Torah Portion/Synagogues Treat Gay Jews With Dignity Congregation Or Chadash. Similarly in the Talmud (Hullin no one is being victimized is not the 92A-B): "Vila says: 'The non-Jews proper function of a secular govern- [sons of Noah] ... accepted ... not to ment. God has granted human beings write a prenuptial document [ketubah free will to choose to act properly or — marriage contract] for improperly. Why do two males. It seems clear authorities of so many reli- (although the nature of the gions consider it their duty application of the prohibition to deprive people of their may be subject to interpreta- natural and legal rights to tion) that not only does the make their own decisions Torah prohibit (at least male — even if they are wrong? homosexual relations, not When the Jewish com- "being homosexual"), but also munity was monolithically the sages consider accepting observant (if it ever was), RABBI same-sex marriage the epitome then enforcement of reli- ELIEZER of an immoral society. Even gious standards of behavior COHEN granting all that (although, may have served as an effec- Special to the again, it may be subject to tive deterrent; but now, Jewish News interpretation), what these with so many lifestyle sources do not tell us is what options available to the to do about it now. non-observant individual, how can We, in contemporary times, lack the forced religion be seen as constructive? necessary institutions or authority to What are we afraid of? How can the carry out the prescribed executions. secular government granting legalized Furthermore, it is not at all clear that marriage" to same-sex couples such punishments were ever used. "destroy" or even "endanger" marriage Additionally, the sages spoke in an age as an institution? when religion and conformity were How can the exposure to love and imposed by the state, and personal commitment endanger anyone? Why freedom and individualism were not are there so many who insist on impos- appreciated as an absolute good. Today, ing their religious beliefs upon those asserting and protecting personal rights who are "not interested"? is seen as a moral imperative. Why can't we "mind our own busi- It should be clear from history, if ness" when consenting adults don't not from logic alone, that imposition harm anyone else? of religious standards of behavior when If the Torah-observant community CONSFIRVATIVE BETH ISRAEL (FLINT) Shabbat Acharey Mot-Kedoshim: Leviticus 16.1-20:27; Amos 9:7-15. I n both parts of this week's dou- ble Torah portion, the Torah delineates a variety of sexual prohibitions including the pro- hibition of sexual relations between males (Leviticus 18:22): "Do not lie with a male as with a female, it is an abomination" and (Leviticus 20:13) 'And a male that lies with a male as with a female; they both have commit- ted an abomination, they should die — their blood is upon them." Further, the Midrash Halachah (Sifro 132 on verse 18:3): "Like the deeds of the land of Egypt, in which you dwelled, you must not do and like the deeds of the land of Canaan, that I am bringing you to, you must not do and you must not follow their ways [laws]: and what do. they [the Egyptians and Canaanites] do? A man marries a man and a woman marries a woman ... therefore, it says: 'Do not follow their laws.'" Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE 29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 851- 5100. Rabbis: Daniel Nevins, Herbert Yoskowitz. Cantor: Howard Glantz. Rabbi emeritus: Efry Spectre. Cantor emeritus: Larry Vieder. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 8:15 p.m.; weekdays 7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. B'not mitzvah of Julie Schare, daughter of Agnes and Keith Schare; Alexandra Targan, daughter of Holli and Anthony Targan. AHAVAS ISRAEL (GRAND RAPIDS) 2727 Michigan St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506-1297, (616) 949-2840. Rabbi: David J.B. Krishef. Cantor: Stuart R. Rapaport. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. 2000 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 665- 9897. Rabbi: Robert Dobrusin. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.; weekdays 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m. CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM CONGREGATION BETH AHM BETH TEPHILATH MOSES . 54 BETH ISRAEL (ANN ARBOR) CONGREGATION 31840 W. Seven Mile, Livonia, (248) 477-8974. Cantor: David Gutman. President: Larry Stein. Vice presidents: Martin Diskin, Al Gittleman. Services: Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. 5075 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 851-6880. Rabbi: Charles Popky. Ritual director: Joseph Mermelstein. Rabbi emeritus: A. Irving Schnipper. Cantor Emeritus: Shabtai Ackerman. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m., 8 p.m.; weekdays 7 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sundays and civic holidays: 8:15 a.m., 5 p.m. Bat mitzvah of Lisa Shapiro, daughter of Margie and Steven Shapiro. 2004 G-5240 Calkins Road, Flint, 48532, (810) 732-6310. Cantor emeritus: Sholom Kalib. President: Leonard Meizlish. Services: Saturday 9:30 am., 6 p.m.; weekdays 7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 8 a.m., 6 p.m. Ivriah religious school (810) 732-6312. 14601 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 547-7970. Rabbi: David A. Nelson. Cantor: Samuel L. Greenbaum. Ritual director: Rev. Samuel Semp. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m., 5 p.m.; weekdays 7 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Bar mitzvah of Joseph Max Lichterman, son of Susan and Mark Lichterman. Monthly children's birthday blessings. Minchah bar mitzvah of Bradley Andrew Korn, son of Sheryl and Richard Korn. BEIT KODESH 4/30 " 146 South Ave., Mt. Clemens, 48043, (810) 465-0641. Services: weekdays 7:15 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE 6800 Drake, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 788-0600. Rabbi: Elliot Pachter. Cantor: Earl Berris. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 7:30 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 7 a.m., 6 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 9 a.m.; Sunday 6 p.m. Bar mitzvah of Gabriel Pachter, son of Rabbi Elliot Pachter and Naomi Weckstein. ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN SYNA- GOGUE 1457 Griswold, Detroit, 48226, (313) 961-9328. Chazan: Cantor Usher Adler. Baal Kriah: Rabbi Craig Allen. Cantorial soloist: Neil Bards. Ritual director: Dr. Martin Herman. President: Dr. Ellen Kahn. Services: Saturday 8:30 a.m. CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK Rabbis: Joseph H. Krakoff, Jonathan E. Berkun. Rabbi emeritus: Irwin Groner. Cantor: Chaim Najman. Ritual director: Leonard Gutman. Southfield: 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, 48034, (248) 357-5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 a.m.; Monday, Thursday 7:15 a.m.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 8:45 a.m., 8 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. B'not mitzvah of Ali Nicole Firsten, daughter of Cindy and Robert Firsten; Leslee Rachel Klein, daughter of Diane and Steven Klein. West Bloomfield, B'nai Israel Center: 4200 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323-2772, (248) 357-5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:15 a.m.; Monday, Thursday 7 a.m.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 8 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Bat mitzvah of Sasha Rachel Zeidner, daughter of Jane and Stanley Zeidner. TEMPLE ISRAEL 2300 Center Ave., Bay City, 48708; (989) 893-7811. and its leadership are truly committed to their religious obligation of "all Jews are responsible for the Torah obser- vance of all other Jews" (Shavuos 39A), then we must realize that causing resentment and alienation does not lead to more and improved Torah observance (neither here nor in Israel). We cannot influence people that we do not treat with dignity and respect except in a negative way. Being sanctimonious and judgmen- tal simply "turns people off." Torah observance can be fostered in this day and age only by example. If we, through our behavior and attitude, demonstrate that a life of Torah obser- vance truly demonstrates Godliness and promotes real sanctity, then the world would want to emulate us. ❑ Conversations What should be the proper limits in legislation and government enforcement of religious stan- dards when no victimization takes place? Is freedom of (and from) religion an absolute good? What should be the parameters? Is a theocracy a viable modern form of government? Why? ..k;\ M .41 Cantor: Daniel Gale. President: Dr. Jonathan Abramson. Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m. A liberal, egalitarian congre- gation serving the tri-cities area. Religious and Hebrew education programs for children and adults. INDEPENDENT AHAVAT SHALOM 413 N. Division St., Traverse City, 49684, (231) 929-4330. Rabbi: Chava (Stacie) Bahle. Weekly Shabbat celebrations, holidays, year round programming, children's education. Summer programming for downstate visitors. GROSSE POINTE JEWISH COUNCIL (313) 882-6700. Rabbi: Nicholas Behrmann. Cantorial soloist: Bryant Frank. JEWBILATION P.O. Box 130014, Ann Arbor, 48103, (734) 996-3524 or 995-1963. Rev. Lauren Zinn. Services: Friday 6:15, fol- lowing dinner. Jewish Roots with Interfaith Wings holds bi-monthly Shabbat dinner, services, kids' programs, fam- ily school and Hebrew school for all ages. ORTHODOX AGUDAS YISROEL MOGEN ABRA- HAM 15751 W. Lincoln, Southfield, 48075, (248) 552-1971. Rabbis: Dov Loketch, Asher Eisenberger. President: Irwin Cohen.