Conservative Jewish Seminary to Allow Gays to Become Rabbis
- Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:05pm by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Conservative Jewish seminary in Israel says it will allow gays and lesbians to become rabbis, overcoming years of opposition by many of its own leaders and setting up a new point of contention between the movement and Israel’s Orthodox establishment.
The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, affiliated with Israel’s Conservative Jewish movement, announced it would begin accepting gay and lesbian rabbinical students in Jerusalem this fall. The decision late Thursday ended a rift with the Conservative movement in the U.S., which began accepting gay and lesbian rabbinical students in 2006 and ordained its first openly lesbian rabbi last year.
Like other branches of Judaism, Conservative Judaism – a major denomination in the U.S. but a marginal force in Israel – has faced calls for greater openness toward gays and lesbians, despite biblical prohibitions on homosexual conduct.
The wording of the movement’s announcement hinted at the fiery debate that preceded it.
“In the Conservative world, there are rabbis who accept ordination of gay and lesbian students as well as those who do not,” the statement said. “The decision is the result of a long process that included broad consultation and a search to find a consensus among differing opinions that will allow continued cooperation.”
Professor Hanan Alexander, chairman of the seminary’s board of trustees, said the decision “highlights the institution’s commitment to uphold Jewish religious law in a pluralist and changing world.”
The Conservative movement interprets Jewish law more strictly than the liberal Reform movement, but its ordination of female rabbis and other nontraditional practices are not accepted by more stringent Orthodox Jews.
D’ror Chankin-Gould, 28, a gay student at the American Jewish University, the movement’s rabbinical school in Los Angeles, said the decision was “something that we’ve been dreaming of for years.”
“It’s just been a lot of pain and a lot of tears and a lot of years to get to this place,” said Chankin-Gould, who is in Israel for a year of religious studies. “We have now an opportunity for more committed, wonderful teachers to rise up in Israel and to teach their Torah and to model for Israeli society and for the Jewish people what it means to include all of our voices.”
The Reform movement – the largest Jewish denomination in the U.S. – and the much smaller Reconstructionists began ordaining gay and lesbian clergy decades ago. No Orthodox rabbinical institution currently admits gay and lesbian students.
Israeli law gives exclusive jurisdiction over the ordination of clergy, marriage and divorce to Orthodox rabbis, who generally consider homosexuality an abomination. The Orthodox rabbinate here has strenuously resisted inroads by the liberal streams, refusing to recognize their rulings, conversions or ceremonies as religiously valid.
The decision to ordain gay and lesbian clergy drew fire from the ultra-Orthodox community.
“In my opinion, it’s a grave mistake,” said Shaar Yeshuv Cohen, the chief rabbi of the northern city of Haifa. “It’s a violation of the Bible.”
There was no formal comment from the chief rabbinate, but an official there, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that only the Orthodox chief rabbinate can ordain rabbis in Israel.
Others “can perform ceremonies until the end of time, but they aren’t valid,” he said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to issue an official comment.
Michael Melchior, an Orthodox Israeli rabbi and former lawmaker, said he could “appreciate” the movement’s outreach to its gay and lesbian members.
“I think they took this decision out of consideration for people who are homosexuals and lesbians, and wanted them to be able to be ordained,” said Melchior, whose views on religion and politics are more liberal than the Orthodox establishment’s.
“To the extent that it expresses empathy toward the individual, then it is a decision that I can definitely understand and I can appreciate it.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 676 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 527 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 404 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 372 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 328 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 266 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 276 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 150 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 266 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (97)
poverty.sucks
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:29pmLook around, Gay people force their way into every issue and become the center of everything that is paganism, anything that performs or operates and lacking faith in Christ the Savior.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:03pmHow Kosher. .and didn’t they list Obama as one of the top 50 most influential men in the world..and don’t they lean liberal?…..
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 9:33pmGod accomplishes his purpose through sinful people.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:05pmCongratulations… you have just AID(ed) in the advancement of the Communist Manifesto!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 11:47pmGod regularly reminds his people that He will not tolerate sin.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 9:32amI love gays and lesbians. I just HATE the sin, as God does. Unless they REPENT, and turn away from their sin, and turn to Christ, they will die in their sins. This is, of course, another sign of the last days, before Christ returns. As Romans Ch 1 V26-32 so clearly states, God will give MANY of them up to their lusts,and vile affections, but there is Salvation for any who REPENT, and accept Gods’ unmerited Grace, by sending HIS SON, Jesus Christ to die for our sins’. I very much pray they do so.
Report Post »Maranatha
miketype1each
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 11:24pmIs tantamount to electing an arsonist to the presidency of your homeowner’s association, but with much graver consequences.
My, how the people can be deceived. But as I’ve recently discovered in the parable of the wheat and the tares, there are those who simply will not be saved. So, we must continue to live here until the day comes when we’ll be separated.
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:16pmWell, if you’re going to have homosexuals in religious organizations, a seminary sounds like the right place.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:03pmDon’t you mean… semenary?
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:06pmDon’t know why I am surprised — people are people and have not changed since the beginning. They are doing what the “Christian” churches are doing and falling into apostasy as Jesus predicted & scriptures warn. No, libs — sorry — we don’t “evolve” into “better” people. Guess that’s why God put down His warnings/commands about all that since the beginning also. Nothing new.
Report Post »Always such a problem to require some self-discipline, trust God for help and healing, obeying even though you don‘t understand and don’t agree in our human way of thinking. Newsflash – one does not need to have sex to live. God can and will help (testimonies out there to prove it) — if you have surrendered your life to Him. He loves you more than other people or yourself. Eternity is much longer than our life here on earth. Oh well………I know, wasting my time & effort but I’ll pray anyway.
moreteaplease
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:04pmThis should be delightful news to the Iranians.
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:03pm@vehoae, That certainly seems to be the case here. They are not taking what these teachers are saying and weighing it against what God says, and that’s a very dangerous thing to do.
Report Post »hangthebastids
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:21pmjust make up and follow whatever bs ya want to…
adjustable religion…love it.
Report Post »iampraying4u
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:43pmAlmost as bad as the catholic church
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:52pmThere’s only one direction towards Christ as in being a Christian, following Biblical Scriptures as prescribed by God. Every religious institution created by man is tainted with sin and therefore subject to false misinterpretation of Gods commandments. Christians are not called to be tolerant of those who act foolishly against righteousness. God isn’t religious, he is omnipresent, everywhere. A lot of people try very hard to avoid Him.
Report Post »edmundburk
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 4:20amhey prayin for u- do you come on thisz site just to bag on catholics?! remember after obama kills the catholic church, YOUR NEXT, YOU POS!
Report Post »YoshiFD3S
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:21pmWhat the hell is the purpose of saying you believe in or observe a religion….if you’re basically NOT obverserving the religion by agreeing with or at least TRYING to live by itss very dinstinct guidelines/principles???
The question is “Can you be homosexual and Jewish, Christian, or anything?” and quite frankly….MY answer is “No”.
Who gives a damn what these “leaders” say…if the faith you claim to be attached to tells you something is wrong and you still do it WILLINGLY….then how on earth can you stand there and still claim to belong to that faith??
You’re a misrepresentation of the faith, at that point…simply picking and choosing the parts of the faith that YOU want to believe in or practice. You are are lying to yourself and others when you claim to represent a faith that is based on key principles that you don’t even observe!
This kind of stuff just ****** me off to no end…
These people are absolutely discrediting the Jewish faith and all biblical faiths by making these kinds of things acceptable.
The hypocrisy here is ludicrous!! Can/should a member of ANY biblical faith who openly cheats on his wife and commits adultry be allowed to be made a rabbi/pastor? OF COURSE NOT!! Tell me then, what is the difference between this scenario and an openly-homosexual person seeking a leadership position?
“Conservative” Jews, my butt. Bunch of fakes simply picking and choosing the parts of God’s word that they want to believe in/observe. F
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:30pmNobody lives by all the rules in the Torah, and you’d have to be insane to want to. It prescribes the death penalty fro all kinds of minor offences, and goes on for page after page about the rules for sacrificing animals to God. Unless you think that modern Jews should revive blood sacrifices and stone guys who disrespect their fathers, why should they have to follow any of that stupid anti-gay crap?
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:35pmI hope God comes soon and burns this whole God forsaken world assunder. Maybe what is left will actually live by a code of decency, morality, and tradition once again.
P.S.
Report Post »Fa66ots make me want to puke my guts out!!!
lukerw
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:52pm@CHET….
Report Post »Scripture has an answer for that (paraphrased): ‘If you cannot follow My Laws, then I will Judge you upon the Laws that you claim to follow’! How many Laws are their in America… that the Righteous claim to follow… that they do not violate daily? No one can… toss the First Stone!
ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:50pmOf course you can be homosexual and Christian or homosexual and Jewish. You can be a murderer, a rapist, a torturer, or a tax-man and still be Christian or Jewish. God loves all his children, even ignorant cretins like you.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 1:18amSo Chet…you are more just than God? You make better prescriptions for the best way to live than God? So, when you get a cancerous tumor, you will just leave it there to be tolerant?
Yet another unlearned Biblical “scholar” presuming to know anything about the Holy Scirpture?
If I weren’t concerned for your eternal soul, I would laugh and scoff at you, instead, I wll continue to pray that you will shed your willful, blind, disobedience
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:19pmWhat God declares unclean, man in their iniquity declares clean…
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 6:54amHey Schechter Rabbinical Seminary. You might want to review the Torah and remember what God does to you when you make him mad.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:07pmjust like protestants didn’t want to follow the complete laws of the Universal Church, as mandated by the Pope. many jews didn’t want to follow the Word of God as given to the jews in the Old Testament because it was too stringent. they are all deluding themselves. they make up the rules they follow because it makes their life easier. it doesn’t mean they are following the laws God commanded.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:01pmGigantic mistake!
Report Post »RabbiDRJerkins
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:56pmThese practicers of abomination are neither conservative, nor Jewish. You can not serve the Lord when you despise his Word.
Report Post »What will these fools promote next? Pedophilia in the name of the Lord? Murder? (oh, that’s right, some already do, they just call it “a woman’s right to choose”).
This is sickening.
These who spit on the Word of the Lord and lift the enemies of the Lord to be their leaders are NOT the people of the Lord.
You can follow the Jewish faith, OR you can be a homosexual. Doing both is IMPOSSIBLE.
lukerw
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:08pmOr… as we say… You cannot follow Two Masters!
Report Post »ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:51pmThis commenter is obviously not a Rabbi, despite their screenname. Any rabbi knows that “being Jewish” has nothing at all to do with being perfectly clean of sin.
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:45pmCan I become an ATHEIST Lesbian Rabbi? I think that would be fun.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:58pmhttp://theseason.yolasite.com/
Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:38pmWell, that was certainly pointless, Paul.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:12pm@Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
“Can I become an ATHEIST Lesbian Rabbi? I think that would be fun.”
Only if you can grow a beard…. and THAT doesn’t sound like fun. Stick with science and your wonderful posts. We love you just the way you are LPHP’s. : )
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:19pmWait, wait. You mean JEWISH lesbians CAN grow beards?
…
Kinky.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 1:25am@Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
“Wait, wait. You mean JEWISH lesbians CAN grow beards?”
Actually, I think most all Jewish women can grow beards. : ) >
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 21, 2012 at 10:52amIf people can Worship Rocks (re the Tribe of Dan; re Mecca)… and call it Religion… then the Worship of Self is a Religion. Maybe, you can call it JudeoMeism… and call yourself a Teacher (Rabbi)!
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on April 22, 2012 at 4:01pmPaul: I know the bible and I am a Christian. But I do not know what you are trying to say with that web post. Will you please sum it up for me in plain speak so I can understand what you are trying to say? Ive looked at it before and didn’t get it the first time either.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:43pmAnother example of Standing With Jews is not a practice of being saved upon the return of Christ.
Salvation only comes from Christ Himself when we confess our sins to Him and repent. First you must understand what is SIN. Standing with queers who are among the likes of Jews, Catholics, and Mormons who tolerate the gay agenda influences anti-morality… sinful being.
Report Post »ProgressiveDeist267
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:48pmJews do have a different concepts of atonement and sin.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:13pm@PROGRESSIVE…
Report Post »And,,, very different Sects… as varied as Christian Sects!
Texas.7
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:15pmJesus will return when all who will come to Him call out His name. The rest, their ears are stopped up. This variance from scripture isn’t much considering their absolute need for Christ. God promises a time of revival among the Jews, when they will be grafted back in- I pray soon. He loves His chosen, but loves all people equally: from India, Africa, the Americas, Arabs, Europeans and across the globe- every one unique yet the same. As many as will open their hearts to Christ will be saved, and will know their God. Only through Christ do we approach the Father.
I am praying for revival in Jerusalem, in America, and in the farthest reaches of the world, when the Body of Christ will become one. Doctrine alone, good or bad, accomplishes nothing beyond this realm. But even so, I have to believe that a non-Christian Jew who earnestly tries to follow Jewish Law as a means to find God, will be granted a special opportunity to become acquainted with Christ. Seek and you will find.
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:42pmLucifer and his minions are celebrating today. Evidence of Paul’s prophetic warning to his Jewish friend, Timothy, continues to filter through God’s chosen nation. So few people worldwide, comparatively, cherish their positions as children of God. Many claim they are children of God, but their words and actions defy such an assertion.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit thei own desires, they will gather around them a great nmber of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their eas away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (II Timothy 4: 3-4, NIV)
Report Post »stockpicker
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:28pmGood response!
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on April 22, 2012 at 4:05pmYep. That is their curse. They may think God is smiling down upon them but He is actually giving them up to their own lusts to practice their evil deeds…same reason Joel Osteen has a MULTIMEGA church body….they ALL want their ears tickled. They are denying how powerful God is….they WILL find out soon enough!
Report Post »ProgressiveDeist267
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:41pmConservative (not political conservative) Jews are very liberal in their beliefs. Many Orthodox groups would not allow a female rabbi. Of course I can imagine younger Jews would be more accepting and attractive to more liberal Jewish groups.
Report Post »birdybird
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:22pmActually, no Orthodox Jewish group of any kind would allow a female Rabbi.
Report Post »namron019
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:38pmAnd some wonder how a Jew will accept another God in the rebuilt temple. Sin blinds us from the truth (Romans 1) we must repent and accept the offering of Christ Jesus a propitiation for our sins. We must humble ourselves before God All Mighty and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. The hour is growing late.
Report Post »Texas.7
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:24pmAmen! I don’t know why Christians actually seek a new Temple in Jerusalem. The offering up of sheep and red heifers will not save the Jews, but I believe, will be seen as vile as making offerings to false gods. Nobody can add to His offering, and any who think something else will give them eternal life are sadly mistaken. Seek and you shall find. But the end is drawing near, and the choices will become more difficult. Never the less, the perseverance of the saints is in Christ. And He has already won the battle for us.
Report Post »texasderek
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:29pmThis is very very weird to me… How can someone be a Teacher of the Word of God but not live by that word ? I just don’t get it.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:37pmCan’t let The Word of God get in the way…
$$$
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:42pmHow do they do it?
They exchange the truth for the lie. The call good evil and evil, they declare good.
Report Post »People have been doing that since Adam and Eve.
namron019
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:46pmIt is understanding what it says in Romans 1 about the wrath of God. We think of it as Hell fire and Brimstone, but it can be God hardening our hearts and blinding us from the truth and leaving us to our sad state. I see it over and over again and pray that I don‘t fall prey to Satan’s schemes.
Report Post »makeemstop
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:50pmMy sentiments exactly. And how public public sentiment and popular points of view dictate ALTER God’s word?
Report Post »Texas.7
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:19pmThey are not saved. They walk without the Spirit, so the noise from man has drowned out the voice of God. But I do believe that revival will happen in Jerusalem, because I believe the Word of God.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:28pmIf the Jewish people are still God’s people, I would guess his anger is burning against them and they will soon see his wrath.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:18pmWell, the only thing I can say is… there goes the neighborhood. But the outfits will be colorful I guess….. SHATNEZ!!
Report Post »VoteRightDammit
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:18pmOh, joy.
“F” the Torah! We are Progressive and know far better what god wants than what God THINKS he wants.
Report Post »Winedude
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:18pm“Either God can prevent evil but chooses not to, which means he is not all-good, or he wishes to prevent evil but cannot, which means he is not all-powerful.”
“God gives all of us free will,…and when we come to the fork in the road where one path will lead us to heaven and one to hell, we have a choice, and God is not responsible for what choice we make. But, if God is all knowing, he would know which path we take.”
So, God is neither all-good, all-powerful, nor all-knowing. Boy are you folks under a sad delusion.
Report Post »Sh3LLz
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 9:33am@WINDUDE
The issue is universal sovereignty. Can humans rule themselves? Obviously not. God will act in his own time to rid the world of wickedness. As the creator, hes knows whats best for his creation. The question is, Who will be obedient to His laws?
If you have a child who is disobedient, disruptive, violent, insolent and all out BAD in your home, to protect your other children, when your patience runs out, that child MUST BE EVICTED. Still though, you try and reach out to that child, to turn him around from his disobedience. God is not slow or weak, he is patient.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:16pmI like the blue and white flag better, the new dreamcoat flag is tacky. Don’t you think, or do you?
TEA
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:01pmI do think you are an idiot. Thanks for asking.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:16pmIn the name of tolerance the sins just keep pileing up.
Yep. I think we can look for God to be making His mind up soon.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:49pm…with a vengence..;-)
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:12pmJesus… they are Surrendering… and not a Nazi or Muslim in sight!
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:10pmI just have one question, why do they think they are the only ones to get to use the “fun” colors? I still use all the same colors-do the have a patent or something?
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:09pmJust one more reason for the Muslim horde to hate,butcher and attack Jews even more…with Irans comments as of late regarding homosexuals, they should love this…sad.
Report Post »