Wrestling with god and men is the product of rabbi greenbergs tenyear struggle to reconcile his two warring identities. Wow, this is an amazing book, full of healing and wisdom. Rabbi steven greenberg is the author of wrestling with god and men. Rabbi steven greenberg profile lgbtq religious archives. He is the author of the book, wrestling with god and men. The national jewish center for learning and leadership. He captured perfectly thoughts ive been trying to form and write down for some years so much so that i wept after finishing the book. During his book tour in israel, which was sponsored by a wider bridge, rabbi steven greenberg talked to haaretz, a highly respected newspaper in israel, about coming out, pain, and parenthood. He is also a senior teaching fellow and director of diversity project at clal. In 1999, rabbi steven greenberg challenged this tradition when he. Or would people regard him merely as a serious jewish thinker who happens to.
Winner of the coveted koret book award for philosophy and thought, steve is the. Rabbi steven greenberg winner of the koret jewish book award for philosophythought, awarded by the koret foundations. He lives with his partner steven goldstein and his daughter amalia in boston. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition, was published in 2004. His tv gadget segments appear on both national tv and on morning, daytime and tv news programs across the country, in the biggest tv mnarkets in the us. In this compelling and groundbreaking work, greenberg challenges long held. This book discusses steven greenbergs tenyear journey as an orthodox jewish gay rabbi, and how he tries to reconcile those different aspects of himself. Books lists rabbi greenbergs books along with summaries of each and includes sample chapters. This book will appeal not only to members of the orthodox faith but to all.
Rabbi steven greenberg, haaretz interview awiderbridge. Steven greenberg born june 19, 1956 is an american rabbi with a smi. This website is both an introduction and tribute to the work of rabbi dr. He came out in 1999, 16 years after his ordination. May 31, 2017 dr mark cherny talking about rabbi steven greenberg, the first openly gay orthodox jewish rabbi, who founded eshel, a support, education and advocacy organisation for lgbt orthodox jews. As we go to press, the fate of the bill remains uncertain. Wrestling with god and men is the product of rabbi steven greenbergs tenyear struggle to reconcile his homosexuality with orthodox judaism. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition which received the koret jewish book award for philosophy and thought in 2005. Steven greenberg, the first openly gay orthodox rabbi, tells libby brooks how he squares his sexuality with his faith.
Rabbi steven greenberg wrote the following open letter to new york state senator steven saland, widely regarded as the decisionmaker regarding the marriage equality bill. Her parents, orthodox rabbi steven greenberg, 57, and actor and opera singer steven goldstein, wed last year in a civil ceremony in new york, while holding the toddler in their arms. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Steven greenberg is a modern orthodox rabbi and gay, and he gets the struggle, the wrestling with god, scripture, and others so well. Greenberg, 54, is a senior teaching fellow at the new yorkbased clal. Steven greenberg musician, american musician best known for writing the 1980 hit song funkytown, performed by lipps inc. Steven greenberg born june 19, 1956 is an american rabbi with a rabbinic ordination from. Winner of the koret jewish book award for philosophy thought, awarded by the koret foundations. Rabbi dweck dared to open his heart and mind steven. About steve greenberg steve greenberg is an awardwinning author, tv personality and expert on innovation and technology. He is described as the first openly gay orthodox jewish rabbi, since he publicly disclosed he was gay in an article in the israeli newspaper maariv in 1999 and participated in a 2001 documentary film about homosexual men and women raised in the. Rabbi steve greenberg is an awardwinning author, noted teacher, and. Wrestling with god and men uw press books home page. Rabbi steven greenberg is the founding director of eshel and works on special projects and development.
In 1999, rabbi steve greenberg became the first out orthodox rabbi. Steven greenberg born june 19, 1956 is an american rabbi with a rabbinic ordination from the orthodox rabbinical seminary of yeshiva university. For a full listing of rabbi greenbergs writing, see his bibliography. The bostonbased rabbi, author and speaker is executive director of eshel, an organization that promotes acceptance of lesbian, gay. That embattled young man is now rabbi steven greenberg, the worlds first openly gay orthodox rabbi. Orthodox rabbi steven greenberg talks to pasadena shul. The first openly gay orthodox rabbi talks about coming out, pain, and parenthood. When rabbi steve greenberg was a young rabbinical student at an orthodox yeshiva near jerusalem in the mid1970s, he was attracted to a fellow male student. Rabbi steve greenberg will explore four rationales for the prohibition of sex between men which appear in the traditional literature, each offering a different perspective and a different frame. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition, which won the koret jewish book. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition, university of wisconsin press and codirector of eshel, an orthodox lgbt community.
Although no one has asked me my opinion on the matter here it is. Rooted within the inspiring personal story of the greenberg family, just parenting also draws on julie greenbergs years of experience as a rabbi, family therapist and maker of social change, offering guidance from the mainstream and from the margins. Wrestling with god and men and millions of other books are available for. The interview was published this weekend in israel. The rabbi isaac elchanan theological seminary of yeshiva university has ordained thousands of rabbis since its founding in 1896. Saland is a descendant of rabbi shmuel salant, whom greenberg notes in his letter.
Rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, a faculty member of the shalom hartman institute of north america and a founder and director of eshel, a national orthodox lgbt support. Rabbi steven greenberg is the first orthodox rabbi to come out as gay. Dr mark cherny talking about rabbi steven greenberg, the first openly gay orthodox jewish rabbi, who founded eshel, a support, education and advocacy organisation for. Yoni bock and ron kaplan exchanged vows before some 200 friends and family members, wearing matching kittels the traditional white robe worn during jewish weddings and marigold kippot. Mar 15, 2012 rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, the national jewish center for learning and leadership and the director of the clal diversity project. Using the original hebrew he used tried and true interpretation techniques used by talmudic rabbis for centuries. The finer points of his hypotheses completely reevaluate the translation of the torahs condemnation of homosexuality. On thursday evening, steve greenberg became the first rabbi ordained by the orthodox movement to officiate a samesex marriage. Rabbi steven greenberg is an awardwinning author, noted teacher, and religious iconoclast.
With his groundbreaking book on homosexuals in orthodox judaism now out in hebrew, rabbi steven greenberg talks to haaretz. Greenberg is executive director of eshel, whose mission is to create community and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender jews and their families in orthodox communities. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition university of wisconsin press, 2004, which won the koret book award for philosophy and thought. Rabbi steve greenberg has rabbinic ordination from yeshiva university. Scholarly articles book chapters presents academic journal articles and book chapters written by rabbi greenberg. If you want a lively seder, start with a lively haggadah. In this compelling and groundbreaking work, greenberg challenges longheld. Employing traditional rabbinic resources, greenberg presents readers with surprising biblical interpretations of the creation story, the love of david and jonathan, the destruction of sodom, and the condemning verses of leviticus. Feb 23, 2004 in 1999, rabbi steven greenberg challenged this tradition when he became the first orthodox rabbi ever to openly declare his homosexuality. Temple kol ami, a reform congregation in thornhill, in april hosted rabbi steven greenberg, often described as the first openly gay orthodox jewish rabbi, as its scholar in residence for a weekend of discussion sessions related to homosexuality and the torah.
He is a senior teaching fellow at clal national jewish center for learning and leadership, a think tank, leadership training institute and resource center in new york city. Steven greenberg talks about gay orthodox jews and tying the knot rabbi steven greenbergs friendly face first greeted us in sandi dubowskis awardwinning documentary trembling before gd. Rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, a faculty. Bimbams digital storytelling sparks connections to judaism for learners of all ages.
Wrestling with god and men is the product of rabbi greenberg s tenyear struggle to reconcile his two warring identities. Aug 29, 2012 in 1999, rabbi steve greenberg became the first out orthodox rabbi. Rabbi steven greenberg of boston is no exception, except for the fact that he is the first openly gay orthodox rabbi in the world. Five years later, rabbi greenberg published wrestling with god and men. Orthodox rabbi steven greenberg began to reveal his struggle as an orthodox jew and a gay man in the pages of.
Wrestling with god and men is the product of rabbi steven greenberg s tenyear struggle to reconcile his homosexuality with orthodox judaism. Rabbi greenbergs rich career encompasses his work as a renowned scholar, a beloved teacher, a developer of several institutions core to the life of the american jewish community, a congregational rabbi, and an. Tradition updated rabbi steven greenberg winner of the koret jewish book. Amalia, two and a half years old, has an abundance of selfconfidence and a winning smile.
A prominent american rabbi and a worldrenowned author, rabbi kushner has written numerous books addressing major life issues. Rabbi steven greenberg is a director and a senior teaching fellow at clalthe national jewish center for learning and leadership. He is also a faculty member of the shalom hartman institute of north america. Jul 09, 2017 rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, a faculty member of the shalom hartman institute of north america and a founder and director of eshel, a national orthodox lgbt support. He is a senior teaching fellow and director of diversity project at clal the national jewish center for learning and leadership, and the author of the book wrestling with god and men. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition university of wisconsin press, 2004, which won the. Wrestling with god and men is the product of rabbi steven greenbergs tenyear struggle to. Homosexuality and the human condition steven greenberg. Rabbi steve greenberg as an orthodox rabbi through this book. Orthodox rabbi steven greenberg talks to pasadena shul about.
Conversation with rabbi steven greenberg jewish ledger. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition was published, meeting with critical acclaim. Rabbi greenbergs rich career encompasses his work as a renowned scholar, a beloved teacher, a developer of several institutions core to the life of the american jewish community, a congregational rabbi, and an author. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition, on a tour which is cosponsored by a wider bridge. Steven katz reflects on rabbi greenbergs conceptions of history and halacha, particularly his idea that the covenant invites jews to. Rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, a faculty member of the shalom hartman institute of north america and a founder and director of eshel, a. Wrestling with god and men book by steven greenberg. May 25, 2011 greenberg, 54, is a senior teaching fellow at the new yorkbased clal. He is the author of the groundbreaking book wrestling with god and men.
Cocktail reception, book signing, music and fun dessert will follow the program, dietary laws observed guest speaker, rabbi harold samuel kushner is a longtime friend of steven greenberg. Rabbi steven greenberg will lecture on friday, april 1 at 8. Rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, the national jewish center for learning and leadership and the director of the clal diversity project. In 2004 greenbergs book, wrestling with god and men. Homosexuality in the jewish tradition, a book that is not only an new look at depictions of samesex relationships in jewish sacred texts, but also examines these relationships in jewish poetry and case law. Steven greenberg rabbi, american rabbi, educator and author see also edit. Here was a gay orthodox jewish clergyman who insisted that it was alright to be a gay orthodox jew, a stance not particularly popular in the orthodox community. Rabbi steven greenberg a professional queer jews blog. An orthodox rabbi walks into a gay wedding klal yisrael. For millennia, two biblical verses have been understood to condemn sex between men as an act so abominable that it is punishable by death. Aug 09, 2017 rabbi steven greenberg is a senior teaching fellow at clal, a faculty member of the shalom hartman institute of north america and a founder and director of eshel, a national orthodox lgbt support.