The highest legal body in Conservative Judaism has voted to allow the ordination of gay rabbis and the celebration of same-sex unions, according to The New York Times.
Regarding homosexual conduct, Gay City News reported that the committee fell in line with the Torah's ban on same-sex anal intercourse, but stated that other sexual behavior involving two gay men or two lesbians is consistent with Jewish tradition.
Traditionalists have denounced the decision, which followed years of debate. More liberal individuals, however, saw the development as a sign of progress.
However, the 25 rabbis on the law committee passed three conflicting legal opinions—one in favor of gay rabbis and unions, and two against—that truly reflected the divisiveness among the conservative Jewish community over the subject of homosexuality. The decision essentially allows individual synagogues to decide their positions on the rabbis and commitment ceremonies.
In protest, four Conservative rabbis resigned from the law committee, saying that the decision violated Jewish law, or halacha.
Conservative Judaism occupies a central perch between the liberal Reform and Reconstructionist movements and the more traditional Orthodox.
According to The Washington Post, there are five seminaries that ordain Conservative rabbis. One of them, the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, is expected to begin ordaining gays in the near future.
Openly gay rabbi Joshua Lesser, on sabbatical from Atlanta's Congregation Bet Haverim, said that he is 'torn by this recent decision' in a missive to Windy City Times. 'On one hand, many colleagues ( and future colleagues ) in the Conservative movement will be able to be out as rabbis and no longer compromise their spiritual leadership by the ills of life in fear of being discovered. However, in an attempt to appease both those in the movement that are allies to GLBT people and those that are detractors, we have a confused statement that allows for commitment ceremonies [ and ] ordination but restrictions on sex.' He described this latest development as 'a Band Aid on a cracked dam,' and added that ' [ i ] t is hard to fully support a decision that only recognizes partial humanity [ for ] GLBT people.'
Local reaction has been approving—to a point. 'Though it may not go as far as I would like, I applaud the decision ( s ) ,' Rabbi Larry Edwards of the LGBTA-geared Congregtaion Or Chadash, 5959 N. Sheridan, stated to Windy City Times via e-mail. 'I know that my Conservative colleagues have been wrestling with these issues for a long time, and clearly will continue to wrestle with them. I believe that the new openness is driven ultimately by the force of Judaism's fundamental commitments to justice and inclusivity.'
In addition, the Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Conservative Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N. Broadway, also welcomed the Dec. 6 ruling. Siegel felt that the development showed that 'we can civilly agree to disagree.' His synagogue has held at least one same-sex rite.
