For far too long, LGBTQ Jews had to choose between multiple identities. Because Jewish spaces often did not embrace queer Jews, these individuals had to choose between their Jewish identity and their queer identity. For so many of us, this is not a choice we’ve ever had to even think of making. This is a privilege I have; I’ve never had to pick one core identity over another, I’ve never been ostracized from the Jewish community I long to be a part of because of who I love.
June is Pride Month, and while you may see rainbow flags flying from homes or notice corporations changing their logo to a rainbow, I want to share why I think it’s especially important for a synagogue - for our synagogue - to acknowledge and embrace Pride.
As a shul, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to heal wounds of the past, particularly wounds inflicted on Jews. So many Jews were told there was no place for them in the Jewish community. So many Jews were told to hide their truth, to try and change their identity. Today, this Pride Month, it’s crucial to show that these multiple identities are not just compatible, but celebrated by our community.
If we care about a Judaism that is accessible and relevant, then Pride is for us. If we care about a synagogue that is welcoming, Pride has to be for us. We, as a community, are better, fuller, more true to ourselves when we open our arms wide.
Creating spaces that celebrate queer folks enables all of us, regardless of our identities, to be our truest, fullest selves. So much of Pride is about breaking down boxes and labels and not needing to put people into the binaried, narrow places society may expect. We believe Judaism has the power to transform us, but for that to be true we can’t check any part of ourselves at the door. We cannot be transformed if we are not fully ourselves. We must create sacred spaces where all of us are welcome in the truest form of who we are.
I’ve been thinking lately that synagogues are some of the only gathering places left where you show up knowing you’ll interact with a multifaceted aspect of community. We vary in a myriad of ways. Shuls are rare - beautiful - spaces that celebrate the full spectrum of what our community is, which must by definition include queer folks. Today, and everyday, not just during Pride Month, we are open, we embrace, we celebrate.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Sarit
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