It's about time. You can read the full details here. Not that the Conservative movement is recognized in Israel. Remember, the Jews in Israel are overwhelmingly secular, but as the joke goes, the synagogue that they don't go to is Orthodox.
Of course, this joke has been told many ways, for many centuries. There is this version: Two Jews are shipwrecked on a desert island. After a few years, they are rescued. The captain of the rescue ship took a look at their arrangements and saw they had built three huts. He asked them what they were for. The first man explained, this is the synagogue I go to. The second man pointed to the second hut and said, this is the synagogue I go to. The captain was confused, and asked what the third hut was. They both replied, that's the synagogue neither of us would be caught dead in.
The CJLS committee decision allowed for different communities to make the decision individually as to whether to ordain or accept gay or lesbian clergy. It was a hot debate within JTS, but sense prevailed. I make fun of this dual decision, but there is something about it which is quite wonderful. Chancellor Eisen said it best:
"Pluralism means that we recognize more than one way to be a good Conservative Jew, more than one way of walking authentically in the path of our tradition and of carrying that tradition forward. It means, too, that we respect those who disagree with us and understand that in the context of all that unites us, diversity makes us stronger."
There's no Pope in Judaism. We agree to disagree and stay in holy community with each other. Even the orthodox, who no doubt consider this decision completely beyond the Pale (ahem) do not define the Reform or Conservatives as not being Jews. Which is one reason why I get to be a Buddhist too. By the way, while the CJLS adopted two contradicting opinions on the subject, the also published one opinion which is game-changing — the brilliant and controversial opinion of Rabbi Gordon Tucker, which shifts the paradigm in Judaism in a way that many people are too scared to go. I understand. But it is the way to go. I urge you to read it.
In any case, three cheers to JTS for doing the right thing, finally. Shehechiyanu — it is a blessing that I have lived to see this moment.
Comments