One paper, by my teacher Rabbi Joel Roth, stated that while gay and lesbian Jews are to be welcomed into our synagogues, their relationships may not be recognized, nor may they be ordained as rabbis or cantors unless they practice complete celibacy.

A second paper, co-authored by my own rabbi, Rabbi Danny Nevins, along with my teachers Rabbis Elliot Dorff and Avram Reisner, stated that while the Torah's one explicit prohibition of male homosexual intercourse may not be abrogated, the Torah's command for human dignity and for respecting our neighbor may be applied to allow gay and lesbian Jews other forms of sexual intimacy, for their committed relationships to be recognized (though not as marriage), and for them to seek ordination as rabbis and cantors within the Conservative Movement.

Both of these papers (teshuvot or legal responsa) received a majority of votes and have therefore been accepted by the committee.  How can two contradictory responses to this subject both be considered as valid opinions for the Conservative Movement?  This is possible because of the beauty of Conservative Judaism.  Rejecting extremism and embracing the idea that there can be two valid opinions, Conservative Judaism holds true to the ideal of Eilu v'Eilu divrei Elohim Chayim--both of these are are the words of the living God.  We are committed to balancing our divine Tradition along with modernity.

How does this decision affect our congregation? To be honest, it really doesn't.  Our congregation prides itself on being a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community. Some gays and lesbians are already members of our congregation.  Perhaps this decision will allow more gays and lesbians to feel that they are welcomed in our congregation, and for some closeted gays and lesbians within our membership to feel comfortable enough to affirm their orientation publicly.

I do not believe that the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony (kiddushin) can be applied to same-sex couples.  However, I am available to perform a beautiful and meaningful ceremony for two Jews of the same sex who are committed for life to each other in a loving relationship.

I encourage you to speak with me should you have any comments, concerns, or questions about this subject and the recent decisions. As always, I am available to study the relevant texts and teshuvot with you. Rabbi Danny Nevins has posted to the Web his teshuvah along with a personal journal of his experience acting as a decisor of Jewish law in this matter.  These can be accessed at rabbinevins.org/halakhic_writings.htm.