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Reform Judaism Grants Approval to Same-Sex Unions

Historic Vote: Central Conference of American Rabbis

Liberal Religious Branch Serves Million-&-a-Half Jews

Compiled By GayToday

rabbigay.jpg - 6.92 K Greensboro, North Carolina--Gay and lesbian Jewish and Christian leaders across the world, praised Wednesday's historic resolution by Reform Judaism which grants to its rabbis the option of presiding at gay and lesbian marital and/or commitment ceremonies.

The resolution was arrived at by way of an overwhelming voice vote conducted at a plenary meeting of Reform Judaism's Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Rabbi Paul Menitoff, the executive vice president of the Central Conference, stated, "It's no honor to be heterosexual, no sin to be homosexual. It's just who we are."

Rabbi Charles Kroloff, president of the Conference, stated that the resolution reflects Reform rabbis' awareness that ``gay and lesbian Jews, and the committed relationships they form with their partners, deserve the recognition and respect due to people created in the image of God.''

Reform Judaism is the largest of the three major branches of Judaism in North America which include Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. One thousand-eight-hundred rabbis preside over congregations totaling 1.5 million persons.

Rabbi Eric Weiss, speaking for the Gay and Lesbian Rabbinic Network said: "This is a call to all religious denominations to bring the same prophetic voice to lift our nation from the bonds of prejudice to embrace all members of the American family."

Although The Torah forbids males-only sexuality, liberal Reform Judaism already has lent support to same-sex civil unions and as long as a decade ago had approved openly gay rabbis. It has not been uncommon for Reform rabbis to officiate approvingly at same-sex commitment ceremonies.

The next step to be taken by Reform Judaism will revolve around its development of ceremonies, including a reliance on Jewish rituals, to be used when people of the same gender commit themselves to each other.

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Related Sites:
Central Conference of American Rabbis

Universal Fellowship of Metropolita

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In the Christian tradition, only the Unitarian Universalist Association has officially endorsed decisions by its clergy to perform same-sex unions. The UUA represents a dogma-free branch of modern Protestantism.

Rabbi Menitoff explained that "the breakthrough is that it's a major religious group that says it will support its rabbis if they participate in these ceremonies."

Pioneering Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, noted: " Despite the recent setback in the passage of California's Proposition 22, which was a ballot opposing same-sex marriages, we know that this vote by the Central Conference of American Rabbis is proof that the civil rights of the LGBT community can no longer be considered substandard or inconsequential. We are worthy of affirmation and recognition."