Asia-Pacific rabbis ok gay commitment ceremonies

A group of liberal rabbis in the Asia-Pacific region voted to allow its members to officiate at same-sex ceremonies. The Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, New Zealand and Asia voted last week in Adelaide to adopt a resolution passed by the American Reform movement in 2000. The motion passed by the 17-member rabbinical council permits – but does not require – progressive rabbis to perform same-sex ceremonies. The decision was hailed by Dayenu, a Jewish gay and lesbian group. “We pray that those opposed to it will eventually see it as a complementary institution to that of marriage,” a spokesperson for the group told the Australian Jewish News.