Rabbis take stand on conversions, sign petition on gay unionsCommitment ceremonies certain to be discussed at gay Jewish conference in Phoenix this weekendStaff and wire reports
The meeting of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in Anaheim, Calif., last week drew largely favorable reviews for what the nation's body of Reform rabbis chose to doRabbi Albert Plotkin, rabbi emeritus at Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale and the only Phoenix-area representative at the national meeting , said it was a great experience, filled with moving moments and stimulating discussions, on everything from the changing roles of women to keeping kosher. The rabbis lashed out at controversial conversion legislation in Israel, warning that its passage "would devastate the Israeli-Diaspora relationship and cause severe and deleterious consequences in the political, philanthropic and religious realms." The bill, now pending in the Knesset, would codify the Orthodox establishment's control over conversions performed in Israel and "create two classes of Jews," said a resolution adopted unanimously by the CCAR. The Reform rabbis also called on all Jewish federations, synagogues, communal organizations, and the Conservative and Reconstructionist movements to join in appeals to the Israeli government and Knesset to kill the legislation. "We made a clarion call to American Jewry. We need to have a pluralistic society in Israel, as we have in America," said Plotkin, who was honored at the meeting, along with five other Reform rabbis who were ordained 50 years ago, in 1948. There were 10 rabbis from Israel at the meeting, who shared their experiences about the problems they encounter performing life-cycle events, Plotkin relayed. The Reform rabbis' resolution on conversion legislation was brought to a vote on an "emergency" basis, in part in response to remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implying that Reform rabbis were liable to perform "quickie" conversions. Rabbi Richard Kroloff of Westfield, N.J., CCAR's president-designate, termed the remarks "an outrage and insult to our integrity." The emotional intensity generated by the conversion resolution stood in contrast to the generally low-key tone of the three-day meeting, which drew 500 Reform rabbis, about one-fourth of them women. There was a lively discussion on one committee report setting guidelines for handling charges of sexual misconduct against rabbis. In no-nonsense tones, the report set standards of near-puritan severity. "Unacceptable behavior," the report stated in part, includes "an unwelcome verbal, physical or visual conduct of a sexual nature." During the floor debate, one delegate asked for a definition of "visual conduct of a sexual nature," and the chairman said "leering" might fall into that category. The committee also urged rabbis, of either gender, to refrain from dating members of their congregations. This led one young rabbi to protest that in small communities, unmarried rabbis might not be able to find any dates. A potentially explosive issue The delay was criticized by some at the conference. A petition circulated among the CCAR's 1,700 members before and during the convention, stating, "We have officiated, or are willing to officiate, at a ceremony affirming the union of a same-gender Jewish couple," was signed by 530 rabbis. Plotkin said the vote was delayed because the American rabbis "didn't want to create problems for our colleagues in Israel who are working with the Orthodox." "There were some rabbis who are gay (at the meeting), who feel they should be considered legitimate unions," Plotkin said, "and there were many of us who disagreed. We stated that those who wish to (officiate at such ceremonies) may." Gene Koenigsberg, president of AVIV, Phoenix's organization for gay Jews, said he thought it was "wonderful" that more than 500 Reform rabbis signed the petition. "Bringing (the subject) to the conference brought it to people's attention. It was a step in the right direction," he said. The rabbis who signed the petition "are bucking the mainstream," Plotkin said, adding, "I respect that. I believe in freedom of choice. I don't do interfaith marriages (either), but I respect those who do." Plotkin said that, in general, CCAR seems to be "moving to the right," which he views as a reflection of U.S. society as a whole. The subject of same-sex commitment ceremonies will no doubt come up again as leaders of gay Jewish groups from across the United States, and a few other countries, gather in Phoenix this weekend, July 3-5, for the 1998 Western Regional Conference of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations at the Doubletree Resort in Paradise Valley. Several Valley rabbis Discussion topics at the conference will include "Making our Place in the Jewish Community," which will include discussion on partnerships and memberships on Jewish boards and agencies, and "Jewish Values in the Modern World," which will address parenting issues, women's roles, genetics, suicide and the Jewish response to crime. Koenigsberg noted that although local rabbis have been reluctant to comment publicly on such delicate issues as same-sex unions, including a few who didn't return phone calls or declined to comment for this story, there are congregations in the Valley in which gay Jews can participate and feel comfortable, which he finds encouraging. Likewise, the congress is inviting members of the community to participate in its Fourth of July Country Fair picnic/party on Saturday evening. Entertainer Mark Malachi, a Jewish cantor and male belly-dancer who had been scheduled to perform, has canceled. But Jewish comediennes Lynn Lavner of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lisa Geduldig of San Francisco are still scheduled to appear. There will also be game booths, barbecue food and square dancing with an Israeli flair, called by Rick Gittelman of Tucson. Tickets are $50. Call 952-1612, ext. 3. Jewish News Associate Editor Anne Brady and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency's Tom Tugend contributed to this report. 
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