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Beyond the Fight for Marriage Equality
“DOMA’s principal effect is to identify a subset of state-sanctioned marriages and make them unequal…for it tells those couples, and all the world, that their otherwise valid marriages are unworthy of federal recognition.” – Justice Robert Kennedy, Majority Opinion in U.S. v. Windsor
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in this landmark case, declaring Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act – which defined a spouse as someone of the opposite sex and marriage as a union between one man and one woman – unconstitutional. Following this decision, there was a surge in the fight for marriage equality all over the country. There are currently 19 states along with the District of Columbia that have removed bans on same-sex marriage. Recently, states have been overturning bans on same-sex marriage every other week. It seems that the movement for marriage equality and LGBT rights is at its highest and most successful point. But it’s not.
Eye On The States: Marriage on the Ballot in MD, ME, MN and WA
November 6th is just under a month away and all eyes are on the contest to control Congress and The White House. However, throughout the country an array of important initiatives will be on the ballot this November including same-sex marriage initiatives in four states.
Mourning a Marriage
" When a man divorces the wife of his youth, even the altar of God sheds tears." (Gittin 90b)
A Brief History of Marriage
Although no wedding ceremony is described in the Torah, the institution of marriage began with Adam and Eve. The Book of Genesis portrays God as saying: "It is not good that man should be alone-I will make him a helpmate" (Genesis 2:18).
Senate Committee Passes DOMA Repeal
The Defense of Marriage Act bars federal recognition of same-sex
Reform Movement Welcomes 2nd Circuit's Ruling on DOMA
Rabbi Saperstein: "We oppose DOMA because of our unequivocal support for equal rights for all people, including the right to a civil marriage license, reflecting our understanding that the stamp of the Divine is present in each and every human being."
Reform Movement Welcomes 2nd Circuit’s Ruling on DOMA
This afternoon the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit handed down its decision in Windsor vs.
Focus on the Courts: New Supreme Court Term
This past Monday, as Jews around the world gathered together to celebrate sukkot, a different sort of gathering was occurring at 1 First St. NE in Washington D.C. – the Supreme Court began the first day of their new term.
Religion in Israel: Democracy and Pluralism Must go Hand in Hand
As the only thriving democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a beacon of light in a region often filled with despair. And yet, despite its democratic nature, when it comes to religious pluralism, Israel has a long way to go. In 1947, Israel adopted the Ottoman Millet system, formerly in place under the British Mandate, which allowed for religious groups within Israel to establish their own legal systems governing personal status laws (marriage, divorce, alimony, etc.) The URJ notes that there are presently 13 recognized religions in Israel, including Judaism, Islam, Druze, and several Christian denominations. Within the Jewish tradition, however, only Orthodox Judaism is recognized by the state under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. All other Jewish denominations, including Reform and Conservative, function under the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Discrimination Begets Poverty
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 20% of homeless youth are LGBT (even though only 10