ago and quit.”
Elad-appelbaum did not answer her phone on Thursday but several sources verified the story.
The Schechter Institute issued a response expressing regret over the rabbi’s decision to leave, without elaborating on the circumstances of her departure.
“The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary received Rabbi Tamar Elad- Appelbaum’s resignation with great regret,” said Rabbi Prof. Hanan Alexander, chairman of seminary’s board of trustees. “Rabbi Elad-appelbaum contributed enormously to the seminary during her tenure and we wish her every success in her future endeavors.”
The row between the seminary and the rabbi is part of a larger debate taking place within the Conservative Movement over its policy toward homosexuality. During the 1990s some of its rabbis embraced the gay community and welcomed its members into its ranks while others adhered to the traditional halachic ban against same-sex relations.
In recent years two of its most important religious schools, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, have opened their doors to LGBT students. But the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem under the presidency of Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin has refused to ordain openly gay students.
Sources said Elad-appelbaum decided to step down after Golinkin “rejected openly gay students who applied for admission next year and wanted to investigate the sexual identities of those already enrolled at the seminary.”
Amichai Lau-lavie, an openly gay student at JTS and the scion of a renowned rabbinical family, sent an e-mail calling Elad-appelbaum a “courageous and inspiring leader whose commitment to human dignity, tikkun olam and halachic progress is of international renown.”
Lau-lavie said her departure presents a “painful reality check” but that he was optimistic it would eventually bring change to the Conservative Movement’s policy toward gays in Israel and in general. The rabbinical student said he considered applying for admission to Schechter in 1997 but was advised against it “because of my sexual orientation.”
Other members of the movement on Thursday said the expected backlash over the resignation of EladAppelbaum – who they said was the third senior official to leave Schechter in as many years – may undermine Golinkin’s position at the helm of the Masorti seminary in Jerusalem.
“The news may hurt the institute’s image and its appeal in the eyes of students, who may not want to go there, as well as donors,” a source said on condition of anonymity. “Golinkin will either give in or have to leave.”
Golinkin on Thursday chose not to comment on Elad-appelbaum’s departure, saying “I have no response.”
REUVEN RIVLIN
Openly gay orthodox Jews get their say, support | JPost
Union for Progressive Judaism endorses ALP’s support for Marriage Equality
Following on from their May 2011 call for full marriage equality, the Union for Progressive Judaism issued a statement this week endorsing the decision by the Australian Labor Party to support marriage equality under Australian Law.
מוֹעצת הרבנים המתקדמים
Rabbinic Council of Progressive RabbisThe Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) together with the members of the Moetzah, the Rabbinic Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, Asia and New Zealand, support marriage equality under Australian law and welcome the decision of the Australian Labor Party to do the same.
Judaism teaches that all human beings are created betzelem Elohim (“in the image of God”) (Genesis 1:27) and are therefore entitled to full dignity and equality. The Jewish people are all too familiar with discrimination and worse, and we reject it however rationalised.
We believe that Australian law should guarantee equality in marriage and giving equality in religion and in terms of civil status. There is no reason for Australian law to limit or discriminate against the civil or legal rights of any individual or group.
We hope that the message “It’s time” will be embraced by the Australian Parliament and legislation granting full marriage equality will soon be enacted.
Steve Denenberg
Executive Director
Mixed reaction to marriage policy | AJN
9 Dec 2011
The Australian Jewish News Sydney edition
GARETH NARUNSKY
Mixed reaction to marriage policy
AUSTRALIAN Labor’s adoption of same-sex marriage as party policy at its conference last weekend has elicited a mix of reactions from the Jewish community.
The resolution passed with the caveat that Labor MPS would be allowed a conscience vote on the issue, which may make it difficult for the legislation to pass when it is brought before the House.
Scott Whitmont, who with partner Christopher Whitmont-stein was part of the first Australian faithsanctioned same-sex commitment ceremony at Emanuel Synagogue in September 2008, said the resolution was still a positive one.
“I think that any step that moves us towards recognition of the basic human right of allowing same-sex couples to have the same legal recognition as heterosexual couples, is a good thing,” he said.
J4ME (Jews for Marriage Equality) founder and Dayenu president Roy Freeman attended an equal marriage rally on Saturday, timed to coincide with the debate.
“There was an amazing atmosphere at the rally, with the largest turn-out of any marriage rally so far,” he said. “There was a real sense of achievement, but also of frustration with the conscience vote decision. The Labor Party have given with one hand, but taken away with the other.”
Union for Progressive Judaism executive director Steve Denenberg said there was no reason for Australian law to limit or discriminate against the civil or legal rights of any individual or group.
“The UPJ together with the members of the Moetzah, the Rabbinic Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, Asia and New Zealand, support marriage equality under Australian law and welcome the decision of the Australian Labor Party to do the same,” he said.
The Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia (ORA) continues to oppose any change in legislation.
In a statement, the ORA said it intended no discrimination towards the gay community, but wished to uphold the sanctity of marriage.
“The institution of marriage and family life, as defined and practised for thousands of years as between a man and a woman, a father and a mother, respectively, is far too important and essential to the bedrock of society and civilisation as we know it to be undermined by those who presume to redefine its essence,” ORA said.
Orthodox Rabbis Confuse Themselves with Evangelical Christians | Galus Australis
Redefinition will damage marriage | The Australian
Redefinition will damage marriage
- by: Dovid Freilich
- From: The Australian
- December 06, 2011 12:00AM
THE Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia opposes any legislation to legitimise same-sex marriage. This is not intended to show any discrimination against the gay community, but simply to uphold the sanctity and purpose of marriage, which is the union of man and woman not only to express their love for one another but also to bring future generations into the world.
The institution of marriage and family life, as defined and practised for thousands of years as between a man and a woman, a father and a mother, respectively, is far too important and essential to the bedrock of society and civilisation as we know it to be undermined by those who presume to redefine its essence. Moreover, we are deeply concerned that, should any such redefinition occur, members of traditional communities like ours will incur moral opprobrium and may risk legal sanction if they refuse to transgress their beliefs.
That prospect is unacceptable to all people of good will on both sides of this debate. We call upon Australians to stand opposed to any attempt, whether judicial, legislative or religious in nature, to bestow the sanctity of marriage upon same-sex couples.
Rabbi Dovid Freilich is president of the Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia.
No Holds Barred: ‘Jobs’ description for next UK chief rabbi | JPost
Gay Jewish men and women must be welcome in synagogues and told that amid their lifestyle there are 611 of God’s commandments left to keep.
No Holds Barred: ‘Jobs’ description for next UK chief rabbi | JPost.
Jewish drive for same sex marriage | J-Wire
Ilan Kidron supports Marriage Equality
Lead singer of The Potbelleez, Ilan Kidron, has declared his support for marriage equality: “I believe that everybody should be able to make the same decisions about marriage. As long as same-sex couples are denied the right of marriage, their relationships will be considered second-rate and they and their families will be pushed aside. Not so long ago, the union of rich and poor, black and white, was outlawed. So why, when our society has come so far, do we still not let love be love? The Government must do the right thing and allow all Australian couples to enjoy equal opportunities under Federal law. We are a so-called free country. People are people. Love is love.”
Roy Freeman, founder of J4ME (the Jewish Community supporting Marriage Equality), welcomed Ilan’s support. “It’s great to see high-profile members of the Jewish community showing their support for marriage equality. Many people only hear the one-sided views of a small number of Orthodox Rabbis who continue to deride homosexuality. Thankfully those Rabbis are a small (but vocal) minority. The majority of our community supports civil rights, including marriage equality for same-sex couples.”