Mittwoch, 31. Januar 2007

Über die Ordination von homosexuellen Rabbinern

Gerade erreichte mich eine E-Mail vom Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) bezüglich einer Abstimmung unter Studenten und Rabbinern zur Ordination von Homosexuellen zum Rabbiner bzw. zur Rabbinerin. Da ich persönlich vom menschlichen Standpunkt aus keinerlei Einwände dagegen hätte - ich finde, die Qualifikation eines Rabbiners hängt nicht von Geschlecht oder sexueller Ausrichtung ab - war ich gespannt, welche halachischen Argumente das JTS hier ins Feld führen würde. Als es Ende der Achtziger um die Ordination von Frauen ging, hatte sich das Führungsgremium schließlich recht viel Mühe gegeben, die verschiedenen Standpunkte gegeneinander abzuwägen und gleichzeitig ein ausführliches Quellenstudium betrieben. Erst nachdem man zu dem Schluß gekommen war, dass es ebenso viele Argumente für eine Frauenordination gäbe wie dagegen, wurde im Entscheidungsgremium abgestimmt.

Ich weiß nicht, wie es diesmal gelaufen ist, aber die offizielle Mitteilung erwähnt nur die Umfrage, nicht aber die Auseinandersetzung mit den halachischen Tücken dieses Schritts, was ich recht schade finde. Vielleicht folgt eine nähere Information ja noch, oder ist demnächst als teures Büchlein zu erwerben... ;-) Interessant fand ich allerdings, dass mehr Rabbiner als Studenten für die Homosexuellen-Ordination stimmten, aber hier das Originalschreiben (die Einleitung habe ich rausgekürzt):

Survey Finds Majority of Conservative Movement Favors Gay Ordination
-- Survey Also Speaks to Unity on Other Movement Principles --
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


New York, NY, January 31, 2007 — A national survey has been conducted by Professor Steven M. Cohen, commissioned by The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in cooperation with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) to understand the thinking of key constituents in the Conservative Movement on the issue of gay and lesbian ordination.
“The survey elicited a tremendous response from leaders, activists, and community alike," said Professor Cohen. “Not withstanding the deeply-held feelings on this issue, the results point to four areas of strong consensus in the Conservative Movement: a commitment to halakhah, support for women as clergy, and opposition to both patrilineal descent and rabbis officiating at mixed marriages. The consensus around these issues speaks to the underlying unity and distinctiveness of the Conservative Movement.”
“Our intent was and is to know what Conservative Jews rabbis and cantors, educators and executives, board members and students think about this important matter: admitting and ordaining/investing openly gay and lesbian students in our rabbinical and cantorial schools,” stated Arnold Eisen, Chancellor-elect of JTS. “Of particular note is the remarkable unity of Conservative Jews nationwide in their support of the centrality of halakhah as a key principle of Conservative Judaism. The survey gives us data on this score as one factor among many to bear in mind as we consider a complex and controversial decision that will undoubtedly have a major impact on the future direction of JTS and the Conservative Movement. A final decision on this matter is expected this spring. We are grateful to Professor Cohen for conducting the study so professionally and quickly, and for providing his services to us pro bono.”
The survey is part of a process to assist the leaders of JTS, the USCJ, and the RA in determining policy reactions to the recent decision on homosexual behavior by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. To date, the heads of the other seminaries affected by the CJLS decision have discussed the issue with Professor Eisen, who is also receiving feedback through his nationwide “listening tour,” meetings with students, and via the JTS website. Faculty discussions are ongoing.
Invitations to participate in the survey were sent to 18,676 email addresses. The lists encompassed much of the top clerical, professional, and lay leadership of the Conservative Movement, and included rabbis, cantors, educators (including camp directors), United Synagogue Youth advisors, executive directors, USCJ board members, presidents, some congregational officers, and activists (including college students).
5,583 responses were received; 4,861 from invitees, and 722 who responded to a public access website.
Major findings include:
Large majority favors gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors:● Rabbis are largely in favor (65% in favor to 28% opposed, with others unsure), as are the cantors by a similar margin (67% to 27%), while lay leaders split 68% to 22%.● JTS students also favor admitting gay and lesbian rabbinical students: (58% to 32% for the rabbinical students; 58% to 21% for the cantorial students, and 70% to 21% for all other JTS students.


Wie gesagt, nur eine Abstimmung, aber was die Argumentation angeht, hält man sich sehr bedeckt. Wie ich von einem Bekannten hörte, arbeitet eine lesbische Kantorin, die von JTS damals abgelehnt wurde, mittlerweile bei einer modern-orthodoxen Gemeinde. Es scheint also dringenden Klärungsbedarf zu geben...

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