Abraham has always been my favorite biblical character. I connect with him because he is real; he has warts and strengths, family dynamics that resonate with me and he journeys in his relationship with God, his family and even himself. What inspires me most about Abraham though is his courage.
Abraham does not hesitate to negotiate with God about saving the righteous people of Sodom and Gomorrah. He risks his relationship with his sons and wives in multiple situations and I am sure it was not easy for him to take Isaac to the altar for sacrifice. For me, his first demonstration of courage was his choice to set off on a course and leave the familiar and comfortable for the unknown and uncharted. That is what we read this week in Parshat Lech Lecha; Abraham's journey and what becomes the first of countless acts of courage.
Courage is a strange thing; we all seek it and are proud to have it handy in our quiver but we are never quite sure where, when and how to use it. Most times, courage is up to our instincts and what feels right. Abraham made choices that instinctively felt right for him. Lately, I have found myself inspired by Abraham and his courage in a way that I never anticipated.
A little more than three weeks ago, the Jewish Standard, Bergen County's community Jewish newspaper printed a same sex wedding announcement in their celebration section. This was a first for the paper. The community responded with a firestorm of opinions. Many were supportive of the new initiative as representative of the plurality in the community. However, a large and vocal contingent of dissatisfied readers, predominantly Orthodox, claimed it was a violation of Jewish law from the Torah and demanded it be stopped.
The next week, the Standard printed the following statement: "A group of rabbis has reached out to us and conveyed the deep sensitivities within the traditional/Orthodox community to this issue...and the announcement caused pain and consternation. The Jewish Standard has always striven to draw the community together, rather than drive its many segments apart. We have decided, therefore, since this is such a divisive issue, not to run such announcements in the future."
This incident instinctively brought the courage out of my quiver. My instincts did not take over because of the large contingent of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or same sex couples that call Temple Emanu-El home. There are but a few known people with that orientation in our Temple. My courage kicked into gear because an act of discrimination was happening in our community and religion was being used as an excuse for such discrimination. I found this wrong and hypocritical and I could not stand by idly while such an abomination took place.
Our Jewish community is diverse. There are people of varying colors, theologies and practices that are all God's creation. Some might be Reform and others Orthodox; some might strictly observe the dietary laws and others might be scrupulous in business matters. But, regardless of our color, denomination, practice and theology, we are all created in the image of God and we are all Jews.
Since this issue erupted, I have stood up and been outspoken in favor of pluralism and the need for tolerance in our community and in particular, in our one Jewish newspaper. My voice has carried to the airwaves of radio, through the cables to television, through the printers to newspapers across the nation and over cyberspace to countless blogs, websites and virtual magazines. This is a topic that conveniently falls right into the national spotlight. Bergen County is still pained in the wake of Tyler Clementi's death, a young man that was 'outed' against his will by cyber bullying. We are confused and saddened by the suicide of six teenagers that were made to feel uncomfortable with their sexual identity and we are frustrated that NY gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino spewed anti gay remarks in an Orthodox synagogue surrounded by yarmulke wearing, bearded men as if to offer the imprimatur of the Jewish world to his comments of hate. The conflation of these events in addition to the Standard's choice in making and reversing its same sex announcement gave fuel to my recent words and actions.
Some might argue that I am speaking up for greater attention and national recognition. Cynics might suggest I have an agenda and some detractors might even say it is a political and liberal one. Critics could add that I am seeking to divide our community instead of drawing it closer. Not the case. Not the case at all. My agenda is simple; to cry foul in the face of wrong. If I do not, my silence might be misconstrued as an endorsement. Judaism teaches me to speak out in the face of wrong and Abraham models for me to use my courage appropriately, even when going to new and unfamiliar places.
Tomorrow, you are going to read about this journey in our community within the pages of the Jewish Standard. I doubt it will be the end of the conversation. Instead, I pray it is a meaningful and balanced part of an ongoing dialogue. I feel it is important for you to be a part of that discourse. Perhaps the courage of Abraham will inspire you to reach in your quiver as he has for me.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Kirshner
Click here to see Rabbi Kirshner on MSNBC's Last Word with Lawrence O'Donell discussing this issue.
Click here to hear Rabbi Kirshner's sermon on this issue from last Shabbat.
Click here to watch Rabbi Kirshner's sermon on this issue from last Shabbat.
Click here to read Rabbi Kirshner's op-ed on this issue.
Click here to read Rabbi Kirshner's invocation remarks about unity at the UJA-NNJ dinner
Click here to follow this issue and others on Temple Emanu-El's Facebook page
