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I'm concerned, different r eligions are like different out of the culture they were born into, and feel they must MICHELLE HESPE languages talking about the same thing. People made repress the other side of themselves to fit in the gay religion to help them, so I don't see why people can't community, the response can be to give up either their change it, when they realise that what they once thought gayness or their Jewish ness," says. "The float il:] a speaks to lesbian was true, isn't true a nymore. It is something we invented message to gay and lesbian' Jews, and to both to serve us, and if it does not serve us, then I believe we communities, that we can and do celebrate and welcome Ra bbi , Ariel Friedlander. have no right, but a duty to evolve and change it. both sides of our identity." A biblical perspective on homosexuality was what they Ariel speaks with even greater certainty. understood in those days, at that time. Other issues, not "If one believes that people ar e made in the image of just issues of homosexuality, even the most Orthodox of God, then all of us are in God's image. God can exist in a On the fourth of March, 2000, the Star of David will light Jews will admit, have changed over time. In biblical multitude of images at the same time, in each one of us. up Darlinghurst and beyond. For the first time in Mardi times, they believed that if you were left handed, there We are all how we are supposed to be. For anybody to say Gr as history, a motorised Jewish float will be a part of was something wrong dwith you. Now we know that's that someone is worse than they arc, or better than they Oxford Street celebrations. And flying in from Virginia, not true." are, is not for them to judge. Each onc of us is human and USA, to lead the float, will be Ariel Friedlander, one of The question is, why can't the same reassessment ofthe we're all trying to do the best that we can. the few lesbian standin g proud in the world. text be applied to homosexuality? Ariel pauses, always "I believe that the bible is all about teaching us how to Ariel Friedlander's excitement and pride is contagious. waiting t6 be slll"e of her choice of words. be in relationships. How we relate to each other, how we She can't believe that Sydney is buzzing with her name., "If there have been changes in the past, then why not relate to ourselves, and how we relate to people we love. She says it is her honour. I tell her no, the honour is all now? That's one of the reasons why I love being a . hate, work with, live with. It's about making the world as ours. She is the first gay Rabbi to set foot on Australian soil If it is not our responsibility to work out these issues, happy and as peaceful as we ca n." to offici ally represent both sides of Jewish identity. It is then who's is it?" Involvement in the Mardi Gras Parade is important, for Sydney's honour to be doing some serious groundbreaking. I mention to Ariel that I've spent the past few days in with every new face that joins the thousands, Whatever the results of the t"Ontroversy that will no doubt Sydney attempting to get some discussion going with encouragement is given to another . The Jewish float is a be stirred, Ariel hopes that her arrival here will open the some Orthodox Jewish Rabbis·about their thoughts on a ground breaking event. Of course, many Jews have doors · of discussion encouraging Rabbis in Sydney to lesbian Rabbi arriving in Sydney. I can almost see her previously been a pa rt of the Mardi Gras, participating in become involved in Jewish gay and lesbian issues. smile. I've become accustomed to all sort.s of responses. other general floats. Now, for the first time, they will be Ariel is a member of Reformed in America Lesbian rabbi? Excuse me? Did J hear you correctly? Can coming out as Jews. (often labelled as Progressive Ju.daism in ). that be right? Is that a joke? "It will be a reaffrrming experience for them , as well as From the Beth EI Synagogue in Harrisonberg a nd the Although I didn't have much luck on the discussion an opport~ll1ity for the gay and lesbian community to Temple of the House of in Stantun, she has front, Rabbi Apple did fax me some quotes from the appreciate bow much Jewish talent has contributed to it ," received the blessing of her congregation to join in the Torah, along with some of his own comments. It can be says. "Stars of David Come Out" float in the Mardi Gras. found within the pages of the Torah that "lying with a The float, designed by Jewish lesbian artist Larraine Orthodox Jews in both America and Australia have man a s if with a woman" is an "abomination" (Lev. 18:22, Larri, and largely sponsored by Satellite Media, will be differing views to this relatively new movement whe n it 2C:13; Deut. 22:5, 23: 18.). If we are to interpret that an enormous eight tonne truck spectacle based upon a comes to issues of homosexuality. Last May, for instance, message precisely, it could be said that homosexuals are Star of David theme. It will have the capacity to include "Aleph", a gay men's group. lost its bid to not being addressed here. For when does a gay man ever every Jewish gay or lesbian, and every supporter who become a member of the Jewish Community Council of lie with a man as if with a woman, when he does not lie wants to participate. Along with Ariel, other participants Victoria (JCCV). after intense lobbying from tho powerful with women at all? in the float will include David Gellman. president of the Victorian Rabbinic Council. The decision affects gay and Considering that the exact translation of the Hebrew Sha'ar Za'av; the world's largest gay synagogue. Perth lesbian Jews throughout the country, who can expect word in the Torah is not actuaUy "abomination" , but based internationally acclaimed Clinical psychologist Dr similar exclusions from the councils of their own states. "error", it appears that there has already been some Viv Cass, who pioneered affirmative research into gay There is however, always the hope of change, through adjustments made by mortal men. stages of development, and treasurer of The World both education and a rea ssessment of the ancient text, Ar~el has no problems talking about whatever issues Congress of J ewish Gay and Lesbian Organisations. the Torah. face herself and her people, acknowledging and Michael Kook. Orthodox Rabbi, Raymond Apple, of The Great appreciating the fact that she is a part of a movement Another special event which will take place in Mardi Synagogue Sydney, offered me some statements on that has made change, acceptance, and I presume Gras festivities is a Shabbat service, organised by The homosexuality according to . honesty, more possible. Dayenu Association. The Shabbat service, which is a "Judaism cannot accept homosexuality as a religiously "I'm speaking from the liberal end of the spectrum," she Jewish tradition signifying the beginning of the day of legitimate lifestyle, or sanction the marriage of says. "Put it this way, you have a text. A holy text. It is rest, will be attended by two Sydney Rabbis; Jackie Ninio homosexual partners." Yet all hope of change callnot be the legal code of our Jewish a ncestors. It was the rules, from Temple Emmanuel Woollahra, and Rabbi Alyson lost when this statement follows: "No·one can ignore the the same as we'have rules in any country. But if you look Conyer from Temple Emmanuel, Chatswood. While both realities of society, nor can one justify persecuting the gay at what is written there, it was written for primitive of these ministers are heterosexual, they will be the first community or denying human rights to its members." people, who were often nomads. We just don't live like Sydney Rabbis to officially support the rights of lesbians Not exactly acceptance, but at least a fa r cry that anymore. The job of the Rabbi is to reinterpret those and gays to hold a Shabbat service. The service, held the from condemnation. ancient texts so that they are still relevant to our lives night before the parade, will also have Ariel Friedlander For people to understand Judaism, a nd its impact upon and faith. Our religion says that this [text] is the centro in a ttendance. Ariel will also be conducting a class on issues of homosexuality, it is imperative to listen to of us as a people . How can you identify with something Judaism a nd homosexuality during her stay. co-convenor of the Dayen u Association, an that was made for nomads in the desert?" As I walked home from the office, having just spoken to active group of Gay Jews a nd their partners. "Being So again, who has the authority to make change? For a n Ariel Friedla nder, I decided to visit Sydney's Jewish Jewish is not just belonging to a religion, or a faith. You Orthodox Jew, only God has that authority. For a non- Museum. Upon the walls of the museum are the words of are born into, or convert, to being Jewish, and one of the Orthodox Jew, an educated person does. A teacher. In famous scribes throughout history, poetry, verse and Illany facets of belonging to this people, is the Jewish other words, according to P rogressive Judaism, a Rabbi proclamations from children and adults, expressing faith. One of the most powerful Jewish traditions, as has the authority to create change. pride, loss, grief, sadness and above all, hope. Hope for powerful as the religion itself, is a responsibility to social And what of those who may not be confiden t to come the fu ture. Hope for change. justice. It is a n act ual Jewish responsibility." out, as both a Jew and as gay? says that There is a vein which joins the knowledge of the Many diff~re n ces between the perspectives of Orthodox young gay Jews in particular, can feel lost and isolated Holocaust , a nd any other abuse or denial of human Jews and P rogressive Jews a re relative to the without a sense of community. righ ts. If people don't stand up a nd create change and interpretation of the bible, the Torah. So where do we "The Australian gay community is generally friendly acceptance, it will not happen. From the walls of the even begin when it comes down to a translation of what and welcoming of us as long as we blend in. If our museum, in the words of Edmund Burke: is right and wrong, in the eyes of God? Back to Ariel. differences show, we may find ourselves dealing with "Organised religion is something that people invented u nintended anti·Semitic stereotypes, frequently born of The only thing necessary fo,- the triumph of evil, in order to help us deal with the big questio ns. As far as ignorance rather than hostility. When gay Jews feel sh ut Is for good men to do nothing.

32 CAPITAL Q WEEKLY 25 February 2COJ