89th Street
We are again the proud owners of our former Community House at 270 W. 89th Street.
Marriage Equality Hevra
“And God said, Let us make human in our image, after our likeness … And God created human in God’s image.”
-Genesis 1:26-27
Goal:
To strengthen the faith-based movement for Marriage Equality.
Objectives:
To advocate for the enactment of New York State legislation that affirms the right of same-sex couples to have the same freedom to access civil marriage and to have the same lawful rights as other couples.
To ensure that our federal, state and local governments fully respect the legal civil marriages of same-sex couples.
To oppose all attempts including constitutional amendments and the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) to limit access to civil marriage for same-sex couples.
NYC clergy show their support for marriage equality at BJ on May 30, 2006.
BJ's Marshal T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellows Dara Frimmer and Lauren Holtzblatt demonstrate for marriage equality at rally on July 6, 2006
See more photos of our efforts to win marriage equality:
“Civil Rights & Sacred Rites,” interfaith rally at BJ on May 30, 2006
Demonstration in the West Village on July 6, 2006
Our Stories
“Being an active member of the Marriage Equality Hevra has helped me bring together, to fuse, what I thought were disparate parts of who I am — being part of the Gay and Lesbian community and being Jewish.”
— Linda Golding
“As a participant in the marriage equality forum, I have become part of a BJ community. It is wonderful to see my fellow hevra members at Shabbat services and to know that we are working together towards a day when all families will be treated equally.”
— Marlene Halpern
“The very existence of the hevra reaffirms my commitment to the Jewish community, and my pride in being a BJ member. Knowing that I am part of a group of people who take the scriptural injunction to pursue justice seriously strengthens my own commitment to social action, not only for the GLBT community, and the Jewish community, but for all.”
— Mark Horn
Learning More
Download Marriage Equality Hevra trifold brochure.
The B’nai Jeshurun Marriage Equality Hevra supports the right of gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil marriage because we believe that all human beings are created b’tselem elohim (in the divine image). As such, civil law must be inclusive of every person and must be applied equally. Discrimination directed toward any individual or group diminishes our humanity.
The hevra’s membership reflects the diversity of the synagogue’s membership – gay and straight; parents, grandparents; married, divorced, widowed, single, living together; male and female; ages 22-70+; observant and casual; decision makers and pacesetting activists.
We are you. We stand for the shared social justice ideals and goals of the community and work to apply them our everyday lives. For the Marriage Equality Hevra, our work is a way to put our Jewish values into practice.
As BJ’s Rabbi Felicia L. Sol says, “In our community, everyone has an important role. Straight or gay, woman or man, rich or poor, young or old – it makes no difference. Sadly, the commitment ceremonies we perform for gay and lesbian couples aren’t matched by New York State legal recognition. Until that happens, we’ll continue to work for full civil rights for all New Yorkers.”
Learn more from our partners:
Empire State Pride Agenda
Current Hevra Project
Do Not Stand Idly By: A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives
We invite you to join our Rabbis in participating in a national awareness campaign to create supportive Jewish communities that foster respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people, young and old. Please sign the Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives that asks you to commit to treat everyone with dignity and respect and to take action if you see someone being bullied.
Upcoming Event: Crossing the Bridge for Marriage Equality, September 26, 2010