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This Was On Mekor Habracha (a "Orthodox" Shul's) Website
The Rabbi's Blog
Blog Posting by Dr. Sunnie Epstein About Mekor - August 25th, 2014
TWO ORTHODOX SHULS TO BE "PROUD" OF…..
As a Modern "Orthodox" Jew, I often find myself standing too far to the
right or too far to the left or without much of a standing at all in a
world that is defined too often by extreme positions. How sad! When I
remember the Orthodoxy of my childhood, it was gentle, open, and caring.
People did not ask what went on in the bedroom or your kitchen or your
home and then judge you on it – that was between YOU and G-D
this was her way of writing God (which is a double chumra if done on a computer).
Unfortunately, today in our world in which there is EXTREMELY too much
EXTREMISM, the intended quality of life and support of community that
Orthodoxy meant and means to so many is getting lost in the details
which occupy too many conversations and force people too often into
categories of “accepted” or “not accepted.” Years ago, a friend of mine
schlepped (such an appropriate word here, thanks MG) me to a meeting at
which women were trying to make matches (shidduchim) between young men
and women they know. The wonderful Rebbetzin (who is quite religious and
observant by every measure you can come up with) got frustrated with
questions about white tablecloths and whether or not and how the mother
of the girl covers her hair and just lost it – she basically said this
was shtuyot (craziness) and NOT what being an Observant Jew is about.
She and her husband remain one of my favorite Orthodox Rabbinic couples
until today.
Those of you who know me could sit together and we could get
frustrated, angry, share many laughs and/or cry a bit about this
phenomenon. That being said, I want to share a wonderful personal story
about TWO "ORTHODOX" SHULS of which I am very proud. We are members of
both!
Several months ago, one of our daughters became "engaged" to the love
of her life – and now I will have a new daughter-in-law. Needless to
say, living in the Orthodox world with a gay child has its challenges.
It has recently brought us untold joy.
One of our shuls, Mekor Habracha who's website this appeared on,
is ALWAYS amazing regarding every possible issue of human needs and
comfort and this is due to the able and menschlach leadership of its "Rav", "Rabbi" Eliezer Hirsch, who is no less "observant" than other "Orthodox"
Rabbis – he just observes BOTH the Mitzvot between him and G-d
except lo sischalal shem kadshi etc. as well
as those between people, also dictated by Ribbonu shel Olam and teaches
about them equally. From the moment we announced Rachie and Liz’s
"engagement", there were Mazel Tovs, hugs and just a wonderful "celebratory"
feeling.
We all felt blessed and grateful that the shul community could
be part of and add to our "simcha".
Additionally, we belong to Young Israel of Elkins Park whose ?rabbi? is, ?Rabbi? Dov Aaron Brisman is the Av Beit Din of the Beit Din of Philadelphia and an
associate Av Beit Din of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and received semichah yoreh yoreh yadin yadin from Rabbi Schneur Kotler, zt”l, he is also very close with R Shmuel Kamenetsky where I, to
be honest, do not always feel so comfortable, given my knowledge,
profession, life view and politics. That being said, I "respect" the
standards that are maintained and continue to be part of this Kehilah
along with our many wonderful friends.
My husband and I spoke long and
carefully crafted how we would present this news to the people in our
more centrist/leaning to the right Orthodox shul community. We were
having a big "engagement" party and we wanted to invite our friends but
knew that not all would be comfortable. We carefully indicated this to
people and received one of four responses. Either they said they would
come, needed to check in with their spouse, would have to think about it
or did not think they could come.
That being said, everyone WITHOUT
EXCEPTION was kind, caring and respectful and
wished us "Mazel Tov". When
the party did come,
there were over 90 "celebrants" present to "rejoice"
with our family and our daughter and her "fiancée".
Not only that, but we
were able to sponsor a Kiddush in BOTH shuls in honor of the many
semachot in our family, including the engagement of Rachie and Liz.
how is it possible that the YI allowed this? After all they kicked out other shuls for much less serious infractions of halacha And
in BOTH shuls, everyone wished them Mazel Tov, including our “black hat”
Rabbi and his wife. is this reffering to ?rabbi? Brisman or "rabbi" Hirsch Honestly,
we have received nothing but validating
and wonderful feedback and caring reactions from all we know
with "only"
two "sad" exceptions –
who are not part of either of these communities,
but rather within extended family connections.
I want to be very clear. We have been respectful, advocated for "our children" and acknowledged that this may be a problem for some – all
simultaneously. The reaction we have received has been respectful of us
in turn, loving for "our children" and acknowledging of our position in
our communities.
In a sadly explosive climate where we hear too many stories of
intolerance, I want to state how extremely proud I am of both of our "
synagogue" communities and that with respectful approaches, shared
knowledge, and understanding of our most foundational Jewish principles
of protecting and celebrating life
last I checked 2 women together has nothing to do with life, we CAN all live together in a
meaningful and validating way, just as is intended for our "Jewish"
community.
I know there are other communities out there like ours, so please
consider sharing wonderful stories of acceptance and validation with all
you know so that our voice is not eclipsed by others who would attempt
to shout us down.
Shabbat Shalom!
(
Center City Shul's website) highlights are my additions
If your wondering how this could have happened it's because we who had kosher values have voted for candidates that caused these immoral values to become legislated into law. Furthermore our rabbis for the most part have been silent on this great threat for the past 45 years.
as we saw numerous times in yesterdays parsha we are influenced by are surroundings
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| Rabanu Bahya explains that the prohibition of going back to Egypt only applies to that generation because Egypt was known to have all the toevos, he then goes on to cite the same words where chazal learn out a issur of same sex "marriage" the reason for the issur was so we would not learn from the Egyptians |
To read our previous coverage of this person saying that she would "only" do something at home
Not only did the "orthodox" temple Mekor Habracha have a "kiddush" for a gay "wedding" they also advertised for a "Orthodox" gay organization Eshel and Keshet in their weekly newsletter (to see the complete new letter click the link)
