Gays may sanctify union in Progressive shuls

Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell

However, I don’t share his view that lesbians and gays have no Jewish home in South Africa at all. Although in South Africa the Progressive communities are, in relation to their Orthodox counterparts, smaller, they are still very much alive and reflect what is the common sense and approach of the Progressive/Reform movement worldwide.

This means that gays and lesbians, as well as all other members of our Jewish community are welcomed and have a home in our congregations to honour their Jewish heritage and to build a Jewish future.

And without any doubts, gays and lesbians can sanctify their partnership in the form of a chuppah and civil union in all Progressive communities in South Africa. Both I and my colleagues are happy to officiate for those couples just as we do for any other couple.

Just recently, the chairman of the Southern African Union for Progressive Judaism, Alvin Kushner as well as the chairman of the Progressive Rabbinic Association (SAAPR), Rabbi Greg Alexander, confirmed in a statement following the US Supreme court ruling, the general position for all progressive communities in South Africa:

The Progressive Jewish community in South Africa is robust and is proud to enforce the rights enshrined in the South African Constitution that guarantees equal protection before the law of all citizens regardless of sexual orientation.

Bet David Progressive Jewish Congregation, Sandton