Honoring Transgender and Nonbinary Community Members’ Infinite Value

Ten years ago, the URJ and CCAR passed resolutions affirming the Reform Movement's commitment to the full equality, inclusion and acceptance of people of all gender identities and expressions. The resolution also contemplated developing resources to ensure that communities within the Reform Movement were places of belonging for those who are trans or nonbinary. In the 10 years since these resolutions were passed, the need for spaces of belonging is even more necessary.

This past winter and spring, I was honored to chair the task force of the Commission on Social Action (CSA) that published "Infinite Value: A Resource Manual Promoting Transgender Belonging and Justice" in June 2025 to provide resources for communities within the Reform Movement so that our members who are transgender and nonbinary feel safe and in place of belonging.

With the dignity and rights of transgender people being publicly attacked, the Commission on Social Action understood the urgent need to act quickly and provide a collection of resources for all members of the Reform community:

• If you are a congregational leader (professional or lay), you can find sample statements of belonging, links to trainings to promote trans and nonbinary belonging, posters and signage, pronoun labels, and guidance on how to make your website and forms inclusive.
• If you are clergy, you will find inspiration through sample sermons and responsa. There are also language suggestions to make prayers, services, holidays, and rituals more inclusive, as well as practices to commemorate life-cycle events for members of the community who are trans and non-binary.
• If you are a religious school educator, this resource will provide you with links to sample curriculum for all ages, posters that promote belonging, materials and books that are LGTBQ+ inclusive, and confidentiality policies to protect the privacy of students who are LGBTQ+.
• No matter your role, you will find powerful readings, ways to advocate for and resources for transgender and nonbinary community members.

This collection of resources will help you foster communities of belonging by building an affirming environment through language, physical space, congregational forms, websites, confidentiality, and advocacy. Most notably, this is a living document; new resources will be added as we find them. If you have a resource, sermon, or program you would like to share, please let us know at rac@rac.org.

Reform communities are committed to being spaces of belonging for all. At this moment, it is particularly imperative that we are safe and supportive spaces for members of the transgender and nonbinary communities. I hope you’ll find a way to use “Infinite Value: A Resource Manual Promoting Transgender Belonging and Justice” to foster belonging in your community!