SPECIAL COMMENTARY

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Celebrate The Vote,
Not The Media Hype

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necessary step for their complete
he Central Conference of
inclusion in the Jewish community
American Rabbis, the
I congratulate the CCAR, but I do
Reform movement's tab-
not celebrate the media attention.
binic arm, passed a resolu-
This hype is not about the progress
tion last month stating that,
made by the gay community
"The relationship of a Jewish,
or the Reform movement.
same gender couple is worthy
wSadly, it tells more about the
of affirmation through
resistance with which
appropriate Jewish ritual."
progress is met and the con-
Virtually every newspaper in
tinued homophobia that our
the country covered this
society still faces. The gay
story. I congratulate the
community, even in the
CCAR for the passage of this
most progressive denomina-
resolution, but I am con-
tion in Judaism, is still fight-
cerned that so many people
i ing
g for the acceptance and
— Jewish and non-Jewish — ALEXANDER recognition granted to
M. BRILL
are so interested. Is this vote,
women and minorities gen-
Special to
as one wire service called it,
erations ago.
the Jewish News
really "groundbreaking"?
The barrage of media
The position that the
attention to this vote
CCAR has taken is not a
demonstrates that through-
radical one. This is not a resolution
out the United States, on an organiza-
calling the union of two gay Jewish
tional and individual level, we are still
individuals "a marriage," simply that it seeking answers to questions about the
is "worthy of affirmation." This is not
rights to which homosexuals are enti-
a resolution ordering Reform rabbis to
tied. The CCAR has successfully con-
perform ceremonies for gays; it only
fronted its opposition and shown
supports an individual rabbi's decision
national leadership in addressing gay
to officiate at such ceremonies — and
rights. Unfortunately, the body has
it supports those who choose not to.
also embraced the media's characteri-
This is a resolution passed after a
zation of the resolution as being
,
decade of acceptance of openly gay
'groundbreaking."
rabbis, in a day when acceptan - ce of
The CCAR would have better
gay marriages is being discussed in
served the gay community by insisting
state capitals around the country. This
that this resolution was no more than
resolution is a compromise between
a necessary, long overdue declaration
the Women's Rabbinic Network that
that gays are, quite simply, equal. ❑
introduced the resolution, and the res-
olution's opponents. A similar resolu-
WRONG To LAUGH from page 41
tion was tabled two years ago by the
CCAR because of the controversy it
raised.
discovery is an ugly phase, for plaintiff
This resolution comes at a time
and defendant, when you face each
when hundreds of Reform rabbis
across a lawyer's table ... and you say 'I
already have been officiating at same-
want to see your documents and you
sex ceremonies for years. What, them
can see mine.' And at that stage usually
is so groundbreaking?
the defendants crack up and cop out."
Certainly for same-sex Jewish cou-
I was wrong to laugh 20 years ago
pies and their friends, supporters and
when I first heard about deniers. I was
loved ones, the acceptance of gay Jew-
wrong to laugh when I opened the let-
ish commitment ceremonies is an
ter informing me that Irving was con-
important milestone on their journey
sidering a suit. And I was entirely
to full equality in the Jewish commu-
wrong to assume that it was just a nui-
nity. Gay and lesbian Jews are an
sance. It was far more than that.
important and integral part of the
But David Irving was far more
Jewish community, as are Jews of all
wrong than I if he thought that I
backgrounds. Extending to them all
would "crack up and cop out." I did
Jewish ritual opportunities shared by
neither. I fought this charge with all
heterosexual Jews is an important and
my strength. It was a demanding bat-
tle. Yet, on some level, it has also been
a surprisingly rewarding endeavor.
Alexander Brill co-chairs the Kehillah
It taught me much about evil, but
program for young adults at Temple
it also taught me about goodness,
Israel in Boston and is on the synagogue's
board of trustees. Professionally, he works friendship and about doing the right
thing. That too is part of this story. ❑
in public policy in Washington, D.C.

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