Jews split on gay marriage ruling
U.S. Jewish opponents and supporters of gay marriage each declared a measure of victory after the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the legislature to consider the issue.
Wednesday’s 4-3 ruling returned the matter to the legislature to decide within six months how gay partnerships should be recognized.
“While today’s ruling is an important victory for gay and lesbian Americans, we are also hopeful that the legislature will ensure all couples the right to civil marriage, rather than simply the rights and privileges thereof,” said a statement from Rabbi Randi Musnitsky, regional director for Reform’s New Jersey/West Hudson Valley Council.
The Agudath Israel of America, a fervently Orthodox group, welcomed what it called the court’s “refusal” to recognize gay marriages, but also “expressed deep disappointment in the court’s interpretation of the state constitution as requiring some formal recognition of such relationships.”