While much has been written about the intersection of religious belief and same-sex marriage, next week's oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in two same-sex marriage cases pose another religious issue that has hardly been noticed. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 26 in Hollingsworth v. Perry, and on March 27 in United States v. Windsor. These dates are the first two days of Passover-- holidays in the Jewish calendar on which traditional Jews abstain from work. One wonders if anyone involved sought, or thought about, religious accommodation. Three Supreme Court Justices are Jewish (Justices Breyer, Ginsburg and Kagan). One of the eight attorneys presenting oral arguments is Jewish (Roberta Kaplan). The individual who created the legal issue in one of the cases was Jewish-- Edie Windsor's deceased partner, Thea Spyer. Amicus briefs in the cases have been filed by the American Jewish Committee, and by a broad coalition of religious groups that include national organizations representing the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist branches of Judaism.
Among the numerous rallies, demonstrations and events planned in Washington next week to coincide with oral arguments, the United for Marriage Coalition has scheduled "Parting the Waters: A Seder for Love, Liberation & Justice" on Tuesday evening, March 26. So at least someone has noticed the significance of the dates.
