Kehilla Community Synagogue is comprised of people of all genders and sexual orientations: transgender people, bisexual people, lesbians, gay men, intersex people, straight folks, and those questioning or exploring their sexuality or gender identity. We affirm the divinity in all of these expressions of gender and sexuality, and we are committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone in our community.

For our queer members and guests and their loved ones, we provide for ourselves a Jewish space where we can bring our whole beings in all our complexity, enjoying the support and affirmation of our non-queer allies. In our evolving Jewish practice, we seek to challenge the homophobia and transphobia that have historically been found in Jewish traditions.

Rabbi Dev leads a blessing as teen leader Eli S. hangs a rainbow flag outside Kehilla’s front door.
Our clergy are available to support people who may be questioning or struggling with these issues, or who may be the target of bullying or hurtful speech. To our queer and questioning youth we say: as always, we love you and support you. This is your home.

Kehilla is a member of the Welcoming Synagogues Project, a national project to increase the safety and welcome of LGBTQI individuals, couples and families in synagogues all over the country. Kehilla’s LGBTQI & A Welcoming Committee enhances our community’s LGBTQI and A (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Allies) welcome, visibility and inclusion.

For more information and resources, please visit the websites listed below:

Keshet
LGBT Jewish inclusion organization, based in Boston.
www.keshetonline.org

Groundspark
Maker and distributor of award-winning films, and related trainings, including It’s Elementary, That’s a Family, and Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got us all Tied Up.
http://groundspark.org/get-involved/groundspark-responds-to-tragic-news-of-teen-suicides

The Trevor Project
A leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Trevor Lifeline: 866-4-U-Trevor / 866-488-7386

It Gets Better Project
Video messages from LGBTQ adults sharing stories of their struggles as young queers and the ways that they’ve lived into happiness, love and acceptance.
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject

Make it Better Project
Videos by LGBTQ youth empowering themselves and each other to make it better.
http://www.youtube.com/user/makeitbetterproject

Southern Poverty Law Center / Teaching Tolerance
This civil rights organization is offering free copies of its dvd about standing up to anti-gay bullying through legal action against a school district.
http://www.tolerance.org/bullied

TransTorah
Excellent resources for contemporary transgender Jewish life (rituals, blessings, personal stories) along with Jewish texts affirming multiple genders and the holiness of people of all genders.
www.transtorah.org

Nehirim
LGBTQ Jewish spirituality programs, including retreats, urban gatherings and community building events.
www.nehirim.org

Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation
Based in the Reform movement’s Los Angeles seminary, Hebrew Union College, IJSO is charged with “preparing Jewish leadership with the capacity, compassion and skills to change congregational attitudes, policies, and, indeed, Jewish society so as to include each and every Jew, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
http://huc.edu/ijso/about/

GLSEN – Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Focused on K-12 settings.
www.glsen.org

LYRIC
Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center- is a community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth. Since 1988, LYRIC has provided support for thousands of youth through our conferences, dances, programs at the LYRIC House, community outreach events, and in-school presentations. All of our programs are designed to promote mutual respect, safety, and social interaction.
www.lyric.org

COLAGE
A national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parent/s. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.
www.colage.org

Siddur Sha’ar Zahav
Created by and for LGBTQ Jews and their allies, Siddur Sha’ar Zahav includes both traditional Jewish liturgy and original, queer-positive prayers and readings for Shabbat, festivals and life cycles.
http://www.shaarzahav.org/siddur