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Reform Rabbis Push
Gay Marriage Issue

DAVID ZEMAN STAFF WRITER

recent vote by a national
over same-sex unions, giving the
Reform rabbinical group issue limited religious signifi-
in support of civil mar- cance. "I'm not sure there was
riages for lesbians and
a reason for such a resolution. I
gays was either long overdue or
am not sure what prompted this,"
a needless foray into politically said Rabbi Hertz, reached at his
explosive terrain, according to the vacation home in Palm Springs,
sometimes divergent views of Re-
Calif.
form rabbis in the area.
"If I had to vote, of course I
"My opinion is that if two peo- would vote in favor of giving civ-
ple are living together and love il recognition to same-sex mar-
each other and are life partners,
riages, he said. "But I would
then why deny them medical ben- prefer that the issue not have
efits, why deny them the same been raised."
benefits that other couples have
The rabbi's ambivalence un-
under the law?" said Rabbi Dan- derscores the sensitive and po-
nel Schwartz of Temple Shir tentially divisive nature of the
Shalom. "If that's what a civil homosexuality issue in the Jew-
marriage will grant to them, why ish community. Even within the
would any religion stand in the
Reform movement, which has
way of that?"
been largely receptive to gay-
But Richard Hertz, rabbi rights issues, some rabbis de-
emeritus at Temple Beth El, won-
clined to publicly comment on the
dered why the matter was raised Central Conference vote.
at all. Rabbi Hertz noted that the
Orthodox rabbis have consis-
group taking the vote,
tently condemned ho-
the Central Conference
mosexuality, citing
Two le sbian
of American Rabbis, did
biblical law that refers
Jewish w omen in
not even address the
Philadelp hia show to same-sex unions as
question of whether
off their marriage
an abomination. The
rabbis should Preside covenant la st month. Rabbinical Assembly,

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