Lesbian rabbi says she's White House-bound
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah of New York, which bills itself as the world's largest synagogue for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, announced on Tuesday that its Senior Rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum, had accepted an invitation from President and Mrs. Obama to attend the White House Hanukkah reception on Wednesday.
"I am delighted to represent the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and queer communities at the White House in celebrating this holiday of freedom and liberation with President and Mrs. Obama,” Kleinbaum said in a statement. "The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community knows what it is to fight for equality and freedom and we are looking to President Obama to exercise leadership in this struggle. I am honored to be included and look forward to inviting the President and Mrs. Obama to CBST.”
In a release, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah said it is “committed to the idea that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are wholly legitimate members of the Jewish people, are equally legitimate members of civil society, and have a unique and essential contribution to make to the life of Judaism and society. It is this commitment to social justice and gender equality that has also attracted straight and even non-Jewish adults to our community.”
Comments
I am intrigued by the Rabbi's use of the word "queer" when describing the people she represents.
Posted by: DJ | December 16, 2009 11:09 AM
This congregation says it is “committed to the idea that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are wholly legitimate members of the Jewish people". This is only true if you throw the Torah out the window and make up your own rules. G-d has made His plan very clear from the very beginning of creation. He created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Joe.
Posted by: Rev Tim Lehmann | December 16, 2009 12:08 PM
DJ--I'm not. Many LBGT people have reclaimed the word "queer," stripping it of its power as a slur. I've known people who describe themselves solely as queer.
Posted by: Shannon | December 16, 2009 1:00 PM
Hey DJ, could you be not so vague and possibly coy as to how and why you are "intrigued" by the Rabbi's use of the word "queer" and share it with us? Your partial thought hangs like a fart in the air.
Posted by: kenneth the menneth | December 16, 2009 1:04 PM
I'm impressed with the Rabbi's used of the word "queer." It is a term that is becoming more mainstream as more people choose to identify as Queer. For instance, I am a bisexual man who identifies as Queer for social and political purposes.
Posted by: Joe Reilly | December 16, 2009 1:33 PM
Queer has not be reclaimed, its been misused as far as the LGBT community, as has the word gay actually. At its core its totally negative but we live in a world where the wrong has become right.
These people are not glorifying God in the least. The devil will continue to decieve until people repent and place their faith in Christ.
Posted by: Paul | December 17, 2009 9:16 AM
Words words words.
~ William Shakespeare
Posted by: Ace | December 17, 2009 10:36 AM