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Responsa

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Title	Organization/Author	Date
On Homosexual Marriage (1996) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa On Homosexual Marriage (1996) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa 1996 responsum regarding rabbinic officiation at a same gender wedding or commitment ceremony. The following topics are addressed: 1) Sexual Orientation, Homosexuality, and Jewish Tradition 2) Kiddushin, Reform Judaism, and Homosexuality 3) Gay and Lesbian Unions: Toward a Response Click here to view full text	CCAR	1996
B'rit Milah and AIDS B'rit Milah and AIDS 1991 responsum regarding precautions that a mohel should take to reduce risk of exposure to HIV and AIDS. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1991
HIV Testing Prior to Marriage HIV Testing Prior to Marriage 1990 responsum regarding whether Reform rabbis should require proof of HIV testing from couples prior to marriage. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1990
Conversion and Marriage after Transsexual Surgery Conversion and Marriage after Transsexual Surgery This CCAR Responsum addresses a complex two part question regarding: 1) "whether or not an applicant for conversion, after already having a sex-change operation, be allowed to have a religious conversion," and, 2) "if the applicant is converted, should the rabbi sanctify the civil marriage through a religious ceremony (kiddushin)? The particular situation is further complicated given that the applicant had a change of heart after sex reassignment surgery. After having his male genitalia removed and a cosmetic vagina constructed, he no longer desired to be a woman, and wanted to live as male. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1990
AIDS and Free Needles for Drug Addicts AIDS and Free Needles for Drug Addicts 1989 responsum regarding the ethical implications of programs that offer drug addicts free needles to reduce sharing of needles and the spread of HIV. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1989
Taharah and AIDS Taharah and AIDS 1988 responsum to questions regarding ritual preparation and burial of AIDS victims Click here to view full text	CCAR	1988
Responsibility of Person with AIDS Responsibility of Person with AIDS 1987 responsum to questions about the responsibilities of an "AIDS carrier"to society and about how Judaism would characterize "careless" behavior that could result in transmission of HIV to another person. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1987
Homosexual Marriage Homosexual Marriage 1985 responsum to a question asking if a rabbi may officiate at the "marriage" of two homosexuals. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1987
Lesbians and Their Children Lesbians and Their Children 1986 responsum to a question regarding the participation of two lesbians in the service of their child's Bar Mitzvah service. There is a summary in the teshuvah of the traditional texts that address lesbianism. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1986
Jewish Reaction to Epidemics (AIDS) Jewish Reaction to Epidemics (AIDS) 1985 responsum to a question about the traditional approach of Judaism to epidemics where there is no known cure for a disease. Both concern for public safety and for the ostracizing of people with AIDS form the context for the question. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1985
Homosexual Marriage Homosexual Marriage In 1985, Rabbi L. Poller, of Larchmont, NY authored a Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Responsum on Homosexual Marriage, raising the question: "May a rabbi officiate at the 'marriage' of two homosexuals?" Poller argues, "a rabbi cannot participate in the 'marriage' of two homosexuals." He supports this view by saying it is his belief, "none of the elements of kuiddushin (sanctification) normally associated with marriage can be invoked for this relationship." Pol Click here to view full text	CCAR	1985
Homosexual Convert Homosexual Convert 1982 responsum to question regarding the acceptablity of a "known and active homosexual" as a convert to Judaism. Cited in the teshuvah is a 1977 CCAR resolution calling for the decriminalization of "homosexual acts between consenting adults" and prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1982
Homosexuals in Leadership Positions (1981) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa Homosexuals in Leadership Positions (1981) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa 1981 responsum regarding the hiring of "openly" gay men and lesbians for synagogue positions. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1981
Marriage After a Sex-Change Operation Marriage After a Sex-Change Operation The 1978 CCAR Responsum on Marriage after a Sex-Change Operation addresses the question: "May a rabbi officiate at a marriage of two Jews, one of whom has undergone a surgical operation which has changed his/her sex?" Click here to view full text	CCAR	1978
Judaism and Homosexuality (1973) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa Judaism and Homosexuality (1973) - Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa 1973 responsum to a question from Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler (at the time president-elect of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) regarding a "congregation of homosexuals." Teshuvah is from Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof. The congregation that provoked the question is Beth Chayim Chadashim (Los Angeles), founded in 1972 and accepted as a member of the URJ in 1974. Click here to view full text	CCAR	1973

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