VOICES OF THE
SHOAH

Remembrance Of The Holocaust

of a couple without official decree.
Biblical Updating
"We lead very normal lives. We
The CCAR maintains that homosex-
have a station wagon and a house
ual practices were condemned in bib-
with a picket fence, a dog, our
lical times, but that Jewish tradition-
friends, our bank account, we mow
al texts were written in a different
our lawn," said Grossman. Even so,
historical context in a different time
"for some people the ceremony made
and place, and that basic Jewish val-
the difference. For me, it was a
ues must take precedence over what
bonus. The commitment was in my
the Bible describes as transgression.
heart — knowing we could do it and
Rabbi Sleutelberg said biblical pro-
that temple was there for
hibitions were concerned
us makes temple more
with specific homosexual
special. It gave us some-
practices, but not about
thing we didn't think we
being a homosexual. "Any
would get.
modern thinker could rec-
"Now members of
ognize Halacha [Jewish
Temple will know they -
law] is, in some ways, out-
can do it, too."
dated," he said.
Even with the knowl-
He sites the Talmudic
edge that a rabbi's deci-
example of "two consent-
sions remain personal,
ing monogamous lifelong
Ellias said he feels "it is
committed male partners,
important people know
who are subject to the
it's out there in writing.
death penalty, while a
Rabbi Arnie
Having it sanctioned offi-
male
pedophile who forces
Sleutelberg
cially is important. There
himself sexually and rapes
is a real validity to some-
a 9-year-old boy is not. Any enlight-
thing being written down."
ened person of our day would believe
Living the experience of the reli-
this makes no sense. I vehemently dis-
gious commitment, Ellias said that
agree with Halacha on this issue."
in January, he and Grossman spoke
The resolution encourages long-term
to a group of rabbis in Hueston
monogamous relationships as con-
Woods State Park in Ohio. In sup-
tributing to the strength of family life.
port of the issue, they participated
As Rabbi Kroloff wrote to CCAR
in a WRN presentation of the reso-
members: "In the past, the Torah was
lution to the annual meeting of
silent because the question of loving,
Great Lakes Ohio Valley Association
permanent, homosexual commitment
of Reform Rabbis.
could hot be conceived by
Rabbi Yedwab sees
most Jews until recently. But
conducting the commit-
the Torah is a living voice."
ment ceremony as taking
In addition to the issue
a first step. He views the
of same-gender officiation,
CCAR as "willing to be
the resolution includes the
trailblazers, leading the
issue of the relationship of
way." For him and for
a Jewish, same-gender cou-
Temple Israel, results of
ple being worthy of affir-
the vote will bring no
mation through appropriate
changes. But he said he
Jewish ritual. The resolu-
feels a "yes" vote may
tion also calls for the rab-
make an impact when
binate to develop sample
Rabbi Paul Yedwab
faced with an opposing
ceremonies or liturgies for
synagogue board. But
those who choose to con-
overall, he suggests, "freedom of the
duct them.
pulpit extends to the chuppa."
Temple Beth El's Rabbi Syme said
Rabbi Sleutelberg believes the res-
of the resolution, "It shows sensitivity
olution is the result of an evolution
to the personal integrity of each rabbi
within the movement on issues of
and at the same time makes a state-
gays and lesbians. The resolution's
ment of inclusion of all Jews in all
wording begins with the reminder
walks of life."
that "institutions of Reform Judaism
Rabbi Paul Menitoff, professional
have a long history of support for
head of the CCAR, said, "If it passes,
civil and equal rights for gays and
this will be a groundbreaking resolu-
lesbians."
tion in that a major religious body will
Since 1977, resolutions have been
have indicated its support for any of
passed supporting lesbian and gay peo-
its clergy who decide to officiate at
ple with regard to rights and protection.
same-gender ceremonies." ❑

.

VOICES OF THE SHOAH

REME misorANICIES Of. TINIII.HOLocAuST

THE FIRST AUDIO DOCUMENTARY OF THE HOLOCAUST AS
TOLD BY SURVIVORS AND WITNESSES

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