Same Sex Marriage welcomed
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has welcomed the passing of Same Sex Legislation.
Executive director Peter Wertheim told J-Wire: “The issue was discussed at the ECAJ annual conference on November 26 which supported the legislation.”
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has told J-Wire it is delighted that marriage equality has now been legislated and that all Australians regardless of their sexual orientation, and their families, will be treated as equal under Australian law.
JCCV President Jennifer Huppert stated, “This was a difficult and contentious process but we welcome the outcome. The JCCV would like to thank past Executives of the JCCV, the JCCV LGBTI Reference Groups and affiliates for their advocacy and support throughout this difficult process, and appreciate that the Australian Government retained its commitment to ensure legislation passed by the end of the year.”
Jennifer Huppert
“We also recognise the impact that the debate and survey had on the LGBTI members of community, and hope that anyone facing mental health concerns as a result, seek appropriate support and assistance.”
“We must also ensure that our community is inclusive for all community members and that our community organisations maintain inclusive practices and procedures to ensure LGBTI individuals and their families feel welcome, respected and valued.”
Those seeking support and assistance can download a copy of the JCCV LGBTI Services Directory at www.jccv.org.au to seek support from an appropriate service provider.
Same sex couples still have to wait a month before marriages can be performed. The Bill requires the signature of the Governor-General.
In Sydney, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies sent a hearty mazal tov to all the LGBTI members of the community, their families and friends, and all who made the same-sex vote in the House of Representatives possible. They said: “We look forward to celebrating many simchas with them in the future.”
The above is a sad example of how bereft of leadership our community is. May I remind the ECAJ and JCCV as well as a number of other Jewish organizations that have chosen to dance around the golden calf of political correctness that they do not represent the very large number of traditional Jews that still cling on to Jewish values and voted against SSM for this reason. I can see no mention in the above statement of any recognition of the impact on us including the vilification and derogatory insults suffered during the campaign. Also, we are yet to hear a peep from our ‘umbrella’ bodies concerning the inevitable danger to society that has now been wrought with the looming defeat of amendments to religious exemptions that would have provided some measure of protection for faith based organizations.
It is clear that ‘pluralism’, ‘tolerance’, ‘inclusion’ and ‘diversity’, apply to everyone except those of us who wear a kippah and believe in Torah values.
Robert, I agree with you 100% and I am member of a Reform synagogue. The issue is not that of kippahs but of keeping Jewish values. The way I see it Jews can ignore some Jewish practices, but to stay within the tent of Moses, we cannot celebrate that which is expressly condemned. And homosexuality is describes as an abomination in the bible. We can accept, respect and love Jews who are not heterosexual, but we must reject their sexual practices. More importantly, we must not accept them as suitable role models for children that they themselves cannot produce and we must not accept their self description which devalues the life affirming traditional Jewish relationship of marriage between a woman and a man. Our leadership has gone astray. Jews from secular to ultra-orthodox must join together to lead our leadership back to Jewish values.
“Our leadership has gone astray.”
Have you written to them asking to not support equality under the law?
Love always wins out. L’Chaim.
Michael, some love money, some love power, some love popular movements or ideologies. None of that is marriagable. And neither is that between two people who cannot produce a child. Same sex marriage is not love or equality and what has now been legislated is simply the creation a sense of normality among people who know that something is lacking. Very much like in the Wizard of Oz, where the lion is given a heart to prove he is brave of the straw man an award to show that he has a brain, two attributes our political leaders lack.
Paul, under Australian law marriage does not require procreation. Even you would understand that people get married who are well beyond child-rearing capability.
That said, it is irrelevant what you think marriage is because the world has moved on. Any couple can raise a child if they wish, and have the protection of the law in the process.