Wernick wants “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” overturned
Rabbi Steven Wernick, the recently installed head of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, argues that Jewish and American values dictate that gays should be allowed to serve in the military.
Part of that, of course, was because the nascent state didn't have the luxury of turning too many people away from its military, but part of it comes from the Jewish ideal of k'vod habriyot, human dignity. The U.S. military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, simply put, is an affront to k'vod habriyot, and it should be overturned.
The United States was founded on the principles that all people were created equal. We know that sexual orientation is innate, and it cannot be God's will to give gay men and lesbians less dignity than God has given the rest of us. We believe strongly, therefore, that every American citizen, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, should have the right to serve our country. And no American citizen should have to lie about the person he or she most loves. The "don't ask" part of the "don't ask, don't tell" equation is on target - it is no one's business, ever. But the "don't tell" part is a violation of every person's right to seek love, and the right that Thomas Jefferson affirmed for us, the right to the pursuit of happiness.
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As thoughtful Jews we are all struggling to connect a complex and multi-vocal tradition to contemporary issues. Rabbi Wernick’s statement distills years of reflection, learning and debate within the Conservative movement about gay rights in civil society. By referencing both core American and Jewish values he provides a useful model to guide the ongoing work of Conservative Jews entering the public policy arena. He is to be applauded for his leadership.
Kudos to Rabbi Wernick.
Senator Barry Goldwater famously said “You don’t have to be straight in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight. “
The military should be a place that values diversity, fairness, and equality.
The current position does not make sense financially and it does not make sense morally.
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JEROME GINSBURG
02/10/10 06:51 PM
THE RABBI IS A KNEE JERK LIBERAL. TELL THIS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ALL THE ABUSED KIDS. THEY HAD THE POLICY HE ADVOCATES, RESEARCH THE MILITARY HISTORY BEFORE THE ADOPTION OF THE POLICY AND SEE THE ABUSE THAT HISTORY DOCUMENTS. LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY DOMINATED BY GAYS AND SEE HOW OPEN THEY ARE TO ANYONE NOT GAY.
DO NOT USE A POSITION THAT APPEARS TO MEAN YOU SPEAK FOR ALL JEWS WHEN YOU ARE GIVING YOUR PERSONAL OPINION. AND YOUR MEDICAL OPINION THAT BEING GAY IS INNATE IS AS VALID AS THE “SCIENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING”
ALSO LEARN WHEN SPEAKING TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE ARE PEOPLE OF THE OPPOSITE OPINION BOTH JEWS AND NONE JEWS WHO CAN VALIDLY DISAGREE WITH YOUR OPINION UNLESS YOU HAVE THE ONLY DIRECT PHONE TO GOD.