Related Blog Posts on LGBTQ+ Jewish Life, Racial Equity, Diversity, and & Inclusion (REDI) Communities of Belonging

The URJ Equity Indicator: A New Tool to Guide Your Efforts Creating a Communities of Belonging

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Yolanda Savage-Narva
We are so proud to launch the Union for Reform Judaism's (URJ) Equity Indicator; an exciting new tool that will help guide all of us in our efforts to create equitable Communities of Belonging. An equitable Jewish community is a space and place where all people have the opportunity to feel affirmed, safe, celebrated, and experience a sense of belonging.

Standing for Inclusion and Love

Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg
"What if people protest the program and disrupt Shabbat?" I admit, I heard a loud voice in my head repeating this question as our Pride Shabbat festivities approached last June.

Interfaith Inclusion in Our Communities

Rabbi Julie Zupan
Crystal Hill
Reform Judaism stands for a Judaism that is inclusive and encourages the participation of all members of interfaith families in our communities. Here are some steps we can take as community leaders to affirm members of interfaith families, ensure they know they are valued and understood as critical members of our Reform communities, and do our best to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience a sense of belonging.

Bet Mitzvah: A Milestone for All

Rabbi Linda Joseph
Rabbi Evan Schultz
Rabbi Gubitz outlined why many synagogues across the country are adopting a more gender inclusive term to name the Jewish coming of age ceremony traditionally called bat or bar mitzvah. Many communities striving to be places of belonging are wondering which term to use in their congregations.

Organizational Partners in Action: How the Jewish Grandparents Network, URJ, and Keshet Partnered to Support Grandparents of Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender-expansive Youth

Stephanie Fink, MAJCS, RJE
Terry Kaye
Tracey Labgold
Along with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the Jewish Grandparents Network (JGN) and Keshet share a commitment to an inclusive Jewish community that reflects and affirms marginalized identities. We realized we could have the greatest impact towards a more inclusive community if we worked together.