Reading2-Sept20.pdf - Reading 2 Note This is a teshuvah, in...

Reading 2
Note
This is a teshuvah , in English “ responsum ” – an answer by a rabbi to a question
about how to apply Jewish law and tradition in a new or unfamiliar situation.
As you already know, there are a variety of streams or movements in Judaism
today (sometimes called “ denominations ” ). Rabbi Sharzer is part of the
Conservative Movement, and his teshuvah has been accepted by the Conservative
“ Committee on Jewish Law and Standards ” as authoritative, though not binding.
The Conservative Movement takes halakhah, traditional Jewish law and guidance
for living, very seriously, and at the same time tries to keep pace with our changing
world. It is considered more conservative than Reform Judaism and more liberal
than Orthodox Judaism. Congregation Etz Chayim, one of the largest synagogues
in Winnipeg, belongs to the Conservative movement; their website is here: About
Congregation Etz Chayim .
There are quite a number of Jewish technical terms in this responsum. Please ask
about them, or anything that puzzles you, in the “ Discussion of Course Readings
and Topics ” forum, or during an online class.

1
TRANSGENDER JEWS AND HALAKHAH 1
Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer MD
This teshuvah was adopted by the CJLS on June 7, 2017, by a vote of 11 in favor, 8 abstaining.
Members voting in favor: Rabbis Aaron Alexander, Pamela Barmash, Elliot Dorff, Susan
Grossman, Reuven Hammer, Jan Kaufman, Gail Labovitz, Amy Levin, Daniel Nevins, Avram
Reisner, and Iscah Waldman. Members abstaining: Rabbis Noah Bickart, Baruch Frydman-
Kohl, Joshua Heller, David Hoffman, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Jonathan Lubliner, Micah Peltz, and
Paul Plotkin.
תולאש
1. What are the appropriate rituals for conversion to Judaism of transgender individuals?
2. What are the appropriate rituals for solemnizing a marriage in which one or both parties
are transgender?
3. How is the marriage of a transgender person (which was entered into before transition) to
be dissolved (after transition).
4. Are there any requirements for continuing a marriage entered into before transition after
one of the partners transitions?
5. Are hormonal therapy and gender confirming surgery permissible for people with gender
dysphoria?
6. Are trans men permitted to become pregnant?
7. How must healthcare professionals interact with transgender people?
8. Who should prepare the body of a transgender person for burial?
9. Are preoperative 2 trans men obligated for tohorat ha-mishpahah
10. Are preoperative trans women obligated for brit milah
11. At what point in the process of transition is the person recognized as the new gender?
12. Is a ritual necessary to effect the transition of a trans person?
?
?
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly provides guidance in matters of halkhhah
for the Conservative movement. The individual rabbi, however, is the authority for the interpretation and application
of all matters of halakhah.