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Liberal Judaism is pleased to announce that committed
same-sex partnerships between two Jews can now be recognised
by appropriate Jewish ritual and those Rabbis in membership
of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference who wish to
officiate at such ceremonies have its support to do so.
The Rabbinic Conference recognises that holiness may be
present in committed same-sex partnerships and in December 2005 created liturgy for same-sex commitment
ceremonies, entitled Brit Ahavah (Covenant of Love).
This development
places Liberal Judaism in the vanguard of institutions
offering equity and fairness to gay and lesbian partners.
The Liberal Judaism Council welcomed the timely policy
on this important issue and commended both the clarity
and the choices it offers to Liberal Judaism Rabbis and
constituent congregations.
As Liberal
Judaism stresses equality and inclusion, offers respect
to all conscientious options and encourages the synthesis
of Judaism and modernity, this addition to our accepted
practice is fully consistent with our ideology. Whether
or not a Rabbi participates in such an act of prayer is
to be determined by their own individual conscience. When
the ceremony is to take place in a synagogue, it must
be with due regard to the views of its rabbinic and lay
leadership. While these ceremonies remain an extension
of our inclusive nature, they have no status in either
Jewish or civil law.
When same-sex
partners are from mixed faiths, as in the case of heterosexual
partnerships, Liberal Judaism would stress the benefits
of the non-Jewish partner converting to Judaism, but would,
if the Rabbinic Conference’s conditions were met,
offer the couple a mixed faith blessing.
In the case where one partner in a same-sex relationship
is the natural or adoptive parent of a child and the intention
of the couple is to raise the child jointly in the role
of parents (providing the consent of any natural parents
involved in raising the child has been given) the couple
will be jointly recognised as the parents of the child
for religious purposes. Where those parents are of mixed
faith, the faith of the child will be determined in accordance
with the same Liberal Judaism policy that applies to children
of heterosexual mixed faith couples.
As the civil
legal status of same-sex partnerships evolves, the Rabbinic
Conference will consider the manner of registering and
de-registering them accordingly.
Liberal Judaism’s new policy
means that many gay and lesbian Jews, (roughly 10% of
our population), who were previously disenfranchised,
can now be more fully included in Liberal Jewish life.
This, we truly celebrate.
For information please contact Rabbi Aaron Goldstein on 07764 192 696 or contact your local rabbi |
