At the time of the upcoming primary election in May 2012, citizens of North Carolina will also have the opportunity to vote on a proposal to amend the State Constitution to provide that “marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” (North Carolina Session Law 2011-409 Senate Bill 514).
The Board of Kol Haskalah, after considering the matter at the request of a member of the congregation, has adopted a resolution opposing this amendment. The Board is authorized, under the Congregation’s by-laws, to adopt such statements “on issues of social concern consistent with the Congregation’s commitment to Tikkun Olam,” The proposed constitutional amendment contradicts not only the published policies of the Society of Humanistic Judaism, which expressly “support the legal recognition of marriage and divorce between adults of the same sex” and “the value of marriage between any two committed adults,” but also Humanistic Judaism’s abiding commitment to Tikkun Olam and recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Moreover, since the State Assembly has decided to press this issue to a state-wide vote, members of our community will be called upon to take action regarding this issue.
Therefore, the Board has determined that it is necessary at this time to affirm our commitment, as Humanistic Jews, to equal rights, the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and the right and responsibility of adults to choose their partners in marriage and domestic unions, by opposing the proposed amendment to the State Constitution. All of the Jewish congregations in the Triangle, as well as many secular organizations and town councils, have already adopted policy statements opposing the proposed amendment, and a group of organizations affiliated with the Inter Faith Council is also working on a statement in opposition.
Below is the Resolution that the Board has adopted. Its language is taken largely from the resolution regarding marriage rights and same-sex couples that the Society for Humanistic Judaism adopted in April 2004. If you have any questions please contact the Board through either Jenn Sessler (jrosesg@gmail.com), Faye Kalman (Faye@metarhythm.com
Resolution:
Board of Directors of Kol Haskalah, Triangle Congregation
For Humanistic Judaism
Resolution Opposing the Constitutional Amendment
Proposed by North Carolina Session Law 2011-409 Senate Bill 514
Whereas the principles and values of Humanistic Judaism affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
Whereas the principles and values of Humanistic Judaism support the right and responsibility of adults to choose their partners in marriage and domestic legal union,
Whereas the principles and values of Humanistic Judaism are supportive of equal rights and responsibilities for all in the matters of marriage and domestic legal union,
Whereas the Society for Humanistic Judaism has formally adopted a policy supporting the legal recognition of marriage between adults of the same sex and affirming the value of marriage between any two committed adults with the sense of obligations, responsibilities, and consequences thereof,
Whereas the provisions of North Carolina Session Law 2011-409 Senate Bill 514 mandate a state-wide vote to amend the North Carolina State Constitution to prohibit the legal recognition of marriage and domestic unions between members of the same sex,
Whereas the constitutional amendment proposed in North Carolina Session Law 2011-409 Senate Bill 514, is contrary to the principles and values of Humanistic Judaism, and an affront to the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of Kol Haskalah, the Triangle Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, opposes the proposed constitutional amendment and supports the efforts of gay and lesbian couples to share fully and equally in the rights of marriage and domestic legal union.
Please keep on the lookout for more information from Kol Haskalah regarding programming in April to discuss the proposed legislation and the opportunity to cast your vote, which will be held during the May 8, 2012 primary election.