New York Synagogue Gets Award for Gay Marriage Activism

from:www.jta.org
NEW YORK (JTA) -- A New York City synagogue has received an award for its leadership on the issue of gay marriage.

Congregation B'nai Jeshurun was given the Star Award from Empire State Pride Agenda in recognition of the synagogue's leadership on working to obtain passage of marriage equality legislation in New York State. It is the first time the award was bestowed on a group rather than an individual.

The Manhattan congregation formed a marriage equality commitee in the spring of 2006 to advocate for enactment of New York state legislation that affirms the rights of same-sex couples to have the same access to civil marriage and lawful rights as other couples. The committee hosted an action event in Manhattan later that spring with 500 activists, clergy and elected officials and has organized groups to attend the annual Equality & Justice Day in Albany to advocate for marriage equality -- bringing 40 people in 2008. The synagogue also organizes in-district meetings with legislators and sponsors discussion programs for the congregation.