Gay rabbis find support

NEW YORK -- Most Conservative Jews would support gay and lesbian rabbis, according to a survey commissioned by the Jewish Theological Seminary. About two-thirds of the 5,583 rabbis, cantors and seminary students responding to the e-mail- and Web-based survey supported openly gay rabbis and cantors.

Support varied: Eighty-six percent of female respondents approved of gay rabbis and cantors, compared to 60 percent of male respondents. Approval ratings were higher in the United States than in Canada or Israel, and among respondents under 25. About 76 percent of educators and other professionals approved.

The seminary, the academic center of Conservative Judaism, is studying whether to admit openly gay students.

The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, which interprets religious law for the Conservative Jewish movement, voted last month to allow the ordination of gay rabbis and the blessing of same-sex unions, while retaining the ban on male homosexual sex, but final approval is left to local congregations and seminaries.

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