Show her you'll love her for the next thousand years...give her The Millennium Diamond. 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 STRICTLY LIMITED WORLDWIDE, A SELECT NUMBER OF THESE BRILLIANT DIAMONDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME AT TAPPER'S. Each Millennium Diamond is selected for its exceptional quality and is beautifully presented in a handsome brushed oval case. It comes with a GIA Certificate and Card authenticating its edition name and individual number. Mark the Moment 6337 Orchard Lake Road . West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-932-7700 . 800-337-GIFT fiction Of Rockers and Gliders Wood Rockers from .,.. $98.00 I 68.00 Gliders from Child's Rockers from .. .48.00 Rocker Cushions & Accessories FREE LAYAWAY WE SHIP ANYWHERE 2132.5 Telegraph (Between 8 & 9 Mile) Southfield (248) 948-1060 12/10 1999 20 36539 Gratiot Ave. 3337 Auburn Rd. (South of 16 Nile) (Between Adams & Squirrel) Auburn Hills Mt Clemens (248) 853-7440 (810) 790-3065 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."