A vision of acceptance for all

There have been some especially distressing anti-gay sentiments arising from sections of the Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox Jewish communities in the USA in recent weeks.

Firstly, the New Jersey Standard published an apology to the Orthodox Jewish c

ommunity for the “pain and consternation” caused by running an announcement for a same-sex Jewish wedding, followed by a promise “not to run similar announcements again”. The paper’s website was inundated with messages conveying shock and disbelief at this attempt to pander to the financially powerful and influential Orthodox community.

Secondly, Ultra Orthodox Jewish leaders not only endorsed an anti-gay address delivered by New York Republican nominee for Governor Carl Paladino, but it transpires known homophobic rabbi Rabbi Yehuda Levin assisted in the preparation of the address.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an international Jewish organisation that combats hate and intolerance against Jews, promptly issued a strongly worded press release denouncing Paladino’s statements.

In Victoria we have the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), a similar organisation to the ADL, that exists as an arm of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria. The ADC claims in it’s Mission Statement that “We seek to secure justice and fair treatment for all people”.

Initial communication with the ADC about this issue has been met with a positive result, however in 2009 I approached the ADC to speak out against a Melbourne-based Orthodox Jewish website that published sickening anti-gay material.

They claimed that as the matter fell outside it’s remit of racism and anti-Semitism it was not able to comment.

I compare the powerful 2010 response of the ADL with the inadequate 2009 response of the ADC. Both organisations share a similar charter, yet one is crippled in it’s capacity to fight hate. I believe it is a victim of the agenda of it’s parent organisation, the JCCV, to similarly pander to the local Orthodox Jewish leadership.

It was recently put to me that “given the Jews were forced to wear yellow stars and the gays pink triangles by the Nazis one would expect there to be a bond of understanding”. Increasingly I find the oppressed are becoming the oppressor, yet they are blinkered to this and refuse to draw the parallel.

Fortunately there is some hope, with an increasing level of acceptance of homosexuality in the progressive and conservative Jewish communities. I have even heard from one ‘break-away’ Orthodox Jewish congregation in Melbourne that wants to open a respectful dialogue with GLBT Jews.

It is only with organisations and leaders who have a vision of inclusion and unconditional acceptance of all in the community that we will ever be able to achieve great things as a society.

By MICHAEL BARNETT. info: Michael Barnett is the convenor of Melbourne gay Jewish group, Aleph.