9 May 2012. Sitting in a courtroom of the Israeli Supreme Court. Although we enjoyed reading about some of the architectural thoughtfulness of the building as we worked our way to Ulam Dalet, once we sat down in the courtroom, we knew precisely why we had come. The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) was there to discuss, again, why Rabbi Miri Gold of Birkat Shalom in the Gezer Region, should be paid by the State of Israel. After all, she is a rabbi and rabbis are paid by Israel to serve as Jewish religious leaders. But…she is a she AND more importantly she is a REFORM rabbi.

Those things might not matter based on yesterday's judgment. What will matter is that she is a rabbi.

The IRAC brought Miri's case to the Supreme Court three years ago. After numerous hearings, the judges yesterday ordered the Israeli Government to pay not only Miri but 14 other non-orthodox rabbis. Why 15? Who knows? Maybe because the gematria (numeric value based on the Hebrew letters) correspond to the name of God (yah, yud + hey = 15). And they ordered that the non-orthodox rabbis should get paid the same amount as the orthodox rabbis. Evidently the government was looking for a discount for the less than fully Jewish rabbis. The judges said: 90% is not 100%. 100% is 100%. Classic line.

So while North Carolina was deciding that marriage is only marriage if a man and woman are marrying each other, Israel was deciding to open the door to pluralism. Well, I guess there is balance in the universe. Too bad. Hopefully progress will be forward movement for everyone everywhere some day. And lest we get our hopes up…the Government has 10 days to work out a payment solution, if not a court  injunction will be ordered…and of course, that could take time.

But, step by step, friends. NC's poor decision was just that: (morally) poor. And to people who voted against Amendment One, we will keep working for equality. And to people who stayed away from the polls, thinking the issue does not matter or one vote doesn't count: think again. And to all who have been supporting the IRAC and Rabbi Miri Gold – YOU HAVE HELPED. And if you have not helped before, it is not too late to make a difference in Miri's case or in the host of other issues on which the IRAC works.

Chalk one up for pluralism in Israel. I'm sure most of the Haredim will be less than pleased but I think this is great news. And how awesome was it to be sitting with my rabbinic colleagues, one of my teachers, my wife and children, and the IRAC lawyers in the Supreme Court when the announcement was made. Mah norah hamakom hazeh!? How awesome is this place! ? (Genesis 28:17, said by Jacob after he woke up from his dream of angels.)