Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Jews Overwhelmingly Opposed Prop 8. That Begs Three Big Questions.

If I got back together with my ex-boyfriend, Trevor, and we decided to get married or have a committment ceremony, my rabbi would not officiate the service. My synagogue would send us elsewhere. That might come as a shock to those who know how unwaveringly proud I am to be gay. How could I belong to a homophobic shul or religion? How could I have an anti-gay rabbi?

The answer is I do not. The problem with Trevor and I getting married is not that we're both guys. The "problem" is that Trevor is a Christian. Conservative rabbis (as a rule) do not officiate the wedding ceremonies of interfaith couples. The idea is that Jewish families are strongest when both parents are committed to the faith; therefore intermarriage is discouraged. (Most Conservative rabbis will give the names of more liberal Reform rabbis willing to marry them, and the couples' membership in the Conservative synagogue will remain in good standing.)

Now personally, I think as long as the couple plans to raise their children in the Jewish faith, they should be allowed to have a Conservative wedding in their own synagogue. (On the other hand, if you plan on raising your kids Christian, I'm not sure why you even care about having a Jewish wedding anyway.) There are many reports out there which show that Christian moms or Hindu dads can do an outstanding job of making sure their kids get a quality Jewish education. But that's a subject for another day.

More interesting to me is this: although Conservative Jews oppose interfaith marriage, they are not trying to get that religious belief enshrined in the law. Even though there are probably a few scriptural verses they could point to as biblical evidence they are correct, they are not trying to legislate their religious beliefs on this subject. The same can be said of Orthodox Jews. On the subject of Jew/gentile marriage, Orthodox Jews make Conservative Jews look like. . . Unitarians. You sometimes get the feeling the ban on interfaith marriage is the most important aspect of halakha. They get really worked up about this. But Orthodox Jews are NOT out there trying to force this religious belief down everyone else's throat. They are, however, joining the right wings of every other religion to force anti-gay legislation on everyone. Proposition 8 was pushed by fundamentalists in many religions.

Of course, in Judaism, fundamentalists are in the minority. The dominant expression of Judaism is the theology espoused by the Reform and Conservative movements. That helps explain why a disproportionate number of Jewish people in California opposed Proposition 8.

Regarding marriage equality, "Los Angeles Jews were more opposed to Prop 8 than any other religious group or ethnic group." --Wikipedia

That brings up some big questions. Number 1: Why is the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America so out of touch with the rest of Jewrey? Why is it aligning itself with the Roman Catholic Church, The Knights of Colombus, the Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), the American Family Association, Focus on the Family, and countless charismatic, health-and-wealth churches on the subject of marriage equality? Why did Orthodox Jewish organizations feel the need to cast their votes against a fellow minority by supporting Proposition 8?

Number 2: Why does the media act like fundamentalist voices are the only ones that matter in religions? That's cruel enough in religions like Christianity, where we rarely hear the viewpoints of progressive Episcopals or United Methodists. But in Judaism, the media's disregard for progressive Jewish viewpoints is outrageous. Orthodox Judaism makes up the SMALLEST part of Judaism.

Not only were individual Jews on the frontlines of Prop 8 protests, but Jewish organizations also lined up to oppose Prop 8. Jewish Mosaic, the American Jewish Committee, Progressive Jewish Alliance, the National Council of Jewish Women, and thousands of rabbis from all denominations (including Orthodox) opposed this hateful legislation, along with progressive members of other religions ("L.A. Jews Overwhelmingly Opposed Prop 8, Exit Poll Finds." LA Times.)
The Board of Rabbis of Southern California came out in favor of equality. "For many rabbis, it speaks on a personal level in terms of people they deal with whose lives have been impacted over the issue,” said Rabbi Stewart Vogel of Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills and the board’s president of approximately 290 members.
Most religious Jews support marriage equality. Even Conservative ones. And marriage and families are an important part of Judaism. That brings us to the biggest question of all.
Number 3: Since Judaism allows same-sex marriage, why are gay Jews being kept from fully practicing their faith? Jews are encouraged by their faith to get married and raise Jewish kids. America's bigoted stance on marriage equality (and in some states, adoption) is prohibiting this for Jews who happen to be gay. Also, think about all the gay Christians who belong to chuches that would gladly celebrate their marriages.
Orthodox and Conservative Jews do not try to legislate bans on interfaith marriage. Evangelicals and Mormons do not try to outlaw adultery. Roman Catholics do not attempt to criminalize birth control or condoms. They simply preach their beliefs from the pulpits and leave those with differing opinions subject to secular law. Contrary to the lies the religious right was spreading before Prop 8, marriage equality does NOT criminalize the clergy who wish to spread hate and bigotry to their congregants. Look at the two U.S. states where gays have equal rights (and most of Europe.) Those places still allow religious nuts to be as backwards and ignorant as they want.
Places of worship will always be allowed to discriminate against gay people, and any clergyperson who does not want to marry a gay couple will never have to, just as my rabbi will never have to marry me and a Christian. But subjecting a group's civil rights to the votes of an angry mob of religious maniacs should not be Constitutional. If you care about "the sanctity of marriage," then ban straight divorce!! Let's throw adulterers in jail. If you support a ban on my right to marry, you're not pro-marriage--you're just anti-gay.
MY religion is okay with my being gay. I couldn't care less about yours'.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Protest Prop 8

An ecumenical effort driven mostly by Mormons and far-right evangelicals managed to get the hateful, discriminatory Proposition 8 passed last week, taking away the rights of California's gay and lesbian tax-paying citizens to marry the person they love. ("California's Proposition 8 Pushed by Religious Groups, Especially Mormons")

http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2008/10/californias-proposition-8-pushed-by.html

(Why is it these religious groups only seem to get along when they are united against gay people?)

Here is a list of organized protests. If you live in any of these areas, please consider joining this movement and making your voice heard. And if you belong to a religion, maybe it would be nice to show it!! Let everybody see clear evidence that the people who voted to discriminate against gays and lesbians do NOT represent the only voice in that religion. If you're a Christian, wear a Jesus Loves Me shirt or a cross around your neck. If you're a Muslim or a sikh, dress traditionally. If you're Jewish, wear a kippah. Just a suggestion.

Thursday, Nov. 13

No On Prop 8 Protest - Irvine, Thursday 11/13 4:30pm Corner of Campus & Culver Drive, Irvine Marching to Culver & Alton.

Beverly Hills, CATime: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Location: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Street: 8949 Wilshire Blvd (Only candles, signs of love, nothing controversial) Organizer Contact: keegankillian@yahoo.com or 310-710-0678

State, College, PA 5:30pm - 7:30pm Allen Street Gates Corner of College and Allen Streets 8143605717, hvstonewall@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CAEl Coyote Cafe @ 7:00PM7312 Beverly Blvd, 90036

Long Beach, CA7 p.m. Hamburger Mary's

Palm Springs, CA7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Alejo & Palm CanyonMarch to Arenas then back to Francise Stevens ParkHosted by Concerned Citizens of Palm SpringsContact: deankrumme@mac.com

Friday, Nov. 14

2008UC San Diego, La Jolla 11:30pm - 3:00pm 9450 Gilman DriveLa Jolla, California

Vanguard College12:00pm - 2:00pm Lawn in front of Heath @ Vanguard 5623107470, Ebonee.Batiste@vanguard.edu

Hermosa Beach, CA 5:00pm - 7:00pm The Intersection of Pier and Hermosa Ave.Hermosa Beach Pier

Tucson, AZ5:00: Assemble at El Presidio Park (155 N Church St)5:30: March to La PLacita Village5:45 - 7:00 Rally

San Francisco TIME: 6:00pmPLACE: San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St.

Los Angeles, CAUCLA7:00pm - 9:00pm Bruin Plaza / Campus

Saturday Nov. 15th

Join The Impact! Nationwide. On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST / 1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out against Proposition 8.

San Francisco 10:30 A.M. at City Hall.1 Dr Carton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco, CA 94102http://protest8sf.wordpress.com/

Orange County, CA 12:00pm - 5:00pm South Coast Plaza Bear Street (Where the mall, Crystal Court, and Metro Pt. meet) Costa Mesa, CA

Anti-prop 8 New York Protest 1:30pm - 4:30pm City Hall260 BroadwayNew York, NY

Las Vegas, NV2-4PMThe LGBT Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave., Ste. B-31 standoutforequality@thecenterlv.com, 702-733-9800

Valencia Santa Clarita / Stevenson Ranch – 4PM Corner of Valencia Blvd & McBean Pkwy, Santa Clarita http://www.myspace.com/noonH8

Victorville, CA Corner of Bear Valley rd and Hesperia Rd. (NorthWest corner by Bank of America) in Victorville. 6:00PM

Sunday, Nov. 16th

Lake Forest, CA Saddle Back Church 10:00AM1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Long Beach, CAJesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints [Silent Protest]10:30 AM, 1140 Ximeno 7148819427, csibri@mac.com

Los Altos, CA11:00am - 2:00pm 1300 Grant RdBrandonRN2004@aol.com

Oakland, CA 11:30am - 2:00pm Foothill Missionary Baptist Church 1530 Foothill BLVD

Philadelphia, PA2:00pm - 3:00pm Independence Hall 143 South 3rd Street

Long Beach, CA3 p.m. Intersection of PCH/7th/BellflowerContact: Brittney at felisperdita@verizon.net

San Clemente, CA3 p.m. 242 Avenida Del Mar Contact: Edson McClellan at 949.584.6084 or emcclellan7@gmail.com.

Friday, Nov. 21st

Front Steps of Burlingame High School Street: 1 Mangini WayCity/Town: Burlingame, CA http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93382880491

Sunday, Nov. 23rd

Cambridge, Massachusetts 2pm Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA. 02139

Saturday, Nov. 29th

No On Prop 8 Peaceful Protest & Candlelight Vigil - Long Beach, Saturday 11/29 7pmLong Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach


----thanks to Queers United for compiling this list----

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Jewish Popularity: Everybody Really Does Love a Nice Jewish Girl (or Boy)

A racist, who goes by the initials A.J., recently wrote a delightful article for a hate site about how President-elect Barack Obama is a Jewish creation designed to subvert morality and push "Jewish" legislation about abortion, universal health care, gay-straight equality, the death penalty, etc. (Yawn.)

http://tworca.org/barack_obama.html

"It is purely Jewish money from billiionaire currency con-artist George Soros, Jew money-bags Lew Susman, Jew movie moguls Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and a thousand Katz's, Cohen's, Weinstein's, and Einstein's and Bernstein's in New York and Hollywood that are breathing life into this man-made mongrel mud-man [sic]." A.J. also points out that David Axelrod, Obama's "chief political strategist" is one of the Chosen People.

I point out this anti-Semitism only to say some people still hate us and see us as the movers and shakers behind every single major development in the world. These people are the ones who seek out the last names of the founders/owners of Facebook, Starbucks, and Google and write silly blogs about how every new popular company is run by a Jew. Obama's victory is just the latest event we supposedly masterminded (although I guess my Jewish friend Cody--an NRA member who voted for McCain--didn't get the memo.)

The neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and klansmen are not going anywhere; they're here to stay. And Obama's historic win--supported by 77% of Jewish voters--is only going to energize them. Obama has already been the vicitm of stated, planned assassination attempts.

But as much as we should be aware of this hatred, it's important to keep things in perspective. And that perspective is fairly sunny!! Jews have triumphed in this society--individually, culturally, and spiritually--and are among the most popular groups of people in the western world. Far from hating us, and even pretty far from being indifferent to us, (almost) everybody loves us. A rabbi once famously said about the threat of intermarriage: "The greatest threat to Judaism is no longer that gentiles want to kill us. It's that gentiles want to marry us."

So instead of drilling into the heads of Jewish kids and Hebrew school students that everybody despises Jews and that Jews must be careful because we're always one step away from another Shoah, what if we balanced that by also showing them how so many Jews have succeeded in this country without hiding his or her Jewishness? What if we showed them how Judaism is a major religion that attracts many people who were not born Jewish? How Jewish theology is currently an attractive option in the market place of spiritual ideals?

The first reason we should share this positive balance with our kids and students is that it will surely make them more emotionally healthy people. I have no research to back this up, but my own intuition tells me it isn't good for kids to constantly, obsessively read/hear/learn about our history of pogroms and gas chambers. That sad aspect of our history is definitely important, but it's better to balance that with stories of other ethnic groups' oppression and stories about Jewish achievement in the U.S. and Europe.

The other reason to share this positivity with kids is that IT IS THE TRUTH!!

In proportion, more Christians convert to Judaism every year than vice versa. Nearly every synagogue has active conversion classes. A woman from the Reform temple I do not attend converted for her ex-husband in 1999, and she has remained Jewish even after the 2002 divorce. Even though her initial reasons for conversion were more about her relationship than her spirituality, she has become a Jew in heart and soul.

There have also been recent reports that Judaism is attracting large numbers of black people. In fact, a black Christian church in the south suddenly saw a mass conversion. After exploring the faith as a group, every single member came to the conclusion that Judaism was a bitter fit with their personal beliefs than was Christianity. Everyone studied with a rabbi and they converted en masse. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this is happening more and more (although not in the same dramatic fashion as the mass conversion.)

"For a black male to put on a kippah and go wandering around in a predominantly black community, you get the strangest looks," said Pamela Harris, who converted along with her kippah-sporting husband Jim ("Judaism Drawing More Black Americans.")

Another black woman, Latesha Jones, was introduced to the faith by befriending some Jews. Because Jews don't proseletize, Ms. Jones studied her friends' faith on her own, and she asked questions and went to shabbos service. Soon after she went through the conversion. "I felt welcome," she said. "I felt like this is my place."

Even though I've experienced my share of prejudice, those instances are far outweighed by the genuine interest and respect my friends show my faith and heritage. Even friends who are Christians or Muslims or atheists are able to carry on conversations with me about the Talmud and bar mitzvahs and Hanukkah without being judgmental or hateful. And I have so many straight non-Jewish male friends who ask me to set them up with Jewish girls, which is apparently a common occurence in the U.S., given the near-constant warnings about inter-marraige from right-leaning rabbis.

Face it. We are popular. Yes, some hate us, just as they hate people who are black, Latino, gay, or Asian. But most people admire Jewish singers, artists, writers, and entertainers without seeing the disproportionate number of successful Jews as being evidence of group control or world domination. Some people are even interested in joining the tribe.

Cute teen-idol pop star Jesse McCartney (not Jewish) recently told the media he uses the Jewish dating site JDate to meet girls. He said, "One of my best buddies is a Conservative Jew, and he told me about JDate and I set up an account to meet cute girls."

Well, good luck, Jesse. I hope you find a nice girl. Even if you don't convert.