Next Tuesday, April 28, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on four combined cases relating to marriage equality. The joint suit is known by one of the cases, Obergefell v. Hodges, and could establish the freedom to marry in all fifty states. As oral arguments approach, the RAC has joined other faith organizations in co-sponsoring a National Weekend of Prayer for marriage equality on April 24-26, 2015.
From advocating against the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in the 1990s to joining amici briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Reform movement has a long history of supporting marriage equality. The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) passed a resolution in support of civil marriage equality in 1996 and the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) passed their own resolution in support of marriage equality in 1997. Additionally, in 2000, the CCAR passed a resolution allowing Reform Rabbis to officiate weddings of same-sex couples. The stances in these resolutions were reflected in the decision by the URJ to sign onto a denominational amicus brief and CCAR and Women of Reform Judaism to sign onto a different amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs and the freedom to marry.
With oral arguments less than a week away, we are asking Reform congregations to sign up to join congregations nationwide for a National Weekend of Prayer for the freedom to marry this coming Shabbat. This weekend, add a prayer to your service for marriage equality to mark the momentous occasion occurring at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. In addition to the National Weekend of Prayer, consider joining a local event in the days leading up to oral arguments.
Jewish tradition that emphasizes that we are all created in the Divine image, b’tzelem Elohim (Genesis 1:27), and should therefore not be discriminated against based on our intrinsic identities. As oral arguments for Obergefell v. Hodges approach, it is important that we raise a Jewish moral voice in our congregations in support of marriage equality.
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