Same sex marriage and the Jewish dilemma

Since the U.S. Senate is voting today on what is called the Marriage Protection Amendment - an amendment President George Bush is promoting - it is a perfect time to deal with the question of same-sex marriage and the Jewish community. And it's not one question, but rather two, or even three.

1. Does the Jewish community support same sex marriage?
2. Can it present the world with a unified voice on the matter?
3. Does it need to try to come with a unified voice?

The short answer to all 3 questions is no, no and no. But that's not the end of it. As the discussion of this issue keeps coming back, it also keeps alive one of the most delicate dilemmas of Jewish life in America: what subjects merit an intervention by the "Jewish community?" A tricky question - but a defining one nevertheless.

In last week's dialog, with Steven Gutow of JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs - read it here), I asked him point blank about the issue. His reponse: "On behalf of what issues should the community, as a community, take stands? When Jewish values and Jewish interests are strongly embraced by the major organizational players, the community through its umbrella organizations should stand up and be counted. Issues relating to Israel, confronting poverty, immigration, pluralism, Sudan, the separation of church and state, the environment and many others?"

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as usual, it's the fundies that want everyone else to be like them. To the orthodox jews, I would say my grandfather was a jew interred at Dachau twice. My 14 year old uncle, who did not survive, was sent to Dachau because he confessed to a teacher he thought he might be gay.

The world may distinguish in their criteria of what to hate, but they do not distinguish in how they practice that hatred.

That is what I would say to the "orthodox" jews; a lesson they of all people should certainly know by now.

"The world may distinguish in their criteria of what to hate, but they do not distinguish in how they practice that hatred."

can I use this?

kick some ass for me.