Tag: Marriage Equality

JEWISH AUSTRALIANS SAY YES TO EQUALITY

JEWISH AUSTRALIANS SAY YES TO EQUALITY
SEPTEMBER 20 2017

Right now in Australia, there is a battle going on for the dignity and rights of people that happen to not be heterosexual.  The entire country is being asked to vote on the rights of one section of the community.  As Jews, we know too well the dangers of singling out one group of people, and refusing them the rights that are shared by all.  As Jews, we know too well the cost of silence in the face of discrimination and injustice.  We will not stand by in silence as part of our community is stereotyped, vilified, judged, treated differently.  We are all diminished when we discriminate against and demean the love between people based on their sexuality.  We are all strengthened when we support and uphold the rights of people to be treated equally.

We are proud to add our names to the growing list of supporters who recognise the right to love freely, and the right to be treated equally under the law.  We stand in support of same sex marriage in Australia.  Our community is diverse, and we owe it to all our members to know that they do not stand alone.

In a truly progressive and inclusive society, the rights of all people are respected equally. Currently in Australia the right to marry is denied to LGBTQI couples.  As Jewish Australians, we believe that there should be no law that discriminates against one section of our community.  We embrace diversity in our community and in society.

A no vote in this postal survey has no place in a pluralistic and secular country such as ours and would simply entrench discrimination against LGBTQI people.  We cannot say we believe in equality, but only in certain circumstances.  Therefore, we urge people to vote for fairness, respect and diversity.

Vote YES, so that we are all equal under the law.

To add your name to this list please email contact@aleph.org.au.

SIGNATORIES

  • Sandra Schneiderman, Secondary Teacher, working with and for the United Nations
  • Mark Cherny, Ophthalmic surgeon
  • Manny Waks, Victims Advocate
  • Max Gettler, Actor
  • Hinde Ena Burstin, Writer and Lecturer
  • Arnold Zable, Author and human rights advocate
  • David Burstin, Software Engineer
  • Emma Kowal, Research Professor
  • Shauna Sherker, Research Scientist
  • Deborah Cohn, Doctor
  • David Krycer, musician and teacher
  • Rebecca Krycer, artist
  • Sefra Burstin, Dance Studio Principal
  • Simon Gomolinski, retired
  • Lyndall Katz, trainer in Social Housing sector
  • Deborah Feldman, SAHM
  • David Laloum, IT manager
  • Sivan Barak, Social worker
  • Michelle Fink, Doctor
  • Sheree Waks, self-employed
  • Vivienne Porzsolt, community activist
  • Hedy Sussmann, student
  • Lara Sonnenschein, student
  • Linda Sonnenschein, lawyer
  • Denis Sonnenschein, engineer
  • Daniel Ergas, student
  • Noa Zulman, student
  • Jordy Silverstein, historian
  • Michael Zylberman, Chairperson, Jewish Labour Bund Inc.
  • Sandra Padova, retired
  • Bill Arnold,JP, Pharmacist
  • Judy Pincus, Aged Care worker
  • Beverley Olbourne, Doctor
  • Ros Goldman,retired
  • Hannah Fagenblat, retired
  • Dr David Zyngier Associate Professor SCU
  • Keren Tova Rubinstein
  • Zoe Feigen, veterinarian
  • Carla Magid, Teacher
  • Jewish Labour Bund Inc.
  • SKIF
  • Dvora Zylberman, Teacher
  • Reyzl Zylberman, Teacher
  • Olivia Frim, Student
  • Deborah Rosenberg, Social Justice Supporter
  • Nizza Siano, political activist
  • The Jewish Lesbian Group of Victoria
  • Renata Singer, writer
  • Shane Golden, Oncology Nurse
  • Joan Nestle, writer
  • Marion Singer, arts worker
  • Deborah Zion, Associate Professor and Bioethicist
  • Sue Beecher, psychologist, social worker, meditation teacher
  • Naomi Lisner Actor/Writer/Producer and Life Model
  • Anna Epstein, curator, editor
  • Debra nirens, Teacher assistant / massage therapist
  • Paul Russell, Academic
  • Mark Baker, Academic
  • David Danziger, Company director and performance motivation trainer
  • Sandra Hochberg, Social worker
  • Akiva Quinn, IT & Community Work
  • Jack Diamond, Chairperson, Box Hill Institute Group & Council of Adult Education
  • Robin Margo, ex founding editor-in-chief Plus61J
  • Anne Gawenda teacher
  • Abraham Weizfeld P.D. Canadian Bundist
  • Andrew Cohn, Circulation manager
  • Bruce Baker, Orthodontist
  • Michelle Baker, Practice Manager
  • Sylvie Leber, artist/musician and human rights activist
  • Esther Grinfeld, research scientist
  • Tessa Boucher, retired teacher
  • Karen Silverman, academic
  • Daniel Ari Baker, lawyer, World Trade Organization (Geneva, Switzerland)
  • Sabina Berman, company director
  • Paul Berman, company director
  • Leah Garrett, Professor of Jewish Studies at Monash University
  • Angela Budai, Union official
  • Daniel Goldberg, student
  • Gilad Cohen, Student
  • Michael Gawenda, journalist and writer
  • Nelly Zola, retired
  • Zina Sofer, photographer
  • Sandi Issacs, Nurse
  • Eve Rosenberg, retired
  • Helen Rosenberg, Equality Supporter
  • Husky Gawenda
  • Pip Mushin – Director
  • Feygi Phillips – Teacher
  • Zac Phillips – Student
  • Carly Rosenthal, Student
  • Noah Shilkin, Recording Artist
  • Russell Goldblatt, Student
  • Ginette Preston, Humanist
  • Robert Preston, Humanist
  • Shelley Rosen, Teacher
  • Larry Stillman, Senior Research Fellow
  • Debra Star, Tram Driver
  • Freydi Mrocki, Performer and Teacher
  • Sara Kowal, Lawyer
  • Ross Lomazov, Student
  • Joan Dwyer OAM
  • Joe Tigel – Director, Kadimah
  • Michelle Nachsatz, teacher
  • Michele Huppert, Psychologist
  • John Warszawski
  • Leah Boulton, Art Director
  • Pathways Melbourne
  • Marcia Jacobs, Teacher/Writer
  • Lionel Mrocki, Naturopath / Musician
  • Joel Nothman, data scientist
  • Sara Vidal, author
  • Jacqueline Geary, Retired
  • Avi Cohen, educator
  • Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg, human
  • Esther Jilovsky, Student Rabbi
  • Asher Preston
  • Yvette Coppersmith, artist and teacher
  • Helen Light, Consultant
  • David Slucki, historian
  • Helen Slucki, higher education administrator
  • Henry Monkus, Doctor
  • Talia Katz, Communications Specialist
  • Sylvia Haber, Teacher
  • Sasha Osowicki, nurse
  • Sholam Blustein, consultant
  • Natalie Blustein, sales
  • Solomon Bender, semi retired
  • Josh Osowicki, doctor
  • Cara Mand, researcher
  • Ros Harari, Student counsellor, family therapist
  • Marila Lustig, retired
  • Emma Shulman, teacher
  • Jason Shulman, teacher
  • Bram Presser, writer and lawyer
  • Siri Clemans
  • Leon Harari, IT consultant
  • Sharon Burstin
  • Dave Wynne, Engineer
  • Ben Mand President – Sholem Aleichem College
  • Devorah Koronczyk
  • Toby Bender, Musician
  • Tamar Simons, Jewish International Film Festival Manager
  • Fay Mest, teacher aide
  • Rabbi Allison RH Conyer
  • Melinda Jones, human rights lawyer
  • Tammy Goldwasser, Doctor
  • Jeff Robinson – Manager
  • Anthony Levin, Human Rights lawyer, Sydney
  • Wendy Gill – Disability/Mental health Case Manager
  • Gita Goldberg – Disability support worker
  • Gideon Preiss, Musician
  • Miki Iitake, mother of two
  • Dalit Kaplan, lawyer and storyteller
  • Suzi Riess, Doctor
  • Karen Loblay, Managing Director
  • Elise Hearst, writer
  • Janet Gluch Psychologist
  • Shiri Shapiro
  • Ms. Zvia Ben Rahamim
  • Linda Wachtel – artist
  • Sam Perla – Medical Practitioner
  • Lucien Richter – Lawyer
  • Goldie Zyskind, Loss and grief counsellor
  • Jack Strom – Producer, Director and Artist Manager
  • Raphael Dascalu – Researcher, translator, editor
  • Ben Guralnek – Estimator
  • Naomi Raymond Moss
  • Sari Schmidt – Website developer
  • Jessica Richter – lawyer
  • Irving Wallach, Barrister
  • Eytan Lenko – Executive Director
  • Andrew Gelbart, Human
  • Tirtzah (Therese) Kutis
  • Ben Silverstein, historian
  • Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS)
  • Susan Koutsky Retired
  • Danielle Hersz, IT Professional
  • Gabrielle shroot, writer
  • Leslie Shroot, consultant
  • Lisa Amitai, instructional designer and writer
  • Dr Ron Elisha, GP
  • Zara Seidler, student
  • Roger Velik, director
  • Robert Richter – QC
  • Shaynee Hall, Dance teacher
  • Jake Hall, PT
  • Adam Gomolinski, Consultant
  • Shelley Segal Singer songwriter
  • Nadine Davidoff
  • Michelle Szwarcberg
  • Elaine Davidoff
  • Sid Davidoff
  • David Neustein, director of Other Architects
  • Joshua Reuben, student
  • Zoi Juvris, program manager of Courage to Care
  • Savannah Juvris
  • Marc Kron
  • Nicole Myerson, psychologist
  • Ray Barnes, social worker
  • Miron Goldwasser Doctor
  • Bronia Witorz, retired teacher
  • Bindy Edelman, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
  • Michael Debinski
  • Toni Whitmont, sound healer
  • Michael Barnett, Equality Activist
  • Rose Blustein – Retired
  • Charles Shaie Blustein – Retired
  • David Langsam, Journalist/Editor
  • David Jones, Clinical Psychologist
  • Glenda Jones, Psychologist
  • Penelope Jones
  • Allan Preiss – consultant
  • Davina Cohen, social worker
  • Rabbi Jeffrey B. Kamins OAM
  • Eliza McCarroll – student rabbi
  • Benjamin Sheiman – Student
  • Dudy Margalit
  • Sylvia Jacobs
  • Moran Dvir
  • Ilana Snyder, emeritus professor
  • Kim Gotlieb – Psychotherapist
  • Essie Lustig – hospital admin
  • Talia Maayan – Paediatrician
  • Julia Blum – psychotherapist
  • Tom Hersz – Compliance Manager
  • Keshira haLev Fife – Kohenet (Hebrew Priestess) and Registered Marriage Celebrant
  • Tim Fife – Strategy Consultant
  • Rob Gould, art dealer
  • Kate Gould – Neuropsychologist
  • Anna Faiman – Campus Administrator
  • Jamie Hyams, Councillor – City of Glen Eira
  • Tali Rechtman, law graduate
  • Lee-Ronn Paluch, Veterinarian
  • Casey-Ann Wainer – Teacher, PhD candidate, Singer-Songwriter
  • Rosy Fischbein – Admin Manager
  • Jacqui Saunders – Production Controller
  • Cassandra Barrett – Mental Health Promotion
  • Dan Schroeder – Barber
  • Lois Brown – Assistive Technology Consultant
  • Stiofán Mac Suibhne – Lecturer
  • Stephen Camden-Smith – IT professional
  • Luke Power
  • Craig Carr, Public servant
  • Suzanne D. Rutland, OAM
  • Romi Kupfer, Theatre Director
  • Nina Rubinstein
  • Marilyn Kraner, Social Worker
  • Corinne Deitch – Art therapist
  • Alana Scherr, Jewess with the Mostess

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia: Statement on Same Sex Marriage

Statement on Same Sex Marriage

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia supports same sex marriage as part of its stand against discrimination. Based on the human right to equality, we believe that civil marriage under the Marriage Act should be available to all people, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliations and beliefs. We agree with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry that amending the definition of marriage in Australian civil law will not affect religious freedoms for those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage.

We encourage our members and community to take part in the plebiscite and promote equality and reduce discrimination. It is our hope that Australia will join the growing list of over 20 countries around the world where same sex marriage is legally recognized, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, in order to create a modern, fair and just society.

Victoria Nadel & Sylvia Deutsch OAM
Acting National Co-Presidents

Miriam Bass, President & Board
NCJWA (Vic) Inc

NCJWA Statement on Same Sex Marriage - 15 Sep 2017

Lyle Shelton exposed for falsely blaming marriage equality for the failings of a London Jewish school

Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Lyle Shelton is using a story about a Jewish private school in London to exemplify a so-called “consequence” of allowing same-sex couples the right to get married.

On Sky News[1] (Sep 3 2017; 8:27) Lyle Shelton said:

The school in London, the Jewish school which doesn’t want to teach their children these radical concepts, lost those rights. They failed three Ofsted tests. That’s the authority that regulates schools there.

On ABC Radio National Drive[2] (Sep 7 2017; 2:09) Lyle Shelton said:

In the UK the Jewish school was fine to teach their children what they believe the Jewish religion teaches about marriage. After same-sex marriage change, that school has failed 3 Ofsted tests – this is the government regulating authority – because it won’t teach this sort of material.

This story was reported on June 26 2017 by the Independent[3]:

A private faith school in London has failed its third Ofsted inspection for refusing to teach its pupils about homosexuality.

Inspectors visiting Vishnitz Girls School in north London last month said the Orthodox school does not give pupils “a full understanding of fundamental British values”, The Telegraph reported.

Pupils were not taught about LGBT issues such as “sexual orientation”, which are in breach of equality laws.

The story continued:

Ofsted makes clear that schools are not expected to “promote” ideas about sexual orientation or gender reassignment, but they are expected to “encourage pupils’ respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equalities Act”.

Shelton incorrectly asserts that the school was not able to teach their version of sexuality and marriage after same-sex marriages became legal in March 2014.[4]  Provisions in the Equality Act 2010[5], under which sexual orientation became a protected characteristic, and which predates the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, in fact explicitly states that the school has this right.

The school can’t get away with ignoring the law of the land, as if it doesn’t exist.  They failed to meet the standards because they refused to teach about sexuality.  A review of the audit reports, available on the Ofsted website[6], shows that the issue of teaching sexuality is only one of numerous standards that the school failed to meet.

In fact, the school had also failed to put in place the correct procedures for the safety of children.  That is, there was no system in place for reporting neglect or abuse of the students.  This is something that should be of great concern to all, and certainly an urgent need to be addressed as religious schools struggle with child sexual abuse.  Shelton makes no mention of these failures, nor does he mention any of the other many failures of the report.

With this in mind it is difficult to understand how the circumstances of this Jewish school in London are a direct or indirect consequence of changes to marriage laws.

These reports highlight the issues that the school was facing.  More important than the fact that they aren’t covering their responsibilities regarding equality and gender education is that the school has failed to meet the criteria for providing a safe environment for the children.  They fail to have policies in place that require the school to report incidents of abuse and neglect.

The safety of the children we would hope is paramount in any school, for it to fail in the basic understanding that they need protection should surely be the rally call, not whether or not they’re taught about sexuality.

The Equality Act was put into place in 2010 and schools in the UK received advice regarding the implications of the Act in the document called “Equality Act 2010: advice for schools”.[7]  That advice was published in 2013, and more importantly the advice notes:

As far as schools are concerned, for the most part, the effect of the current law is the same as it has been in the past – meaning that schools cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

This is important. It is clear that the laws already made it illegal for schools to discriminate on the basis of sexuality.  To connect the Equality Act of 2010 with Marriage Equality coming about in 2014 is mischievous at best and disingenuous to say the least.

The advice goes on to make this very generous concession to religious schools in regard to their view on human sexuality:

Schools with a religious character, like all schools, have a responsibility for the welfare of the children in their care and to adhere to curriculum guidance.  It is not the intention of the Equality Act to undermine their position as long as they continue to uphold their responsibilities in these areas.  If their beliefs are explained in an appropriate way in an educational context that takes into account existing guidance on the delivery of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) and Religious Education (RE), then schools should not be acting unlawfully.

It goes on to state:

However, if a school conveyed its belief in a way that involved haranguing, harassing or berating a particular pupil or group of pupils then this would be unacceptable in any circumstances and is likely to constitute unlawful discrimination.

In other words, the school is required to teach the full range of human sexuality, but on top of this it can also teach what its beliefs are regarding the moral position of its faith.

In summary, Lyle Shelton has deliberately twisted and distorted the facts in an attempt to mislead people to believe this Jewish school failed its three Ofsted tests as a direct consequence of allowing same-sex marriage.  His tactic of misusing news stories to substantiate his own homophobic agenda demonstrates the lengths the Australian Christian Lobby will go to to make the grotesque claim that allowing same-sex couples to get married will lead to the destruction of society.

Sources

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWK31X2gLSA&t=8m27s
[2] http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/same-sex-marriage-panel/8883574
[3] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/private-jewish-school-lgbt-issues-fail-ofsted-inspection-vishnitz-girls-london-orthodox-sex-british-a7809221.html
[4] http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26793127
[5] http://lgbt.foundation/Your-rights/the-equality-act-2010[6] https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/138516
[7] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools

The hypocrisy within the Jewish community of calling for a “respectful” debate (or silence) on Marriage Equality

On Monday September 4 2017 the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) issued a statement advising citizens to vote No in the upcoming federal government postal survey on marriage equality.  A backlash to this statement ensued, with no less than Rabbi Daniel Rabin, President of the council that issued the statement, and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry distancing themselves from the aforementioned statement.

On Wednesday the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) issued a statement calling for “a respectful debate in the lead up to the same sex marriage survey”.

Also on Wednesday Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, Senior Rabbi of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation and President of the Rabbinical Council of Australia and New Zealand, issued a statement explaining his rationale for participating in a position of silence on the postal survey.

On Thursday Rabbi Daniel Mirvis, Senior Rabbi of the Mizrachi Centre, issued a statement saying of the upcoming postal survey: “I plan on remaining silent on the matter”.

On Friday Rabbi James Kennard, Principal of Mount Scopus Memorial College issued a statement urging “all who choose not to remain silent to ensure that all comments, on all sides, are made with respect, sensitivity and understanding”.

By calling for a “respectful debate” the underlying message being sent is that debate must be respectful over whether the Marriage Act should continue to exclude same-sex and other non-heterosexual couples.  Ultimately this amounts to insisting on a polite conversation on the merit of legalised discrimination.

Engaging in silence on a matter of discrimination amounts to tacit endorsement of the status quo.

But what if the topic of conversation were not Marriage Equality, but instead the banning of non-medical circumcision, the banning of religious slaughter of animals, government support for BDS, or the removal of religious and racial protections?

Would it still be acceptable to have a debate, or maintain silence, on any of these topics, respecting the underlying premise of each issue?

Would Jewish community leaders stand around and silently tolerate the wider community respectfully debating the merits of these topics, with a laissez-faire approach to the conversations?

Probably not.

Yet it’s acceptable for some senior Jewish Community leaders to insist on tolerating a “respectful debate” or maintaining a silence over whether the government can continue to enshrine discrimination in the law against a marginalised and highly vulnerable minority group for no good reason.

And this isn’t double standards?  Where is the respect in that?

JCCV Calls for Respect and Decency in Same Sex Marriage Debate

JCCV Calls for Respect and Decency in Same Sex Marriage Debate
06 September 2017

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) calls for a respectful debate in the lead up to the same sex marriage survey.

JCCV President Jennifer Huppert stated, “We call for respectful behaviour from everyone, regardless of their views and beliefs on same sex marriage, and remind community organisations, community leaders and members of our community of the JCCV policy on respect when engaging in the debate.”

The JCCV policy on respect:

3.7.1 ACKNOWLEDGES the distinctive character of the Victorian Jewish community as part of the Jewish people worldwide, with a shared history, culture and religious tradition.

3.7.2 RECOGNISES that irrespective of the common traits that bind us as a community, Victorian Jewry is also diverse and pluralistic and that this is reflected in different, often strongly held views, on a range of issues affecting the Jewish and larger communities.

3.7.3 CALLS FOR respect for any such differences, while affirming that disagreement is only permissible in ways that do not vilify other persons or their views.

3.7.4 CALLS FOR abstention from any public or private conduct that incites hatred against, serious contempt for, revulsion, vilification or severe ridicule of, another person or group on the ground of their identity (including race, religion, colour, disability, sexual orientation, gender and national origin) or views of that other person or group.

Ms Huppert stated, “It is not acceptable to denigrate, insult or intimidate people, simply because they don’t share your views. Vulnerable people, especially young LGBTI people, must feel included in the community, supported and embraced.”

If you feel in the need of support, please contact:

Switchboard Victoria (LGBTI): 1800 184 527
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Jewish Care: 03 8517 5999

Rabbi James Kennard calls for respect when commenting on same-sex marriage survey

I will not be making any comment on the Same-Sex Marriage survey, or on the various public statements that have come from members of the community, since it is not my role, as a Rabbi, or a Principal or even a humble citizen to tell any other person how to vote.

I would urge all who choose not to remain silent to ensure that all comments, on all sides, are made with respect, sensitivity and understanding.

Rabbi Daniel Mirvis issues “statement” on marriage equality postal survey

7 Sep 2017 Mizrachi Centre non-statement on marriage equality

ט”ז אלול תשע”ז
7 September 2017

Dear Members,

Many of you will have seen statements by different Rabbis and Rabbinical bodies in the last couple of days about the upcoming postal survey.

I have not yet made any public statements and I plan on remaining silent on the matter.  This is because I do not see it as my role to tell you or anyone else how to vote.  Those who wish to seek my personal guidance are welcome to do so, as with any other matter.

The issues being discussed are very real and very personal for a number of members of our community.  I encourage everybody to be careful with their words and actions so that we as a community remain respectful and welcoming to all.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Daniel Mirvis
Senion Rabbi

Beit Aharon Synagogue statement supporting marriage equality

 

Please share the following statement:

The leadership team at Beit Aharon, together with Rabbi Shamir Caplan, want to make clear our views in light of the upcoming survey:
1. As a community we oppose all discrimination
2. Changing the law to have marriage equality will have no effect on how Judaism is practiced in our community or the broader Jewish community
3. Therefore a yes vote in the upcoming survey about Marriage Equality is the most consistent vote with our Shule values

Shira Hadasha expresses disappointment with the Rabbinical Council of Victoria’s statement against marriage equality

Shira Hadasha is disappointed to read the statement of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria encouraging Australians to vote no in the proposed postal vote on same sex marriage. The issue is of civil law reform which will not compel any religious leaders or institutions to conduct marriages outside the parameters of their established practice. Accordingly the statement is not necessary and serves no purpose other than to further hurt and marginalise LGBTIQ Jews and their families.

The suggestion that same sex marriage being legalised in other countries had “concerning impacts on the education system and religious freedom” goes well beyond the scope of the proposed change to the law and we question its factual basis.

As an inclusive orthodox congregation, Shira actively seeks ways to welcome all Jews into Jewish life and community, and to honour the core Jewish value of kevod habriyut, respect for the dignity of all people.

 

Rabbi Shamir Caplan issues compelling statement supporting Orthodox Jews who wish to vote Yes on marriage equality

 

CIVIL SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

For several years, this is the response I have given to people who have asked about whether it is acceptable for Orthodox Jews to support civil recognition of Marriage Equality.

Those who know me are aware of my strong stance on the importance of acceptance, inclusivity, and dignity for all people. Here, let me address the issue from a more legal-philosophical perspective, which I think has a broader appeal in the Orthodox community.

Let me begin by asking a different question. If we lived in a society in which Freedom of Religion was not enshrined in law, would it be permissible for Orthodox Jews to vote YES if asked about creating such a law? I think most people would say it is in fact permissible to support the enshrining of Freedom of Religion in law, even though practically, it legally allows people to do all sorts of things (such as worship idols) that would seem to be explicitly against the Torah. So how could we support this?

The answer is, in an open democratic society, the best way to preserve my Freedom of Religion, is to preserve EVERYONE’s Freedom of Religion. Even if it means, in the process of doing so, I am essentially defending the legal rights of people who will choose to use those rights in a way that I my find problematic. But that’s the way law works. It is meant to be consistent and impartial. So in the process of preserving my rights, I am also preserving the rights of others.

In fact, I would further posit that most would consider it permissible for Orthodox Jews to actively and publicly campaign for the instituting of Freedom of Religion in their place of residence, using the same rationale.

In my mind, the maximal expanding of rights for all, as a means of preserving one’s own rights, applies to marriage, as well. Let me give an example that is germane to Orthodox Jews. According to Jewish law, it is acceptable to marry one’s first cousin. Not that I specifically recommend this, but it is in fact one’s right according to our tradition, and it was not an uncommon reality in times past. Now, what would happen if our government were to decide one day that this should be defined as incest? (By the way, according to the Marriage Act in its current form in Australia, you are able to marry relatives. See here) Would we not protest that this was curtailing our rights to decide who we want to marry, as observant Jews? Would it not be better for the secular government to get out of the business of deciding who can and cannot marry (save for the protection of minors, etc)?

In this way, we can argue that the best way to protect our rights to marry whom we choose is to protect everyone’s rights to marry whom they choose…

It is for these reasons that I believe it is permissible for Orthodox Jews, regardless of their feelings about the permissibility of homosexuality, to vote YES in the upcoming survey regarding Marriage Equality.