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Orthodox Communities Set Against N.Y., N.J. Gay Marriage

And in New York, the vote’s today

by
Marc Tracy
December 02, 2009

In New York, the State Senate is set to vote imminently on legalizing gay marriage. In New Jersey, gay-rights activists are seeking to bring a marriage bill to a vote before January 19th, when Republican Chris Christie (an opponent) assumes the governorship from Democratic Gov. John Corzine (a supporter). In both cases, Orthodox rabbis and their communities are prominently arrayed in opposition. As we write, Orthodox Jews are protesting the bill outside the Senate building in Albany. A rabbi among them told the New York Times, “the world belongs to the Almighty, and they have to reckon with his rules and his law.” Meanwhile, the Huffington Post yesterday reported on the large role that the Orthodox community of Lakewood, N.J. has assumed in that state’s discussion. “I really don’t believe in getting involved in government,” an activist among them said. “But when an issue is so dangerous, you have to stop it.”

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.