What about homosexual Jews?
Traditional Judaism considers particular common homosexual sexual
activities as an abomination (see Question [5]12.28). The more liberal
movements (such as Reform) make no statements about the sexual acts,
but do not feel that homosexuals should be discriminated against due
to sexual orientation. Great debates have raged on S.C.J regarding the
extent to which Jewish practices and congregational life should
include homosexuals.
Nevertheless, as with society as a whole, there are members of the
Jewish community who are homosexual. A [6]support page
(<http://www.usc.edu/Library/oneigla/tb/>) has been established on the
web for those individuals.
For additional information, readers might want to consult the
following links:
* Orthodox Jewish responses to homosexuality:
[7]http://shamash.org/listarchives/mail-jewish/Special_Topics/Homo
sexuals
* Essay by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Oxford, UK:
[8]http://www.shamash.org/listarchives/oxford-judaism/homosexualit
y
* [9]http://www.gayjews.org/. This is a web page and resource for
Orthodox/Traditional Jews who are homosexual. It also maintains
some resources from non-Orthodox rabbis, both official positions
as well as personal position papers.
Conservative Judaism has issued four separate teshuvot (responsa) on
homosexuality, all of which were used as backing sources for a unified
movement consensus position. The CJLS consensus position is that given
the current state of scientific, psychological and biological
information on the origin and nature of homosexuality, homosexual
relationships nevertheless can not be judged to be in accord with
halakha (Jewish law). Some of the responsa note that there are certain
leninencies in the law and potential legal novellae which may be
utilized, depending on new information which may be discovered.
In particular:
* The Conservative movement does not ordain homosexuals as rabbis or
cantors, because these positions are considered to be the most
important halakhic role models.
* The Conservative movement does not approve of homosexual marriages
or committment ceremonies.
* The Conservative movement does allow homosexual men and women to
otherwise participate fully in synagogue life and the Jewish
community. It sees homosexuality as the non-fulfillment of one
mitzvah - but there are 612 other mitzvot that are open to be
fulfilled. Conservative Judaism affirms that homosexual men and
women may lead prayers, have an aliyah to read from the Torah, and
may even serve as youth group counselors or Hebrew school
teachers.
The specifics of the Conservative responsa may be seen at
[10]http://communities.msn.com/JudaismFAQs&naventryid=118.
Reconstructionist Judaism has rejected the traditional view in all
areas relating to this issue: they view all restrictions on
homosexualiy as null and void. As such, they ordain homosexual Jews as
rabbis and cantors. The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
permits Jewish homosexual marriages and homosexual intermarriages.
The American Reform movement has rejected the traditional view in all
areas relating to this issue: they view all restrictions on
homosexualiy as null and void. As such, they do not prohibit
ordination of homosexual Jews as Rabbis and Cantors (although they
don't really make a point of asking anything about sexual preference
beforehand). With respect to same-sex union ceremonies, in 2000, the
Central Conference of American Rabbis issued a resolution that says:
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 Judaism have a long history of
support for civil and equal rights for gays and lesbians, and
WHEREAS, North American organizations of the Reform Movement have
passed resolutions in support of civil marriage 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
FURTHER 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.
Details on the history of this position may be found in [11]Section
18.3.8 of the Reform FAQ. You can search for the CCAR resolutions at
[12]http://www.ccarnet.org/reso/
Progressive [Reform] Judaism in Israel does not permit homosexual
marriages.
www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/02-Who-We-Are/section-20.html
