The Chronicle Reform rabbis’ decision raises questions for CJL By GREG PESSIN The Chronicle
Some people call homosexuals’ struggle for equality the next civil rights movement. And now it has fallen into the University’s lap.
After the Central Conference of American Rabbis decided last week to allow, but not require, its members to perform same-sex unions, Freeman Center for Jewish Life officials must now decide whether their facility will allow this controversial ceremony. Although many of the officials seem
enthusiastic about the possibility of at least allowing outside rabbis to perform these unions on campus, the decision still faces political obstacles, “I think it’s an important issue in Jewish life and I support [the Rabbis’ decision] completely,” said Eric Meyers, a CJL board member and Burnoose and Morton Lemer Professor of Religion. “I don’t know how it will impact the CJL. From my point of view, I have no problem with it. I would hope that whomever would make the decision would support it.” Members of the CJL board have discussed the possibility in the past and will likely tackle it more formally in coming weeks. The final decision will rest with CJL director Roger Kaplan. Kaplan said the question of same-sex unions will probably meet some opposition. “But the question is probably going
to come up, and we want to come to a community consensus. We haven’t made a decision yet because nobody’s come to us and we were hoping to get a rabbi who could bring us some insight from Jewish heritage and teachings.” Last week, the center hired Conservative rabbi Bruce Seltzer, whose branch of Judaism does not allow its rabbis to perform the ceremonies. Seltzer said he is wary ofcommenting on policy issues until he takes the post in July. “We have just hired a rabbi who belongs to the Conservative movement,” Kaplan said. “I believe that if it is a Reform rabbi who wants to use our space [to perform a same-sex union], yes we would do it.” That decision could cause a stir, especially among the strictest Jews, whose sects tell them the ceremony is antithetical to biblical law. On the other hand, a refusal to permit the ceremony could alienate more liberal members of the community.
Although its new rabbi is Conservative, the center was built to serve all members of the campus Jewish community. Its offerings range from Reform high holiday services to a kosher kitchen that is required by Orthodox and Conservative Jews. But the center’s attempts to foster pluralism have not always been successful—some local Orthodox Jews will not eat at its restauSee
SAME-SEX UNIONS on page 8 >■
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THE SANCTUARY in the Freeman Center for Jewish Life has never hosted a same-sex union, although some officials support the idea. The recent decision by the Reform rabbis will likely force the issue.
Politician looks at GPSC elects next year’s president religious leadership After a bit of prodding, Cybelle McFadden accepted the group’s nomination By DREW KLEIN
By LATASHA DAVIDSON The Chronicle Rev, Emanuel Cleaver 11, former mayor of
Kansas City, Mo,, addressed the issue of separation of church and state in a Divinity School speech yes-
terday. Cleaver represents American government’s complex interaction with “political Christians,” yet he said that he did not feel any conflict in his dual role as the city’s first black mayor and senior pastor at a large urban church. Labeled as “Satan unmasked” by many people who felt that religious leaders should not serve the secular world as well, Cleaver expressed many people’s viewpoint that politics are “quarrelsome” with religious faith. Often, he said, high-profile religious leaders espouse their own personal political positions and proclaim that they are God-directed. Often, he noted, “This voice of God is our own voice in disguise.” He argued that political Christians should show their goodness and honor through their actions. Cleaver comes from a long histoiy of political and spiritual activism. He became involved in the civil rights movement at age 15, worked under Martin Luther King Jr. and later became the Midwest regional vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. As mayor ofKansas City between 1991 and 1999, Cleaver passed a civil rights See CLEAVER on page 8 P-
The Chronicle
adding that she “was not ending that meeting until
there was a president.” But president or no president, the remainder of the The words “approved by affirmation” echoed around the room as cabinet position after cabinet position was meeting was as routine as clockwork. Exactly one candidate was nominated for each filled by unanimous consent at last night’s Graduate and Professional Student Council meeting—at least other cabinet position, and several candidates nominated themselves for a second term in the same office. until it came time to elect a president. from her Vess stressed that next year’s cabinet would have conCybelle arm-twisting peers, lots of After McFadden agreed to accept a nomination for GPSC’s siderably more experience than this year’s, in which ombudsperson Brenda Faiola was one of highest office. Several other candidates were all others declined their bids. the only returning office-holders. nominated, but Ryan Opel, a first-year graduate student “Pm definitely excited,” said McFadden, a in law and psychology, will serve as McFadsecond-year graduate student in French. den’s vice president next year. Opel was a representing forward to gradu“I’m looking law school representative to GPSC this ate and professional students.” She added, year in addition to his role as an at-large however, that she did not expect to run bemember of the executive committee. she assumed other candidates would cause Opel added that the executive commitbe interested in the post. tee is lucky to have members like Carol McFadden said she was particularly exChancey, a second-year graduate student cited about working with the strong cabinet in biomedical engineering and current that had already been elected at that point Cybeile McFadden GPSC vice president, and Vess in executive in the meeting. positions a fifthnext year. Current president Tomalei Vess, Vess assume will said she the role of ombudsperson next zoology, expected in student graduate year McFadden to perform well as the organization’s next year, while Chancey will move to the role of attorney president. “She’s been really good this year,” said Vess, general. GPSC members also nominated five representanoting McFadden’s communication and leadership tives to represent the organization to the Board of skills within her own department. Vess had prepared herself for the potential absence Trustees. These candidates must be approved by Presof a presidential candidate at the meeting’s onset. “I ident Nan Keohane before they are officially appointed was worried for a long time in that meeting,” she said, to their various committees.
Scientist discusses dangers of global warming, page 5 �Women’s tennis puts streak on line, page 15