For Your Consideration March 2004
First and foremost, March is the month of Purim. If you're sick of winter or anything else, your only choice is to be with us for the Megillah Reading on Sunday, March 7. I can't guarantee Mel Brooks, but I can promise great fun, pandemonium, and a very fine antidote to the March Blues.
As for the rest of the month, I'm afraid more serious matters are on my mind. First, there is the issue of same sex marriage in Massachusetts. By the time you read this article, the process of amending the state constitution to ban same sex marriage may have begun. I lament this development because I believe we should be embracing the opportunity to affirm that same sex partners can love each other and be totally committed to each other. More healthy marriages aren't a danger to society; they are a blessing for us all.
I was one of those in the Northeast region of the Reform rabbinate who helped author a resolution in favor of same sex marriage. The resolution is available on our Temple web site. I urge you to read it so that you can see how modern Jews can read the Torah in a progressive way. I also hope you'll consult the resolution because it my embolden you to take action on behalf of same sex marriage.
On another topic, Mel Gibson's film on "the passion" should also be in theaters by now. This past Fall I offered a course on the New Testament so that Sinai members could be more responsible viewers of the film. Every report I have read since then suggests that the movie will be violent and upsetting. Although I am hesitant about subjecting myself to the film, I think I will see it. I will then speak about it at our March 19 service.
If you do see the movie before then, I suggest responding with restraint. Mr. Gibson is "dying" to make his movie even more popular by tricking Jews into public protest. That is not the way to go. Our good Christian friends are the ones for whom this is truly sacred text. If the movie is troublesome, I will respectfully let them take the lead. Come visit with me on March 19 and we can talk some more.