Jewish Seminary to Admit Gays
Pastor Dale Morgan
Jewish Seminary to Admit Gays*
Monday March 26, 2007 8:46 PM
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - The seminary considered the flagship institution of
Conservative Judaism said Monday it will start accepting gay and lesbian
applicants, after scholars who guide the movement lifted the ban on gay
ordination.
Arnold Eisen, incoming chancellor for the Jewish Theological Seminary,
said the decision was made after extensive discussion with faculty and
students, a survey on views of the issue within the movement and a
meeting of the school's trustees.
``The larger issue has been how we can remain true to our tradition in
general and to halakah (Jewish law) in particular while staying fully
responsive to and immersed in our society and culture,'' Eisen said in a
statement distributed to the school community and its supporters.
The Conservative branch holds the middle ground in American Judaism,
adhering to tradition while allowing some change for modern circumstances.
The larger and more liberal Reform Jewish movement, as well as the
smaller Reconstructionist wing, allow gays to become rabbis; the
Orthodox branch bars gays and women from ordination.
In December, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards voted to allow
the seminaries to decide on their own whether to admit openly gay
students. However, their decision also left leeway for synagogues to
reject gay and lesbian clergy if the congregations believe that same-sex
relationships violate Scripture.
Earlier this month, a smaller Conservative seminary in Los Angeles, the
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism,
announced that it has accepted its first openly gay and lesbian applicants.
The New York seminary has extended the application deadline for the fall
semester until June 30, so students can take advantage of the new policy.
Eytan Hammerman of Keshet, an advocacy group for full inclusion of gays
at the seminary, said he knew of at least one gay student who had
already submitted an application, which was put on hold while the issue
was under review.
The survey JTS conducted found majorities of two-thirds or more among
clergy, educators, administrators and others approved admitting gay
students. However, respondents in Canada, where Conservative Judaism is
more traditional, were ``overwhelmingly against'' ordaining gays.
Still, Eisen and others insisted the movement would not split. Leaders
believe the more likely response is that individuals who object to the
change will leave to worship in Orthodox synagogues.
``I do not think in the near future it will result in great changes in
the school,'' said Rabbi Joel Roth, a faculty member and expert in
Jewish law who considers ordaining gays contrary to Jewish teaching.
``The only way that I worry about it hurting the school is if the result
of this decision is the marginalizing of those who oppose this decision.''
Roth resigned from the Law Committee when it lifted the gay ordination
ban. He believes Eisen will work hard to maintain respect for
conflicting views but said the true impact of the decision won't be
apparent for years.
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Jewish Theological Seminary: http://www.jtsa.edu/