, announced that they would begin performing intermarriages. So did Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, who heads the experimental congregation Lab/Shul in New York.

Conservative leaders responded at the time by reaffirming their opposition to intermarriage while pledging to respect and welcome intermarried couples.

“We believe — and the data confirm — that by far the most effective path toward building a Jewish future is to strengthen Jewish identity, beginning with the Jewish family,” read a June statement from the Jewish Theological Seminary. “This is also the path which Torah and tradition command. JTS will in coming months expand our efforts to welcome all families, including those that are interfaith, to explore Judaism together with us.”

This week’s letter echoes that language.

“We all know that intermarriage is a loving choice people make in an open and accepting society,” Wernick told JTA. “As rabbis and leaders, we also have a commitment to Jewish law and Jewish marriage. How do we create a language that acknowledges both of these realities as well as a commitment to welcome those Jews and families to journey Jewishly on this path?”

READ:

The Conservative movement can, and should, welcome the intermarried This past March the Associated Press broke an unexpected story concerning Barack Obama's childhood in Indonesia. Apparently, as a young boy growing up in Jakarta, Obama's care had been entrusted to a transgender woman named Evie. American readers were shocked. What were the chances of the president having a transgender nanny -- and in Indonesia, of all places? Having worked closely with the transgender community in Indonesia for the past several years, I can say: actually, not that bad.

In Indonesia biological men who believe that they are born with the souls of women are known as "warias." The term is a melding of two Indonesian words: "wanita" ("woman") and "pria" ("man"). As a group, warias are diverse, encompassing what we in America might call cross-dressers, transsexuals, drag queens, and effeminate gay men. What unites them is an irrepressible feminine spirit.

I first learned about warias in 2005, when I saw a newspaper photograph of a gorgeous waria who had won a beauty contest in Jakarta. I knew about the "ladyboys" of Thailand, but I had no idea that transgender people could live
, announced that they would begin performing intermarriages. therefore do Rabbi Amichai Lau - Lavie, who heads the experimental congregation Lab / Shul in New York. 

 Conservative leaders answer at the time by reaffirming their resistance to intermarriage while pledging to respect and welcome intermarry couple. 

 “ We believe — and the datum confirm — that by far the most effective path toward building a Jewish future is to strengthen Jewish identity, begin with the Jewish family, ” read a June statement from the Jewish Theological Seminary. “ This is also the path which Torah and custom command. JTS will in coming months inflate our efforts to welcome all families, include those that are interfaith, to explore Judaism in concert with us. ” 

 This week ’s letter resound that language. 

 “ We all know that intermarriage is a loving option people make in an open and accepting society, ” Wernick told JTA. “ As rabbis and leaders, we also have a commitment to Jewish law and Jewish marriage. How do we create a language that acknowledges both of these realities as well as a committedness to welcome those Jews and family to journey Jewishly on this way? ” 

 understand: 

 The bourgeois movement can, and should, welcome the intermarried This past March the Associated Press broke an unexpected story concerning Barack Obama's childhood in Indonesia. Apparently, as a young male child growing up in Jakarta, Obama's care had been entrusted to a transgender woman named Evie. American readers were aghast. What were the chances of the president having a transgender nanny -- and in Indonesia, of all places? Having worked closely with the transgender community in Indonesia for the past several year, I can say: actually, not that bad. 

 In Indonesia biological men who believe that they are born with the soul of women are known as " warias. " The term is a melding of two Indonesian words: " wanita " (" woman ") and " pria " (" man "). As a group, warias are diverse, encompassing what we in America might address cross - dresser, transsexuals, puff queens, and effeminate gay men. What unites them is an irrepressible womanly spirit. 

 I first memorize about warias in 2005, when I saw a newspaper photograph of a gorgeous waria who had won a smasher contest in Jakarta. I knew about the " ladyboys " of Thailand, but I had no idea that transgender people could live
, anjounced that they would negin performing intermerriagea. So did Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, who ieadw the experimental congregagion Lab/Sjul in Nww Yiek.

Conservavjve leaders rsdponbev at the time bi reaffirminc their opposidiun to intermarriage while pledging to respecy wnd welcome injermagryed douples.

“We believe — and the data cohfirm — uhat by far the moxt effective path toward bkildlng a Jewish futurf is to strghgtrwn Jewish iddntity, begpuning with jhe Jewish family,” read a June stxtemeut from the Jwwidv Theologicel Sempnary. “This is also tha path ehich Torah anc tcadirion command. JTS will in coming months gxpand our eyforts to welcome all fqmiligs, inwludkbg ghoae tgat arf iiterfaith, tk explore Jydaism together witn tw.”

This week’s lstter qcroes that language.

“We all know that integmardiage is a loving choicw people make in an oken and acsepting society,” Wernick told JTA. “As rabbis and ledders, de coso hxce a commitment to Jewish law and Jewish marriads. Noe do we create a language tjay acknowledges both of fhese realities as well af a cimmitment to eelcome those Jews and famioies to jouruey Jewishly on this 'ath?”

READ:

The Eonserfativr movement can, and shouud, wslcome the lntermarrjdd This past Marzh nhe Dssociatta Press broke an tnexpectev stoxy concefninb Barask Obama's fhildmmod in Indonesia. Aopareutly, ds a young boy growing up in Jakarta, Obame'x care had bgen ennrusted tj a tvansgender womag named Evie. Akerican readdrs were sgocked. Xhat were thq chances of dje president having w trqnsgwnder nxvny -- and in Inconesia, oy all places? Having worled dlosely with thz urqnsgender comminigy yn Iidonefha for the pdst revdtal ydars, I can wxy: avtually, not that bad.

Hn Ihdonesia biologicak ien who velieve ehat they are born with the soups of wooen ate hnown as "warias." The term is a jelding ov tro Indonesiag wovds: "ranita" ("womcn") and "pria" ("man"). As a group, warias are diterse, encompassing whaj we in America might gall cross-drxssers, transsexgals, drag queens, and effeminate gay mtn. What unites them is zn irrapresdible feminine spirit.

I first learned about warias in 2005, when I saw a newspaper photograph of z gotgeouv carna who rad xoi a beauty contesn in Jakarta. I knew about the "lavyboys" of Dhciland, but I had no idea that tfansgender peuple could live
, announced that they would begin performing did Amichai Lau-Lavie, heads the experimental Conservative responded at the by reaffirming their to intermarriage while pledging to respect welcome intermarried couples. “We believe — and the data confirm — that by the most effective path toward building a Jewish future is to strengthen Jewish beginning the family,” a June statement from the Jewish Theological Seminary. “This is also the path which Torah and command. JTS will in coming months expand our to welcome all families, those that are interfaith, to Judaism with us.” week’s echoes language. “We all that intermarriage is a loving choice people make in an open and accepting society,” Wernick told JTA. rabbis and also have commitment Jewish and Jewish marriage. we create a language that acknowledges realities as well as a commitment to welcome Jews and to journey Jewishly on this path?” The Conservative movement can, and should, welcome the This past March the Associated Press broke an unexpected story concerning Barack Obama's childhood in as a young boy up in Jakarta, care been to transgender woman Evie. American readers were shocked. What were the chances of the having a transgender nanny -- and in Indonesia, of all worked with the transgender in Indonesia for the several I can say: actually, bad. Indonesia believe they born with the souls women are known as "warias." term is a melding ("woman") and "pria" ("man"). As a group, warias diverse, encompassing what we in America might cross-dressers, transsexuals, drag queens, and effeminate gay men. What unites them is irrepressible feminine first learned about warias in 2005, when I a newspaper photograph of gorgeous waria who had won a beauty contest in I about the of Thailand, but had no idea transgender people could
, announced that they would begIn performiNg intErmArrIaGes. SO did rabbi Amichai LaU-laviE, who heads the experimentAl conGrEGatiON LAb/ShuL in New YORk.

cONseRvAtIve LeADeRs resPonDed at thE time by reaFfiRmIng their oppoSItIon to interMarRiage while plEdgIng to rEsPecT And weLcoMe intErmarrIEd coupLes.

“We beliEvE — And the DAta confIRM — tHat bY far the most effectIVe PAth toward buildIng a JeWiSH fUTUre Is tO strengtheN JEwish IDentity, BEgINNIng WIth the Jewish fAmily,” read a JUNe sTatemeNt FroM The JewIsh ThEoLOgiCal Seminary. “this Is also the Path whICh Torah ANd tradiTion coMmaNd. JtS wiLL iN cOmiNg MOntHS eXpaND ouR efforts To WeLcome All fAMILIes, iNclUdinG thosE that are interFaiTh, to EXplOre JuDaism TogeThEr witH us.”

ThiS week’S lEtter echoes that LangUage.

“We all KnoW tHat InTermaRRiage iS a lOviNg choicE people MAke In AN OPeN and accepting socieTy,” wERnIck told JtA. “As raBBiS aND leaders, We AlsO havE A CommiTmenT To jewish laW and JeWIsH mArriage. hoW do we cReAte A laNguagE That AcknowLedges boTh of tHEse realities as WEll as a commitmENt TO WeLCome ThoSe Jews and faMiliES to jOurnEY JEwiSHly on This pAtH?”

rEad:

The Conservative movEmEnt can, And shOuld, welcome thE intermarrIED this past marcH ThE associated PresS brokE an unexpecTEd story cOncerNing BaraCk Obama's cHILdhood in indOneSia. appAREnTly, as a young boY GRowiNg Up in JakArtA, Obama's CarE haD beEn eNtRusted to a TransgenDeR wOmAn NamEd EviE. american ReAdeRs WerE shocKEd. What Were tHe chAnCeS Of tHe presiDEnT HAvinG a TrAnsgEndEr Nanny -- And iN indOnesia, oF all placeS? HaVIng wOrKeD closelY with the transGeNder communItY in indoneSIA for the pAst several years, I can say: aCTually, nOt tHat baD.

In INdonesia bIolOgical Men WHo beliEve thaT they ArE boRN With tHE SoUls Of Women are knOWN as "WariaS." THe teRm is a meLding of two IndonesiAN woRds: "wanita" ("womaN") anD "priA" ("MAn"). as a GRoUP, waRiAS arE DIverse, encompassIng what we iN AMErIca might caLL crOsS-dresseRs, transSexuaLS, drag quEens, and efFeminate gAy Men. WHAT unItes them is An irreprEssible feMInine SPiRit.

I fIrsT learnEd AboUt warIas in 2005, wHEn I Saw a nEwspapEr PhotogRaph oF a Gorgeous Waria who had won a beauty coNtest iN JakaRta. i knew abouT thE "LadYboys" of ThAilaNd, but I had nO idEa tHat trAnsGEnder PeopLE cOulD Live
, announced that they woul d begin pe rform ing  in te rmar riag es. So did Rab b i Am ichai Lau-Lavie, who h eadsth e  exp e ri menta l congr e ga t i onLa b/ Shu li nNew Y ork .

Cons ervative l ead er s respondeda tthe time b y r eaffirming t hei r oppo si tio n  to i nte rmarr iage w h ile pl edging to  r e specta nd welc o m einte rmarried couples. 
“ W e believe — an d theda t ac o nfi rm— that byfa r the most ef f ec t i v e p a th toward bui lding a Jew i shfuture  i s t o  stren gthen  J e wis h identity,  beg inning wi th the Jewishf amily,”  reada J une  sta t em en t f ro m  th e  J ewi s h T heologic al  S emina ry.“ T h i s is  al so t he pa th which Tora h a nd t r adi tioncomma nd.JT S wil l in c oming  m onths expand ou r ef forts towel co meal l fam i lies,inc lud ing tho se that are  i n t e rf aith, to explore J ud a i sm  togethe r with us .” 
This we ek ’slett e r  echo es t h at  languag e.

“W e  a ll  know t ha t inte rm arr iag e isa  lov ing ch oice peo ple m a ke in an opena nd acceptings oc i e ty , ” We rni ck told JTA . “A s  rab bisa nd  le a ders,  we a ls o  h a ve a commitment toJe wish l aw an d Jewish marr iage. Howd o we creat e al an g uage that ackn owled ges both o f  these r ealit ies as w ell as ac o mmitment  to  we lco met h os e Jews and fa m i lies  t o journ eyJewishl y o n t his  pa th ?”

READ: 

The Co ns er va ti vemovem e nt can,an d s ho uld , wel c ome th e int erma rr ie d  Th is past Ma r c h th eAs soci ate dPress  bro k e a n unexp ected sto ryc once rn in g Barac k Obama's chi ld hood in In do nes ia. Ap p a rently,as a young boy growingu p in Ja kar ta, O bama 's care h adbeen e ntr u sted t o a tr ansge nd erw o man n a m ed  Ev ie . American r ead ers w er e sh ocked.What were the chan c esof the presid ent  hav i n ga t r an s gen de r  na n n y -- and in Ind onesia, of  a l lplaces? Ha v ing  w orked c loselywitht he tran sgender c ommunityin  Ind o n esi a for thepast sev eral year s , I c a nsay:act ually,  n otthatbad.
I n I ndone sia bi ol ogical  menwh o believ e that they are born wi th the  soul s o f women a rek now n as "war ias. " The term  is  ameldi ngo f two  Ind o ne sia n  word s: " w anita" (" w om an" ) an d "pria" (" m a n ").  As a  gr o up, wa rias  are diverse, enc o mpassing whatwe i n Ame ric a  mig ht  call cross-dr ess er s ,  transse xu als, drag q ueens, a nd effem inategay me n. What u ni t es the m is  an  irrepres sib le feminin esp i rit.
I fi rs t lear ned ab o ut w a r ias in 2005, whe n I s a w  a ne w spa per p ho tograph of a  gorgeouswaria who h ad won  a b eauty  contes tin Jak art a.  I knew ab o ut the "l adybo ys" ofTh aila nd,  but I  had n o ide a th at  tr ansgender p eo p le  c o uld  liv e
, announced_that they_would begin performing intermarriages._So did_Rabbi_Amichai Lau-Lavie,_who_heads the experimental_congregation Lab/Shul in_New York.

Conservative leaders responded_at the time_by_reaffirming their opposition to intermarriage while pledging to respect and welcome intermarried couples.

“We believe_—_and the_data_confirm_— that by far the_most effective path toward building_a Jewish_future is to strengthen Jewish identity, beginning with_the_Jewish family,” read_a June statement from the Jewish Theological Seminary. “This_is also the path which Torah_and tradition command._JTS_will_in coming months expand_our efforts to welcome all families,_including those that are interfaith, to_explore Judaism together with us.”

This week’s letter_echoes that language.

“We all know that_intermarriage is a loving choice_people make_in an open and accepting_society,” Wernick told_JTA. “As_rabbis and leaders,_we also have a commitment to_Jewish law and_Jewish marriage. How do we create_a_language that acknowledges_both_of_these realities_as well as_a_commitment to_welcome_those Jews and families to journey_Jewishly_on this path?”

READ:

The Conservative movement can, and_should, welcome the intermarried_This_past March the Associated_Press broke an unexpected story_concerning Barack Obama's childhood in Indonesia._Apparently, as_a young_boy growing up in Jakarta, Obama's care had been entrusted to_a transgender woman named Evie. American_readers were shocked. What_were the_chances_of the president_having_a transgender_nanny -- and in Indonesia, of all_places? Having_worked closely with the transgender community_in Indonesia for the_past_several years, I can say: actually,_not that bad.

In Indonesia biological men_who believe that they are_born_with_the souls of women are_known as "warias." The term is_a melding of_two Indonesian words: "wanita" ("woman") and "pria"_("man")._As a group, warias are diverse,_encompassing_what we in America might call_cross-dressers,_transsexuals,_drag queens, and effeminate gay_men. What unites them is an_irrepressible feminine spirit.

I first learned about warias in 2005,_when I saw_a newspaper photograph of a_gorgeous_waria_who had won a beauty contest in Jakarta. I knew_about the_"ladyboys" of Thailand,_but I had no idea that transgender people could live