Orthodox rabbi marries gay couple
An openly-gay American rabbi has become the first man ordained by the Orthodox movement to officiate a same-sex wedding ceremony.
Last week, openly gay Rabbi Steven Greenberg presided over the wedding of Yoni Bock and Ron Kaplan at Washington DC’s 6th and I Historic Synagogue, with 200 guests looking on.
The couple had dated since 2005 and agreed to get married in 2008, choosing to wait until it became legal.
“We were encouraged by the legislation of same-sex marriage in our home ‘state’ of Washington, DC,” Bock and Kaplan wrote in the ceremony guide.
“At the same time, both of us wanted a ceremony that would be meaningful halachically (in terms of religious Jewish law) and create a set of Jewish legal obligations between us.”
A number of Jewish same-sex couples have now married in US areas that acknowledge gay and lesbian unions, but none were officiated by a rabbi who holds Orthodox ordination.
Greenberg publicly admitted his sexuality following his ordination from an Orthodox rabbinical school, making him the first openly gay practising Orthodox rabbi.
His book, Wrestling with God and Men: Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition, led him to be shunned by some in the Orthodox community.
See more of the wedding ceremony here.
Fred Kol Akavod.May your union be blessed An inspiration
MAZELTOV. What a glorious moment- So cool to see you had a full shul – inspiring a sense that you are respected and valued by your community. I am involved with the gay jewish group here in sydney Australia – and can only say what an inspiration it is to see history in the making. May you each enjoy the delights which your relationship can bring to your private moments together – while knowing that your willingness to be available to the world, has made one Jewish feigele feel all gooey inside. Kol Tov.
Also great to see the amazing work which Rabbi Steve Greenberg is doing and look forward to seeing more of the work of Keshet downunder – as we are currently negoitating to get a training programme happening. Any contact welcome [email protected]
Poor Moti, still waiting for the Messiah! A long wait ahead for you sweetheart!
The only ‘meaning’ that this has halachicly is that it is forbidden by halacha. All the involved parties know that full well. The whole thing is a sad fiction. You want to be a couple? No one can stop you. But don’t force it on a religious culture (halachic Judaism) that clearly prohibits this. That is simply dishonest. You’re concerned about traditional Judaism? Maybe this sham can fool people; but do you believe you are fooling the same God you claim to believe gave the Torah at Sinai? This makes no sense at all. It is intellectually and religiously dishonest.