March 24, 2003
Jews: Oy, Two Boys?

By STEVE FRIESS

Newsweek

Though Reform Judaism sanctioned same-sex marriages in 2000, the Conservative movement has not. But that could be changing. Conservative leaders have agreed to revisit a 1992 decision reaffirming their ban on same-sex weddings and the ordination of openly gay or lesbian clergy. The pressure to reconsider the issue has come largely from Conservative rabbinical students, 88 of whom wrote to the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards insisting that the Torah “can offer us a Jewish way of celebrating ... loving same-sex relationships.”

No decision is expected from the committee, a 25-rabbi council, until 2004. But if the pro-gay side gets six votes, rabbis will be allowed to decide for themselves whether to perform same-sex ceremonies and seminaries will be permitted to admit openly gay clerical candidates. Rabbi Elliott Dorff, vice chair of the committee, expects gays and lesbians to become “participants in the full spectrum of Jewish life” soon.

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