Hot Topic: LGBT Rights

Sharon and Jacklyn have been in a relationship for nearly 20 years. But when they met with the Rabbi to plan for their daughter’s bat mitzvah, the rabbi informed them that since Sharon and Jacklyn were not technically married (they had moved from Florida, a state without gay marriage), according to synagogue policy, they would not be allowed to stand with their daughter when she was called to the Torah as a bat-mitzvah. GRADES: 7-10, 50 minutes ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is the nature of a Biblical to-evah - taboo, or abomination), and how does this influence our thinking about homosexuality? LESSON AT A GLANCE Leviticus 18:22 is often cited as a proof text for exclusion of homosexuals in religious communities. This lesson explores the nature of the text, and compares it to other to-evot in the Bible, and to our contemporary understandings of an abomination or a taboo. OBJECTIVES · Introduce students to the term to-evah (abomination, taboo), and explore what this means for our understanding of the Biblical treatment of gay sexual acts. · Encourage students to think broadly about how LGBTQ people are treated in our communities. Nathan Weiner is the Education Director and Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Marlton, NJ