Reform Movement Welcomes Ruling in Marriage Equality Cases
Rabbis Jacobs, Fox, Feldman and Saperstein: "There is no more central tenet to our faith than the notion that all human beings are created in the image of the Divine, and, as such, entitled to equal treatment and equal opportunity.
Marriage Equality and Passover: "From Degradation to Praise"
This Passover, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear two cases that have enormous impact on equality and liberty in our country. On the first two days of Pesach, oral arguments in California's Prop 8 case and the Defense of Marriage Act case will be heard.
Podcast: Why Marriage Equality is a Reform Jewish Value
Hear why marriage equality is a Reform Jewish value.
Let My People Go... Forth to the Wedding Chapel!
As a rabbi and president-elect of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, I come here to be with you this morning at the Supreme Court on the very first day of Passover to say: Our nation is ready for marriage equality. This is one of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar. It marks the day in Jewish tradition when we mark the Exodus from slavery in ancient Egypt; it marks the beginning of a journey to freedom. Today is our day to march toward that freedom, the freedom to marry. I represent more than 2,500 Reform rabbis. We support marriage equality and have filed Friends of the Court briefs in both today's Prop 8 case and tomorrow's DOMA case. Do not let others tell you that all religions oppose LGBT equality rights. We Reform Jews welcome, support, include, and, yes, advocate full rights and equality, including the right to marry the ones we love.
On Yesterday's Grief and Today's Rejoicing
What a rollercoaster of a week. Yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act.
Judaism, Homosexuality, and the Supreme Court
Any moment now, the United States Supreme Court is going to decide on two cases that involve same-sex marriage. Advocates on both sides of this issue are anxiously awaiting either a moment of celebration or of despair. Of course, it is possible that they will get neither.
All Aboard the Peace Train!
Now I’ve been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come,
And I believe it could be, something good has begun.
Let Your Sermon Be Your Sword: Celebrating LGBT Pride Month in Our Communities
A few years ago, while serving as student cantor at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in NYC, a synagogue for all gender identities and sexual orientations, the trajectory of my professional life was changed in an instant.