Locals sound off on being gay and Jewish

Gay Jews face the double challenge of fitting in with the larger Jewish community as they come to terms with their sexual identities, and also search for a place in the GLBT community.

Like blacks, Hispanics and others, Jews experience being a minority within a minority. This can pose its own set of problems when trying to reconcile the long traditions of one’s family with the ever-changing flux of the gay world. There’s also the gap between religion and sexuality, which certainly doesn’t only affect GLBT Jews, but, given their close family situations, it can impact in some cases even more than other minorities.

Those who follow traditional, observant Judaism have to confront Talmudic Law, which governs every aspect of daily life. The generally accepted interpretation of Jewish scripture is that same-sex relationships are forbidden and expressions of same-sex sexual attraction condemned.

For people who practice Orthodox Judaism, traditions are sacred and must be obeyed. For Conservative Jews, the situation is more fluid. Reform Judaism has accepted homosexuality. Gay rabbis are routinely ordained. (Conservative Judaism is currently grappling with that question.) In fact, Reform Judaism became the first major religious denomination to provide for same-sex union ceremonies.

For Jews who don’t choose to live the heterosexual norm, a sense of alienation from their own community can compound the homophobia from the outside world around them.

"Being gay and being Jewish are two large parts of my life," says Daniel Kertzner, who came out when he was in his 20s. Kertzner grew up with no formal Jewish education but did observe the Jewish holidays with his family. See  Locals sound off on being gay and Jewish
EDGE Boston, MA