As the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, Steve Greenberg has had an unusual career dealing with a community that does not traditionally support homosexuality.
Last night, Greenberg delivered a lecture entitled "Why is Homosexuality at the Center of Cultural Conflict?"
Addressing an audience comprising members of both the Hillel and lesbian gay bisexual transgender communities, Greenberg suggested that the fear of deviation from the norm and "things out of place" is at the root of many anti-gay sentiments.
"The sense that the assumptions around the ordered world ... are fraying is emotionally terrifying," he added.
This is especially relevant in Orthodox Judaism, he said, in which gender roles are rigidly defined.
Greenberg argued that it is important to ask for the reasons behind the Torah's prohibition of homosexuality. He was featured in the critically acclaimed film Trembling Before G-d, which documents the conflicts of gay Hasidic and Orthodox Jews.
"There is no way to move forward ... without making some rational sense," he said. It is "simply not acceptable to hold onto an unthinking taboo without thinking about what the Torah is attempting to do."
Because of the strict adherence to heterosexuality espoused by Orthodox Judaism, there were "people in the Hillel community who were uncomfortable" with this event, said College junior Rachel Rosenthal, who was co-chairwoman of the event for Hillel.
Greenberg acknowledged that the Orthodox community is not likely to fully accept homosexuality in the near future, but he expressed hope that its members may come to see gays in a new light.
"Not all the questions need to be answered now in final ways for us to live together and celebrate together," he said.
Greenberg spoke as part of QPenn, two weeks of events presented by the Queer Student Alliance intended to raise awareness of LGBT issues. His appearance represented a combined effort between Hillel and QSA.
College senior and QPenn planning committee member Paul Farber felt that the speech was significant in promoting much-needed conversation.
"In light of recent dialogue between the Hillel and LGBT communities, Greenberg's appearance is another important step toward promoting the connection and making sure the doors are open in both directions," Farber said.
Greenberg also spoke earlier in the day about his experience coming out.
