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Valuing Inclusion
Temple Israel affirms policy allowing
same-gender commitment ceremonies.
Temple Beth El Rabbi Daniel Syme
said officiation of any kind, interfaith
or same-gender commitment, is a
matter of the individual conscience of
(firming a policy adopted
the rabbi.
last January, Temple Israel
Although never approached to per-
trustees passed
form
a same-gender union ceremony,
a resolution of inclusion
Rabbi
Joseph Klein of Temple Emanu-
stressing "the right of all Jews to par-
El said his response "to a gay or les-
ticipate in the religious life of the con-
bian couple would be the same as to a
gregation." This right allows use of
heterosexual one." He would perform
temple facilities for life-cycle events
the ceremony "as long as they are a
regardless of sexual preference.
part of the congregational family, are
Stressing the value of inclusion and
determined to being a Jewish family
diversity as a priority within Reform
and part of the Jewish community."
Judaism and the Temple Israel com-
Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of
munity, Jimm White, president of the
Temple Shir Shalom said both he and
3,200-family congregation, said
Rabbi Dannel Schwartz have officiated
Tuesday, "Years ago, we found it nat-
at commitment ceremonies. In the
ural to have women and interfaith
four years since he has been with the
families on our bima. This decision
congregation, they have performed
just follows a longstanding tradition."
two, officiating together. Both were
The Nov. 23 resolution states, "Any
for female couples.
Jewish individual may sanctify his or
"Our philosophy is just as it is for a
her loving relationship with a life part-
man and woman who ask God's bless-
ner through a Jewish religious ceremo-
ing on them in their love," Rabbi
ny (i.e., wedding, commitment cere-
Moskowitz said. "I don't marry all
mony, aufinuf ) at Temple Israel.
men and women (who come to me)
These ceremonies shall be conducted -
either. The ceremony must be Jewish,
in accordance with other existing con-
with both partners willing to have a
gregational policies and at the discre-
Jewish
home and raise Jewish chil-
tion of the Temple Israel clergy"
dren."
At Temple Israel, same-gender
Some clergy will call the celebration
unions will be commitment cere-
whatever
the couple prefers, be it
monies, White said.
commitment
ceremony or wedding.
Among local Reform congregations
Rabbi
Arnie
Sleutelberg of
offering same-gender union cere-
Congregation
Shir
Tikvah said, "I will
monies, the requirement in all cases is
happily
call
it
whatever
a couple wants
that the ceremonies be Jewish.
to
call
it."
Having
officiated
at 12 to
True to the Reform movement phi-
15 such ceremonies, he says, "I care
losophy, local Reform rabbis have each
much more about what it is Jewishly."
made their own determinations on
Responding to the fact that same-sex
presiding over such ceremonies.
A
SHELL' DORFMAN
Staff Writer
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Jimm White, Temple Israel:
"Years ago, we found it
natural to have women
and interfaith families
on our bima. This
decision just follows a
long-standing tradition."