LGBTQ+ Jewish Life

an image of a group of people at a Pride Shabbat at Temple Israel of Ottawa

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.
an image of four people standing on the bimah, two women, a boy and a girl, leading their b'nei mitzvah - all four of them are covering their faces with their hands as they pray.

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.
desk with three sticky notes that say diversity, equality and inclusion

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.