Rabbis Affirm Choice Reform rabbis support autonomy in decisions of same gender ceremonies. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN Staff Writer NEW 2000 VOLVO 5-80 , Sunroof & Leather Package, Cold Weather Package and Metallic Paint VOLVO MVO $ www.dwyerandsons.com 4 - MSRP $38,625- /mo DWYER $1,546 Due At Signing. Includes $475 Refundable Security Deposit. 248-624-0400 SONS VO LVO On Maple Rd., West of .Haggerty AND - OPEN SATURDAY 1041 *36 month closed end lease. 36,000 miles allowed. 15C per mile over 36,000. Tax & plates are additional. ,Y; eadafit 1 WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! 248.855.8747 6444 Call today for your free in-home consultation 4i 0" Formerly of The Closet Company, Inc. 4§Sitt*MIS.M.E.MMUSWAIMAMMKOS..,:.V.T.514,* .". Victorian Furniture Clearance! *.r UP 70% of-P. The Resolution 4 20 South Main (M-15) Clarkston • Phone 2 4 8-6 20-4300 • Bloom cAd Malin • REGISTERED ELECTROLOGISTS Come and let us remove your unwanted hair problem and improve your appearance. Near12Mile Rd. between Evergreen & Southfield 3/31 2000 22 Ask for Debby at - Julie Wiener of JTA contributed to this story . tland-carved mahogany. 14 UrIV... once they're gone, there will he no more at these low prices! Victorian Village A n overwhelming majority vote by members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis passed a resolution Wednesday regarding offici- ation at same-gender ceremonies. The voice vote took place in Greensboro, N.C., at the annual conven- tion of CCAR, the representative organi- zation of North America's 1,800 Reform rabbis. There are approximately 1.5 mil- lion Reform Jews in North Arnei-ica. Stating "that the relationship of a Jewish, same-gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual," the resolution calls for recognition of the diversity of opinions among the Reform rabbis on the issue. Approval of the resolution marks the official sanction by the Reform rabbinate of the individual choice of each rabbi as to such officiation. The resolution states support for "the decision of those who choose to offici- ate at rituals of union for same-gender couples ... and of those who do not." In not suggesting use of the word "marriages," the resolution also leaves the decision of terminology to the individual rabbis. In addition, there is a call to devel- op sample ceremonies or liturgy for those who choose to officiate. The resolution was developed and' '- proposed in March 1999 by the Women's Rabbinic Network of the CCAR, an o:rgaril izatiqn of 275 man rabbis. Rabbi -Shira-Sterfi" of South River, N.J., cO:president of the WRN said, "This is Much a civil-rights issue • as it is a religious issue and we believe that passing this resolution does a great deal towards strengthening Jewish fami- lies by recognizing the sacred relation- ship between two Jews, whether they be homosexual or heterosexual." Rabbi Denise Eger of West Hollywood, Calif, one of the co- chairs of the CCAR's Gay and Lesbian Rabbinic Network, said the resolution will "create the opportunity for spiri- tual fullness for gay couples." Eger, who underwent a Jewish commitment ceremony with her lesbian partner under a chuppa several years ago, also said the vote would "send a message of hope" to Jewish gays and lesbians, their friends and families. Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff of Westfield, N.J., president of the New York-based CCAR, was pleased with the results. Applauding the member- ship, he said the vote "demonstrates CCAR's continuing religious leadership by reaffirming that gay and lesbian Jews, and the committed relationships they form with their partners, deserve the recognition and respect due to peo- ple created in the image of God." Even before the resolution, many Reform rabbis, as well as Secular Humanistic and Reconstructionist ones, were officiating at such cere- monies. According to the handful of rabbis who voted against the resolution and even some Cho voted in favor, the move may harm Reform Judaism's cred- ibility among more traditional streams of Judaism and, possibly, Israelis. ED- 248 • 559 *1969 (Appointment Only) rY WHEREAS:justice-and human dignity are cherished Jewish values, and WHEREAS ; in March of 1999 the Women's Rabbinic Network passed a resolution urging the Central Conference of • American Rabbis to bring the issue of honoring, ceremonies between two Jews of the same gender- to the floor of the convention plenum, and WHEREAS, the institutions of Reform JUdaismrhave a long history of support for civil and equal rights for gays andrlesbians, and WHEREAS, North American organizations of the Reform Movement haVe paised resdurioniin support of civil mar- riage for gays and lesbians, therefore WE DO HEREBY RESOLVE, that the relationship of a Jewish, same-gender couple is worthy, of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual, and FUR- THER RESOLVED, that we recognize the diversity of opinions Within our ranks on this issue. We support the decision of those who choose to officiate at rituals of union fOr same-gender couples, and we support the decision of those who do not, and FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon the CCAR to support all colleagues in their choices in this matter, and FURTHER RESOLVED, that we also call upon the CCAR to develop both educational and liturgical resources in this area.