Seminary paves the way for gay Rabbis

[buckthesystem]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4007309a4560.html

Seminary paves the way for gay rabbis

NEW YORK: A Conservative Jewish seminary in New York has agreed to admit gays and lesbians who want to become rabbis, but declined to take a stand on whether rabbis should officiate at same-sex unions.

The Jewish Theological Seminary announced its decision on Monday, more than three months after the Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards authorized the ordination of gays and lesbians.

While most Orthodox Jews ban same-sex unions or gay rabbis, and Reform Jews have accepted them for years, Conservative Jews have been split with sentiment growing for acceptance.

A survey commissioned by the seminary and released in January showed 65 per cent of Conservative rabbis in favour of allowing gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors compared to 28 per cent who were opposed.

"This is really historic. It took a lot of leadership," said Jake Goodman, a member of the Keshet, a group at the seminary that has advocated gay rights within the Conservative movement.

The chancellor of the New York seminary, Arnold Eisen, made the decision after consulting with hundreds of Conservative Jews, rabbis, cantors, educators, students and lay leaders from the United States and abroad.

"It was really respectful. The opinions are strongly held, but it wasn't a matter of raised voices or shaking fists," Eisen said.

Earlier this month the country's only other Conservative seminary

[roselady]

You know, this is a really tough thing for me to say. I know the Lord loves all people, gay or straight and he is color blind except to the condition of your heart. There he only sees black or white. Now, with that being said, and I am not posting this to be hurtful to anyone but being gay does break the rules a bit. Ya see, God made some laws that have to stand or we go extinct. They are called his Natural Laws. You can not break the Natural Laws of God without people getting hurt. Its sad but true, but you know what? Its never too late to repent and turn away from sin. God loves everyone of his children, even the ones who are confused.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4007309a4560.html

Seminary paves the way for gay rabbis

NEW YORK: A Conservative Jewish seminary in New York has agreed to admit gays and lesbians who want to become rabbis, but declined to take a stand on whether rabbis should officiate at same-sex unions.

The Jewish Theological Seminary announced its decision on Monday, more than three months after the Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards authorized the ordination of gays and lesbians.

While most Orthodox Jews ban same-sex unions or gay rabbis, and Reform Jews have accepted them for years, Conservative Jews have been split with sentiment growing for acceptance.

A survey commissioned by the seminary and released in January showed 65 per cent of Conservative rabbis in favour of allowing gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors compared to 28 per cent who were opposed.

"This is really historic. It took a lot of leadership," said Jake Goodman, a member of the Keshet, a group at the seminary that has advocated gay rights within the Conservative movement.

The chancellor of the New York seminary, Arnold Eisen, made the decision after consulting with hundreds of Conservative Jews, rabbis, cantors, educators, students and lay leaders from the United States and abroad.

"It was really respectful. The opinions are strongly held, but it wasn't a matter of raised voices or shaking fists," Eisen said.

Earlier this month the country's only other Conservative seminary