Cantor Mark Goldman of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El of Plantation made history when he became the first gay Jewish clergy (cantor or rabbi) to be married in South Florida since same-sex marriage became legal in the United States on June 26, 2015.
“I don’t know of any other gay clergy in South Florida who are married,” said Goldman after he tied the knot with his partner of 19 years, interior decorator Aaron Taber, in their home last April.
Although Goldman did not have the official marriage ceremony at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El, many congregants celebrated his wedding at a special Oneg Shabbat celebration that took place at the temple on May 20.
Many congregants of the temple also attended Goldman’s wedding at his home.
“I’m proud to be part of a community and movement that strive for equality and inclusion, where bringing people together for shared values and interests is our priority.”
Rabbi Howard Needleman of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El was one of two rabbis to perform the wedding ceremony, which had both traditional rituals and novel surprises.
“Aaron and I added our own vows and prayers and after the breaking of the glasses, the evening really got going with a surprise performance by a famed Dame Edna impersonator,” said Goldman.
Goldman was also recently honored for his 21 years of being cantor of the 700-member Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El at a gala fundraiser that took place on Feb. 20.
“Mark (Goldman) has been the heart and soul of our congregation who has been passionate about the temple since he was hired in 1995,” said Jason Chalik, president of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El.
Among his many achievements, Goldman was elected president of the 900-member American Conference of Cantors in 2013.
“I met Aaron during my first year at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El. He started coming to services and I started to slowly introduce him as my boy friend at the time. He is regarded as my spouse in every way. He is given honors in front of the congregation,” said Goldman.
Goldman also participated with others in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community at the historic first “See Israel With Pride Mission To Israel” joining others in South Florida, representing the delegation from Jewish Federation of Broward County, that began on May 25 and ends on June 2.
The mission, bringing together Jews from the LGBTQ community from across the United States and Canada to Israel, took place during Tel Aviv Pride Week.
Highlights of the unique mission included meetings with LGBTQ business leaders and politicians and sessions on LGBTQ rights in Israel.
Also, in honor of Gay Pride Month in June, the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble of musicians performs in concert a medley of songs from many countries in a program titled “Leaving on a Jet Plane” June 3 at 8 p.m. at Broward Center.
One of the highlights of the concert will be the performance of “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel.
“I have always found ‘Hatikvah’ to be a very moving song and the arrangement we will be performing is quite lovely,” said musician William Wasserman, who plays trumpet for SFPWE, is Jewish and not a member of the LGBTQ community.
The South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble is unique in featuring both LGBTQ musicians as well as heterosexual musicians teaming together in concert. Many of the Jewish musicians playing for South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble are from both the LGBTQ and general communities.
“Although I am not a member of the LGBTQ community, as a musician I want to support Gay Pride Month in solidarity with the musicians with the South Florida Pride Ensemble,” said trumpet player Sofia Bitela, who is a member of Temple Emanu-EL in Miami Beach, and has performed with SFPWE in fundraisers for the temple.
Mindy Zimmerman plays bass clarinet with the SFPWE, is openly gay in a committed relationship for 31 years, and is a Conservative Jew who regularly attends services at Temple Beth Torah Sha’aray Tzedek in Tamarac.
“I am proud to be one of the people who blow shofar for the High Holy Day services,” said Zimmerman.
For tickets to the concert at Broward Center, 201 SW 5th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, call 954-462-0222 or go to www.browardcenter.org
