Minn. Jewish leaders oppose marriage amendment

Rabbis representing Jewish congregations from Duluth to Rochester say they're taking a stand against the ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in the state.

Thirty-five rabbis from the Minnesota Rabbinical Association have signed onto a statement opposing the proposed constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot this fall. The group represents conservative, reform and reconstructionist clergy from 15 congregations around the state.

Lynn Liberman, a rabbi at the Beth Jacob congregation in Mendota Heights, co-chairs the group and said the ballot initiative reminds the rabbis of historical discrimination against the Jewish people.

"All the rights that are afforded to all families should not be denied to some," she said. "That's been a principal of Jews and Judaism for hundreds of years, where we felt the challenges of discrimination and do not want to see that perpetuated in our state."

It wasn't easy getting all parties of differing opinions to come together on a single issue, Liberman said.

"But we all really understood the significance of Kavod HaBriyot, of honoring the individual, and of really seeing the rights of all people preserved," she said.

The statement, though, didn't include support from any orthodox clergy.