Thanks for pointing out the hypocrisy and wishy-washiness of this decision. Though I think many people are tempted to celebrate this decision as at least a step in the right direction, I have to wonder how leaving individual congregations with the right to remain homophobic and exclusionary and banning a specific type of gay sex are improvements. Yes, GLBT Jews can now become Conservative rabbis and may have a commitment ceremony officiated by a Conservative rabbi, but their equality and dignity is yet to be fully acknowledged.
I also agree that the comparison with the decision 23 years ago to ordain women is apt -- and it's instructive to realize that even now, there are many non-egalitarian Conservative congregations, as well as Conservative rabbinical students who won't count their fellow female rabbinical students in a minyan. To me, this demonstrates that the victory is still incomplete. When it comes to matters of equality and human dignity, we need to aim higher, rather than accepting compromises.
Thanks for pointing out the hypocrisy and wishy-washiness of this decision. Though I think many people are tempted to celebrate this decision as at least a step in the right direction, I have to wonder how leaving individual congregations with the right to remain homophobic and exclusionary and banning a specific type of gay sex are improvements. Yes, GLBT Jews can now become Conservative rabbis and may have a commitment ceremony officiated by a Conservative rabbi, but their equality and dignity is yet to be fully acknowledged.
I also agree that the comparison with the decision 23 years ago to ordain women is apt -- and it's instructive to realize that even now, there are many non-egalitarian Conservative congregations, as well as Conservative rabbinical students who won't count their fellow female rabbinical students in a minyan. To me, this demonstrates that the victory is still incomplete. When it comes to matters of equality and human dignity, we need to aim higher, rather than accepting compromises.