Reform rabbis back gay marriage

Thirty-two Bay Area Reform rabbis have signed a letter sent to j. supporting San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco city and county in the issuing of marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

“We applaud the courage and compassion of this action. And we affirm our belief that Gay and Lesbian couples should be afforded the right to marry,” reads the letter.

“The [Central Conference of American Rabbis] passed a resolution affirming the right of Reform Rabbis to officiate at Gay/Lesbian ceremonies. In 1977 the CCAR adopted a resolution encouraging legislation prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals as persons. In 1996, the CCAR voted to support the right of Gay and Lesbian couples to share fully and equally in the rights of civil marriage.”

The following rabbis signed the letter: Joshua M. Aaronson, Camille Shira Angel, Melanie Aron, Raphael Asher, Aliza Berk, Michael Berk, Andrea Berlin, Brad Bloom, Helen T. Cohn, Stacy Friedman, Evan Goodman, Roberto D. Graetz, Bruce Greenbaum, Yoel Kahn, Patricia Karlin-Neumann, David Levinsky, Michael Lezak, Jane Litman, Janet Ross Marder, Sheldon Marder, Sydney Mintz, Stephen Pearce, Ferenc Raj, Larry Raphael, Lisa Rosenberg, Judy Shanks, Myra Soifer, Martin Weiner, Eric Weiss, Laura Novak Winer, Rick Winer, Bridget Wynne and Josh D. Zweiback.

Classics hit film fest’s silver screen

It may not be Cannes, but Temple Beth Sholom’s second annual Jewish Film Festival has East Bay cineastes pretty pumped up.

The line-up this year includes an eclectic mix of recent and classic features, all touching on Jewish themes. They range from “Yidl Mitn Fidl,” the 1936 Yiddish musical, to last year’s acclaimed best foreign film Oscar winner “Nowhere in Africa.”

The Jewish Film Festival at Temple Beth Sholom is set for Feb. 28 and 29, March 13 and 14, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. Tickets: $5-$8. Series: $18-$25. Information: (510) 581-4143.