More on the Conservative movement and its non-decisions.

First, a rabbi from Masorti movement in Israel accuses his colleagues, both in Israel and America, of "singling him out" as "persona non-grata". His crime? Conducting 10 same-sex weddings in the past 5 years.

Now, there's the argument that rabbis shouldn't be doing something that their own movement disallows, and I think that actually has some validity. But it's also clearly a symptom of the deep divisions, and lack of clear-cut leadership (and a process through which change can be addressed, or effected) at work in the Conservative Movement. The kind of anarchy that Lazar's activity illustrates seems to be a rather glaring example of some of the major problems Conservative Judaism is suffering from. Instead of actively grappling with the halchic (and policy) problems and issues that the existence of gay Jews creates, the C.M. instead prefers to stall, pleasing no one and perpetuating a status-quo of "see no gays, speak no gays" that has yet to appease anyone.

In a related matter, the Forward has some analysis about the latest reversal by the C.M. Law Commitee:

The motion, passed 106 to 37 with 24 abstentions, allows the Conservative movement’s top lawmaking body, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, to approve major revisions to Jewish law with the approval of 13 out of 25 voting members. It overturns the decision by the R.A.’s executive council last June to establish a 20-vote threshold for major changes.

Very interesting. The Friar will be keeping a close eye on this. Stay tuned.

Also, at the same conference, we got to hear chancellor Ismar Schorsch remind everyone how old he is.

"If the Conservative movement chooses to do something at the expense of the halachic system, then it's going to pay the price down the road," Schorsch told the Forward in a reiteration of his longstanding opposition to lifting the ban on homosexuality. "The erosion of our fidelity to Halacha is what brings us close to Reform Judaism."

Heaven forbid! It's always nice to see some bridge-building between the traditionalist C.Js and the Orthos- in this case, Reform-Bashing. Nice send-off, Chancellor. Don't let the car door hit you on your way out.