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September
3,
2003
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman
U.S. Senate Subcmte. on the Constitution
Washington, DC 20510
By Facsimile: 228-2881
Dear Senator Cornyn,
We write to you on
behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the
nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – representing
nearly 1,000 congregations, to state our support for the continued legal
definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman and the
necessity to protect this venerable institution by our nation’s laws.
The Jewish tradition has
long recognized the centrality of the institution of marriage, so much so
that the term in Judaism for marriage is kiddushin
– or, ‘holiness’ – our most central aspiration.
Moreover, Judaism recognizes that the institution of marriage is
central to the formation of a healthy society and the raising of children.
Fathers and mothers are a child’s first teachers and our
tradition understands that a child is best served when receiving the
guidance of both male and female role models.
We regret that these
foundational insights, recognized over the course of millennia by
virtually all faiths and societies have been called into question in our
time. While it is clear that
persons who choose alternative sexual lifestyles should not be subjected
to invidious forms of discrimination, it is equally clear that the
principle of civil tolerance should not be served by overturning commonly
and broadly held values such as the definition of marriage.
The
U.O.J.C.A. urges you and your Senate colleagues to consider and venerate
the values held by most Americans on this matter and ensure that the
fundamental institution of marriage is not undermined by judicial fiats or
any other mechanisms. We
believe that defense of this institution is in the best interests of our
children and our posterity.
Sincerely,
Harvey
Blitz Rabbi Tzvi H. Weinreb
Nathan J. Diament
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