A RABBI is hoping that the first gay Jewish wedding will take place in Pinner soon.
Aaron Goldstein, of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, said that it might take a while but he hopes to perform the ceremony now that it is legal for gay couples to marry.
He said: “The most important thing for us is that although we don’t have people queuing up to get married we legally would be allowed to marry two Jews of the same sex. The likelihood of two Jewish men or lesbians coming together is relatively slim but it is the principal and it is vitally important for us to support equal rights. As and when someone comes and want to, they can be married at our synagogue."
One couple have expressed interest, but Rabbi Goldstein said it involves a lot of thought so there aren’t any couples who are ready to take their vows at the synagogue at the moment.
He said: “I expect that it will take some time until it becomes the norm.”
They have a liturgy already prepared for it after performing same sex blessings for couples who are undertaking civil partnerships.
The only difference is that same sex couples would have to apply for a licence from the local authority, in the same way as anyone getting married.
He said: “We do the legal and religious ceremony in one go, we act as the registrars. I would love to perform a ceremony soon. Young people who are exploring their sexuality can now come out with the knowledge that they are accepted in our community in the same way as a heterosexual couple. People had to live hidden lives and now people can live very openly and are able to celebrate the relationship they have. We hope our synagogue is a second home to people and that they grow and feel comfortable here and that they are able to ask God for his blessing over their marriage and that their relationship is a vital part of human existence.”
Same sex marriages became legal at midnight last Friday and the first couple to marry in Brent were Colin Smith and Eric Craig at the Civic Centre.
The first same sex couple to marry in Harrow will do so this Friday.
