Reform Judaism is poised for a vote that could make it the most influential U.S. religious group to support clergy who perform same-sex unions.
A resolution sanctioning commitment ceremonies is expected to come up at the Central Conference of American Rabbis convention starting today in Greensboro.
In an unusual step, discussions will be held privately, a sign of the issue's volatility. A similar vote at the group's 1998 convention was dropped to head off potentially divisive debate. The group's 1,800 members serve at least 1.5 million Reform Jews, the largest and most liberal of Judaism's three major branches in North America.
The resolution, introduced by some female rabbis and endorsed by the conference's resolution committee, reads: -The relationship of a Jewish, same gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual. In accordance with the principles of Reform Judaism, each rabbi should decide about officiation according to his/her own rabbinic conscience.-
Supporters believe rabbis should affirm committed relationships between Jewish gays and lesbians as sacred, as they do for Jewish marriage.
-For a major religious group to pass a resolution that same-sex unions are worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish rituals, it would send a message to them that they are not abnormal,- said Rabbi Paul Menitoff, the conference's executive vice president in New York.
Menitoff expects a majority of the 500 rabbis coming to Greensboro will approve the resolution.
-This is not a women's issue or a gay or lesbian issue. This is a human rights issue,- said Rabbi Shira Stern, a co-leader of the 275-member Women's Rabbinic Network, which introduced the resolution in January. Stern said the resolution gives rabbis leeway in deciding whether to declare a same-sex union to be a marriage.
-For Jews who have no choice in the matter of sexual identity, we as leaders of the movement must provide them with the religious framework in which to celebrate their union,- Stern said. Opponents of the resolution believe it would disparage rabbis who believe same-sex relationships do not meet criteria for the Jewish concept of -kiddushin,- or a sanctified relationship between a Jewish husband and wife. Moreover, they warn it would alienate Reform Judaism from Israel, where it seeks stronger recognition, and create sharp divisions among rabbis.
Opponents are -not homophobes, we're not gay-bashing. We're not opposed to the dignity and Jewish integrity of gays and lesbians in our midst,- said Rabbi Clifford Librach of Temple Sinai in Sharon, Mass.
A possible compromise recognizing the diversity of opinion on the subject within the rabbinate is in the works, members of the Central Conference say. An alternative resolution backed by Librach and others urges the Reform rabbinate to -strengthen its efforts to seek justice for gays and lesbians in American society- by pushing for civil and political rights for partners, but stops short of sanctioning same-sex unions.
