Change: It Will Take Time

By Paige LaMarche
Baltimore Hebrew University

For the past 2 years, I have been immersed in the Jewish community of Baltimore. I attend school here, work as a USY advisor, interned in an agency of the Federation, and am surrounded by mostly Jewish friends, 24/7. I have had the opportunity to learn more about the wide variety of opinions of Jews from different backgrounds. My classmates and I are heading into the Jewish professional world within the next 2 years, and I am happy to say that we can expect conversation to be a source of constant inspiration.

Homosexuality is a hot topic in my classes, especially my Jewish ethics class, as well as in everyday conversations. When I speak with more liberal Jews, I mainly hear inclusive opinions. When speaking to more Orthodox Jews, the topic is either avoided or there is an air of exclusivity. But what happens when I speak with my fellow Conservative Jewish students? For the most part, they agree with me that a homosexual Jew should be accepted in our synagogues and community. But I attend a non-denominational school where all opinions are welcome, and are discussed at length from all sides. There are Jews from each denomination who disagree with the opinions that I have written. Oh Judaism, the only thing we can (usually) agree on is that there is one God.

As a Conservative Jew, born and bred, I have my opinions, and mine include the absolute inclusiveness of homosexuals in our movement. But I also know that it was less than three years ago that the movement began to accept the ordination of gay and lesbian rabbis. For those of us who are completely behind this epic decision, it was easy to accept. But we also need to remember that this acceptance is not easy for everyone. In most situations, change is a scary word. When it applies to an entire movement of people, it is even scarier! No one should expect that synagogues and USY would open their arms for all homosexual Jews, no matter how much it would be appreciated.

The truth is, this change will take time, and in some areas it will take forever. At my first KOACH Kallah in 2004, there was a GLBTA meeting, a safe-space. This was even what you might call "before the times." I was, and still am, proud to be part of a group that accepted the announcement of a meeting such as that one. I believe these kinds of meetings should occur in such places as USY International Convention, for kids and for staff. I am endorsing that someday this should occur at all Conservative synagogues. I put great emphasis on this because it is normal for any organization: change will take time. I hope that there is a communal embrace and homosexuals will feel comfortable being open and building families within our movement. This is a group of individuals who want to be part of Conservative Judaism and it will only hurt us if they are excluded.

Paige LaMarche is a Masters of Jewish Communal Service student at Baltimore Hebrew University in Pikesville, MD and has received her Certificate in Non Profit Management from Johns Hopkins University. She was active in college at Clark University in Worcester, MA and has an ever-growing passion for traveling to developing countries and doing Tikkun Olam.

[Posted 5/23/09]