Rabbis and cantors urge action on gay marriage
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January 6, 2010
Thirty-two New Jersey rabbis and three cantors were among 120 clergy members urging state legislators to debate and vote yes on a bill approving same-sex marriage.
On Tuesday, NJ Senate President Richard Codey (D-Dist. 27) scheduled a vote on the measure for Jan. 7. Since last month, the bill has ping-ponged between the state Senate and House, and advocates worried it would not be acted upon before Jan. 19, when Gov. Jon Corzine (D), a backer of the bill, is to be succeeded by Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), an opponent.
In their letter to Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Dist. 5), the clergy members voiced their support in terms of religious freedom.
“In our nation founded on the separation of church and state, the State of New Jersey should not be in the business of telling faiths and clergy whom we can or cannot legally marry,” read the letter. “We take issue with the State’s current marriage law, which is not religiously neutral but reflects the beliefs of leaders of a particular faith community which opposes marriage equality.”
The list of Jewish signers includes clergy representing the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements, but not Orthodoxy. Orthodox rabbis from Lakewood and the Orthodox Union have spoken out against same-sex marriage, calling it a “radical change to a timeless institution.”
The following clergy signed the letter to Codey and Roberts:
Reform
Rabbi Joel Abraham
Rabbi Victor Appell
Rabbi Neal Borovitz
Rabbi Andrew Bossov
Rabbi Kenneth L. Brickman
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz
Rabbi Paula Feldstein
Rabbi Elyse Frishman
Rabbi Debra R. Hachen
Rabbi Alfred Landsberg
Rabbi Ellen Lewis
Rabbi David C. Levy
Rabbi Sharon Litwin
Rabbi Jordan Millstein
Rabbi Robin Nafshi
Rabbi Jonathan Roos
Rabbi Steven Sirbu
Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro
Rabbi Cy Stanway
Rabbi Ruth A. Zlotnick
Conservative
Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein
Cantor Meredith Greenberg
Rabbi David Greenstein
Rabbi Richard Hammerman
Rabbi Adina Lewittes
Cantor Erica J. Lippitz
Rabbi Randall Mark
Rabbi Esther Reed
Rabbi Francine Roston
Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu
Reconstructionist
Rabbi Jarah Greenfield
Rabbi Donna Kirschbaum
Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman
Renewal
Rabbi Leana Moritt
Same sex marriage bill defeated
UPDATE: The New Jersey State Senate defeated a bill Jan. 7 to legally recognize same sex marriage, 20-14.
The Orthodox Union, an opponent of the bill, released the following statement:
On religious principle we oppose the legal recognition of same sex "marriage" and commend the NJ Senate for this vote.
In addition to our religious values, which we do not seek to impose on others, we fear that same-sex marriage poses a grave threat to the fundamental civil right of religious freedom. Scholars and advocates on both sides of this emotionally charged debate agree that codifying same-sex marriage without providing robust religious accommodations and exemptions will create widespread and unnecessary legal conflict that will "reverberate across the legal and religious landscape."
Already, in states with same-sex civil unions and similar laws - including New Jersey - religious institutions, including churches, social service providers and youth groups have been penalized by authorities for their beliefs. Language in this legislation regarding the solemnization of marriages were wholly superfluous to the First Amendment of the US Constitution; they offered religious institutions none of much needed protection.
In her floor remarks, Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, a sponsor of the “Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act,” said the following:
Today, we have the ability to recognize the love and commitment that is shared by same sex couples.
“Unfortunately, we read so much in the news about broken families and broken homes.
“Yet, we deny people who love each other the right to officially share their lives as married couples.
“It doesn’t make sense.
“To my colleagues who are wavering…. do what is in your heart and in your conscience.
“Vote yes.
“Those of you who are pulled by religious principles must understand that this bill will not compel any religion or clergy member to do ANYTHING that they wish not to do, and thanks to Senator Baroni's amendments this has been completely clarified.
“But we should also acknowledge that there are large groups of clergy (including the Rabbi of my own synagogue) who want the ability to legalize such marriages within their own congregations.
“Before I close, let me just single out one person and one entity.
“This has been a long struggle and I suspect it’s a struggle that is going to have to continue.
“We are at this point because of the efforts of one organization Garden State Equality and its leader Steve Goldstein.
“The thousands of people who have come out to show their support in Trenton and across this State have been a needed face on this issue.
“The mothers, the fathers, grandparents and indeed the children themselves who live in such families.
“Whether gay, straight, in a partnership or simply aspiring to one… the members of Garden State Equality and all of these people in their own dignified way have reminded us all why this is so important.
“To them, I thank them for helping us get this far and I make them this promise, their day will come – whether it is today, their day will come, that I know!"
Comments
Cantor Marcia Lane
January 07, 2010
If this petition/letter had come across my desk, I would most certainly have signed it. I am a Conservative cantor, serving a congregation in mostly ‘conservative’ Monmouth County, but I feel very strongly about equal rights for same gender unions. Also, I feel that religious institutions should differentiate between our theological and denominational positions and the secular government: if people are opposed to same-gender marriages, then they shouldn’t have one! But our government, local or state or federal, should not be in the business of telling people who they can or cannot marry.
L’shalom -
Cantor Marcia Lane