Rabbinical Students Form New Gay/Straight Alliance in Jerusalem

Here in Los Angeles, I'm involved with a community called IKAR - more than a synagogue, it's a community of people who are passionate, diverse and committed to social justice and activism. Although the majority of IKARites (and the community itself) falls denominationally under "Conservative," the commitment to activism crosses denominational lines. (And yes, they're on Twitter: follow them at @IKAR_LA.) 

Some of those community members are now in Israel, and discovered that as excited as they were to be in Israel, it would be better to have IKAR with them. They founded B'nei IKAR, for members of LA's IKAR community living in Israel.

Switch over to the Jerusalem Open House - where members of Jerusalem's gay and lesbian Jewish community have found a home and safe space to be Jewish. Rabbinic interns at Jerusalem Open House have been working to create the first-ever interdenominational gay-straight rabbinical student alliance. It will bring together students from JTS, Ziegler (Conservative rabbinical school in Los Angeles), HUC (Israeli and overseas), Machon Schechter, Hebrew College, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and RRC. The programs will likely include such things as panel discussions/debates, professional development sessions for creating open and welcoming communities in our respective denominations. 

This Shabbat, B'nei Ikar and Jerusalem Open House are joining forces for what they describe as "a soul stirring evening of prayer, music, and a deep recognition towards tolerance." (Complete information - and more about this initiative - after the jump.)

What's Israel's Masorti Movement's position on gay issues? In an email, Rabbi Andy Sacks, head of the Rabbinical Assembly in Israel, explained the complex situation: 

In some ways Israel is out front on issues related to the LGBTIQ community.  Yet when it comes to the religious communities (and this holds true among the Palestinians too) we are behind.  There are no gay-straight alliances in any of the high schools. There are no functioning gay synagogues - although there are some small davening events with growth potential.

While the Masorti/Conservative Movement in Israel is gay-friendly (e.g. no discrimination in hiring, rabbis may choose to perform commitment ceremonies, NOAM youth group partners with the gay center for programs,etc), ordination of out gays has not come to our Movement in Israel. Hopefully the presence of gay rabbinical and cantorial students who study here for the year, will lead those who make the decisions about admissions policies for the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary see the benefits of a change in policy.

Yosef Goldman, one of JOH's rabbinic interns and founder of the initiative, noted that partnering with IKAR/B'nei IKAR was a natural, he said. "The alliance is based on the firm belief that the broader Jewish community cannot truly be a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community, without the full inclusion of all members." 

Ideally, he explained, the endeavor would "have members from every movement, Israeli and Diaspora, regardless of one’s halachic assumptions about homosexuality." 

"A major focus in forming this alliance is professional development, social justice and advocacy related to the needs of gay and lesbian members of our community," he continued, "but we’re starting with Shabbat services, divrei Torah, dinner and song to remind us that, ultimately, our spiritual activism is in the service of creating holy community."

Click the link below for details.

Opening Event- Kabbalat Shabbat & (Vegetarian/Dairy) Potluck, Dec. 4
Parashat Vayishlach, at 4:15pm
At Jerusalem Open House: 2 Hasoreg St., 1st floor (2nd floor for Americans), near Kikar Hachatulim and Rechov Yaffo.

Comments

[Chris M]

This tolerance is nice Esther. Sadly, when it comes to gays and lesbians, some Jews just like some Muslims and some Christians base hateful bigotry on religious writings and tenets. Any move toward acceptance of all orientations is good (of course).

[Meir]

Wonderful. Hopefully the students can light the path for other institutions.
Why does the Conservative Movement, which seems so open, have a Rabbinical School which is not?

[Esther]

Thanks for your comment, Chris - I agree, hatred and bigotry are not the way.

Meir, I'm sure you know it's complicated - the Conservative movement is tethered to liberal Judaism on one side and more conservative tradition on the other side. Hard to serve both populations, and at some point there may be a split. I guess we'll just have to see how it develops....

[Chris M]

You're welcome Esther. You and I are members of the one group which can be ridiculed and stereotyped with impunity :-(. That's right, Jerseyites. Have you seen "The Jersey Shore" on MTV? Makes our oft put upon state - look even worse!