Leap of faith: Pride is a significant part of our calendar

Historically, many religious communities have not been welcoming places for LGBTQI+ people. Often built around heteronormative assumptions, religious institutions have been guilty of ‘blindness’ at best and outright discrimination at worst.

Progressive Judaism is different. We are founded on the values of justice and diversity – and that is the kind of religious community we strive to build together. Our Progressive congregations are communities of all our members and all those who love them. It is through embracing and celebrating our differences and richness that our communal thriving is born.

We recognise that Judaism is a living, changing and thriving force in the lives of our members and that our ancient tradition has much wisdom to offer a contemporary world that can sometimes feel confronting. Ancient wisdom, however, is not the same as outmoded and narrow views of what is deemed to be ‘proper’ and what is not. And whilst, for many, the unique challenges faced by members of the LGBTQI+ community may feel less pressing than in previous decades, we would be wise not to fall into complacency. LGBTQI+ rights and protections are being rolled back in many parts of the world, both explicitly and in more hidden, but no less detrimental, ways.

It is for all these reasons that Progressive Judaism is proud to support Pride Month and Pride Shabbat, which have both become significant moments in our ritual calendar. However, let us also remember that Pride Month is just one month out of 12. Becoming truly diverse and inclusive communities means committing to building shared spaces where we each are honoured in our uniqueness, not only in June but every day of the year.

Our communities must be places where we can each see ourselves reflected. The language we use, the role models we promote, the history we chose to celebrate and teach – all of these have the potential to include and the possibility to exclude, erase and injure.

Welcoming members of the LGBTQI+ community requires us to do so much more than simply extending the invitation to step in, as important as that first step most definitely is.

Taking the time to understand why heteronormative and sexist assumptions in our tradition may feel alienating is not being woke. It is taking seriously the injury committed against members of our own communities by elements of our tradition. This is the purpose of Jewish community – to nurture, celebrate and pursue the possibility of meaningful belonging for all.

At its best, community shows us a glimpse of what the world could be, of what we could be, of what we can be, as we glimpse the possible: a world in which we are each seen.