TORONTO — A number of Canadians have added their names to a statement of principles calling for the acceptance of gays in the Orthodox community.
Rabbi Chaim Strauchler
Signed by some 170 Orthodox rabbis, educators and mental health professionals in Canada, the United States and Israel, the statement was released July 29, the same day as the 2010 gay pride parade in Jerusalem.
It says that “all human beings are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect (kevod haberiyot).
“Every Jew is obligated to fulfil the entire range of mitzvot between person and person in relation to persons who are homosexual or have feelings of same-sex attraction. Embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism.”
The statement goes on to say that Halachah “sees heterosexual marriage as the ideal model and sole legitimate outlet for human sexual expression. The sensitivity and understanding we properly express for human beings with other sexual orientations does not diminish our commitment to that principle.”
Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, spiritual leader of Shaarei Shomayim Congregation in Toronto and one of the signatories, said that the statement is an attempt to express the values of Halachah. “It recognizes the clear values of the Torah. Homosexual relations are forbidden, but [at the same time] we should have respect for all people. [Everyone] should be treated with a degree of understanding.
“We are not condoning homosexual acts, but we welcome [homosexuals] in our synagogues. We understand the trials in their lives, and we do not want to cause them unneeded harm.”
Rabbi Martin Lockshin, a professor of Jewish studies at York University and a rabbi of the Toronto Partnership Minyan, said the statement is an important step in acknowledging that homosexuals need to be accepted into the Jewish community.
“It is a well-crafted statement that does not ignore the issues of Jewish law. It makes clear what is and is not permitted,” said Rabbi Lockshin, who signed the document and helped edit its Hebrew version.
He said that he’s “gratified” to see the wide range of people who signed the statement. “I am happy to see a number of Canadian names.”
Rabbi Reuven Bulka, spiritual leader of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa, said that he didn’t sign the statement “because the truth is, there is nothing new. Most rabbis have already operated under that system.
The people involved [in the statement] had good intentions, but I did have difficulty signing.”
He said that Judaism has “long operated under the rubric that every human being should be treated with dignity. We do not check anyone at the door.
“This statement reaffirms everything about our approach to Judaism. It would be redundant to sign it. By signing it, it would imply that things are changing, but in reality, nothing has changed.”
As a general rule, he said, “I do not sign things. The only thing I have signed on to is to keep God’s Torah.”
Rabbi Moshe Stern of Shaarei Tefillah Congregation in Toronto, said he wouldn’t sign the document, “because it sounds like we would be sanctioning something, and I am not sanctioning the homosexual lifestyle. If I signed it, I would be misunderstood.”
He does welcome everyone into his shul, he said, “because it is the best place to be. We can pray together, and hopefully there will be a change. I accept homosexuals into my shul like I accept any sinners.
“The Torah tells us what is and what is not permitted. Sanctioning homosexual relationships would be like sanctioning the desecration of Shabbat.”
Other Toronto-area residents who signed the document include Rabbi Jay Kelman of Torah in Motion; Dr. Aubie Diamond; Rabbi Charles Grysman, spiritual leader of Zichron Yisroel Congregation; Rabbi Benjamin Hecht, founding director of Nishma, and Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, rosh beit midrash of the Yeshiva University-Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov.
Three Montreal rabbis are among the signatories: Adam Scheier and Yonah Berman, respectively, senior and assistant rabbis, of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, and Rabbi Mordechai Glick, who founded a small congregation, Ahavat Israel, in Côte St. Luc and is a psychologist.
(Shaar Hashomayim, Montreal’s largest congregation, is officially independent of any denomination, but follows Orthodox practice in many of its aspects.)
Rabbi Ira Ebbin, who led Beth Zion Congregation until last June, when he left for New York, also signed the statement.
With files from Janice Arnold
