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timmy
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Location: UK, in Devon
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Survey Finds Majority of Conservative Movement Favors Gay Ordination
-- Survey Also Speaks to Unity on Other Movement Principles --
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sherry Kirschenbaum
(212) 678-8953; (973) 650-6018 (mobile); Email
New York, NY, January 31, 2007 ― A national survey has been conducted by Professor Steven M. Cohen, commissioned by The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in cooperation with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) to understand the thinking of key constituents in the Conservative Movement on the issue of gay and lesbian ordination.
"The survey elicited a tremendous response from leaders, activists, and community alike," said Professor Cohen. "Not withstanding the deeply-held feelings on this issue, the results point to four areas of strong consensus in the Conservative Movement: a commitment to halakhah, support for women as clergy, and opposition to both patrilineal descent and rabbis officiating at mixed marriages. The consensus around these issues speaks to the underlying unity and distinctiveness of the Conservative Movement."
"Our intent was and is to know what Conservative Jews rabbis and cantors, educators and executives, board members and students think about this important matter: admitting and ordaining/investing openly gay and lesbian students in our rabbinical and cantorial schools," stated Arnold Eisen, Chancellor-elect of JTS. "Of particular note is the remarkable unity of Conservative Jews nationwide in their support of the centrality of halakhah as a key principle of Conservative Judaism. The survey gives us data on this score as one factor among many to bear in mind as we consider a complex and controversial decision that will undoubtedly have a major impact on the future direction of JTS and the Conservative Movement. A final decision on this matter is expected this spring. We are grateful to Professor Cohen for conducting the study so professionally and quickly, and for providing his services to us pro bono."
The survey is part of a process to assist the leaders of JTS, the USCJ, and the RA in determining policy reactions to the recent decision on homosexual behavior by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. To date, the heads of the other seminaries affected by the CJLS decision have discussed the issue with Professor Eisen, who is also receiving feedback through his nationwide "listening tour," meetings with students, and via the JTS website. Faculty discussions are ongoing.
Invitations to participate in the survey were sent to 18,676 email addresses. The lists encompassed much of the top clerical, professional, and lay leadership of the Conservative Movement, and included rabbis, cantors, educators (including camp directors), United Synagogue Youth advisors, executive directors, USCJ board members, presidents, some congregational officers, and activists (including college students).
5,583 responses were received; 4,861 from invitees, and 722 who responded to a public access website.
Major findings include:
Large majority favors gay and lesbian rabbis and cantors:
● Rabbis are largely in favor (65% in favor to 28% opposed, with others unsure), as are the cantors by a similar margin (67% to 27%), while lay leaders split 68% to 22%.
● JTS students also favor admitting gay and lesbian rabbinical students: (58% to 32% for the rabbinical students; 58% to 21% for the cantorial students, and 70% to 21% for all other JTS students.
● Among Conservative educators, executive directors, and other professionals are in favor (76% to 16%), while lay leaders split 68% to 22%, and students, USY and others (largely public access respondents) divide 70% to 20%.
Substantial variation by country, gender, age, and observance. Support for gay ordination is:
● Higher in the United States than Canada, Israel, or elsewhere in the world.
● Higher among women than among men.
● Higher among younger people than among older people (among those twenty-five and over).
● Higher among the less observant than among the more observant.
Gender Gap:
● Men divide on the issue of gay rabbis and cantors 60% in favor to 33% opposed.
● Women are more heavily pro-acceptance, by a margin of 86% to 10%.
The survey also found that large majorities of respondents are united on the centrality of halakhah to Conservative Judaism, support of women as clergy, and opposition to both patrilineal descent and rabbis officiating at mixed marriages. These areas provide the basis for shaping consensus and direction in the future.
Editors/Reporters: To obtain a copy of the full fifty page report, or to schedule an interview with Prof. Steven M. Cohen, please contact Sherry Kirschenbaum in the Department of Communications at (212) 678-8953 or email.
Founded in 1886 as a rabbinical school, The Jewish Theological Seminary today is the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism worldwide, encompassing a world-class library and five schools. JTS trains tomorrow's religious, educational, academic and lay leaders for the Jewish community and beyond.
Visit the JTS website.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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