My Religious Rights

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote to you objecting to the Obama Administration’s plans to compel institutions run by religious organizations to include birth control in the health care coverage for their employees.  I said that I considered this a matter of freedom of religion and challenged the Obama Administration to “find another way” to accomplish the goal of providing birth control for all.  I didn’t think I had that much clout but even before my email left the Temple computer system the Administration shifted its position and found that other way.  Even if many bishops don’t agree I found the compromise quite reasonable.

This week I write to you about a situation where I feel my own right to freedom of religion is being violated.  As a rabbi I have been given the authority by the State of New Jersey to solemnize marriages.  The Reform Movement in Judaism along with a number of Protestant denominations endorses the right of same sex couples to marry.  Our support for gay marriage is shaped by our religious beliefs, among them that all people are made in the image of God.  I have officiated at such ceremonies in the past and would like to do so here in New Jersey.  But, the state continues to consider such marriages invalid.  As such, it is endorsing the views of some religious groups and their clergy and restricting the rights of others, including my own.  This is wrong.  Of course, the harm being done to thousands of gay couples in New Jersey by denying them the right to marry is far greater than any harm done to me.  For gay couples this is not only about religious rights but equality before the law and in society.  We cannot say that gay people have equal rights in our society until we recognize the equality of their relationships. 

I applaud our State Legislature for voting to legalize same sex marriage.  This action is long overdue.  Unfortunately, our governor believes that the equality of gays and lesbians and my freedom of religion should be put up for a vote.  I find this offensive. 

I recognize that not everyone receiving this email agrees with me, just as you didn’t all agree with my last email!  But, I feel it is my role as your rabbi to share with you where I stand on important issues and why and to spur discussion among us about them.  I look forward to your responses!

Shabbat Shalom,

Jordan

Contraception

Dear Friends,

I was dismayed by the Obama Administration’s recent decision to compel some institutions run by religious organizations to provide health insurance that covers birth control.  Specifically, the ruling issued by the Department of Health and Human Services said that only religious organizations that primarily employ and serve their co-religionists would be exempt from this requirement.  That means that churches and synagogues are exempt but religiously affiliated hospitals, colleges and agencies are not.  I agree with Archbishop Timothy Dolan and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that this ruling violates the principle of the free exercise of religion enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

The Reform Movement in Judaism is a liberal religious movement.  We believe in the right of couples to use birth control when and how they see fit.  We also support the use of Federal funding to provide birth control and family planning services to women who cannot otherwise afford these services.  I am proud to be part of a religious Movement which supports progressive policies in the area of family planning and reproductive rights. 

Nevertheless, I must object to a government policy which says that those religious movements which do not agree with these views be compelled to have their institutions follow them.  If the tables were turned and we were the ones being told to do something that violated our religious principles how would we feel?  As a religious minority we have to be especially sensitive to this concern.  The government may be right to try to make contraception available to all those who want to use it.   But, it is wrong to force those who disagree to provide it.  They simply have to find another way.

Shabbat Shalom,

Jordan

p.s. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism does not agree with me on this matter.  If you would like to learn more on their position, please read the press release.

Tu Bi or Not Tu Bi

Dear Friends,

That is the question.  Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the boredom of an average Tuesday night in February, or to take note of the Jewish calendar and by going to Temple Sinai to celebrate!   

To celebrate what?  Tu BiSh’vat! 

How?  By attending our Tu BiShvat Seder!

When?  This Tuesday night from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m.

Where?  At Temple Sinai

RSVP to Templesinai@templesinaibc.org or call 201-568-3035 x200.  You must RSVP no late than this Monday morning by 9:00 a.m.  This is the final deadline.  **** See below for cost and other details.

What’s Sh’vat?  Sh’vat is a month on the Jewish calendar, the month we are in right now.    “Tu Bi” is the way we sound out the number 15 when it is written in the ancient way that our people has written dates, using Hebrew letters.  (Like the Romans we used letters to signify numbers.)  Tu BiSh’vat is the 15^th day of the month of Sh’vat.  The rabbis of the Talmud declared this date to be the New Year of Trees, when the sap in the trees in Israel began to flow after the winter rains. 

In the late middle ages the Kabbalists living in the city of Safed in Galilee in Israel developed a seder to celebrate this festival.  In recent years the Tu Bish’vat seder has become a popular practice once again, often featuring a Zionist theme of returning to the Land of Israel and planting trees there or, more recently, a Jewish environmentalist theme.  This year our seder will feature both of these themes, as well as two rabbis and two cantors!  Rabbi Golden of the JCC and I will lead the seder along with Cantor Nitza Amit-Shama and Cantor Regina Lambert-Hayut, of Temple Beth Or (and a former cantorial intern at Temple Sinai).  Our Sisterhood is working together with the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades to put together the seder.

Hope to see you at our Shabbat Shirah service tonight at 7:30 and at 5:45 on Tuesday evening to celebrate Tu Bish’vat!

Shabbat Shalom,

Jordan