Inclusivity
Liberal Judaism has always been at the vanguard of equality, and has offered equity to those traditionally excluded such as LGBTQI+ people, ‘Jews by choice’ or ‘patrilineal Jews’. Equality and inclusion are key values for Liberal Jews. Liberal Judaism welcomes all Jews, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Liberal Judaism affirms the need for an inclusive attitude to Jewish identity. Liberal Judaism welcomes into its congregations all who have a good claim to be regarded as Jewish, regardless of their background or identity. Liberal Judaism has been pioneering in its campaign for LGBTQI+ rights, including successfully lobbying the UK government to introduce equal marriage. In 2017, Liberal Judaism became the first Jewish movement in the world to offer Ketubot (marriage contracts) written for same sex couples and those favouring a gender neutral Ketubah.
Diversity is also about disability and any other way in which people feel they are different. Liberal Judaism offers a place of belonging and acceptance where everyone is welcome.
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“Liberal Judaism went ‘above and beyond’ to accommodate our autistic son to have a full Bar Mitzvah service. The Synagogue was made available to us on a Sunday, so that only friends and family that he knew and felt comfortable with were in attendance – to make it as stress free as possible. Despite his difficulties, he was able to brilliantly say his blessings and sing his Torah portion. Many happy tears were shed in a very emotional, love filled event. For this we will be eternally grateful.“
Warren Lawrence
PODCAST
This episode explores the theme of equality diversity and inclusion.
Equality and inclusion are key values for Liberal Jews. Liberal Judaism welcomes all Jews, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. In this episode Liberal Jews from all walks of life share their stories about acceptance.
You will hear that some people feel that their needs have been accommodated, whilst others feel these are yet to be addressed. Although these voices record diverse experiences, the overwhelming message is that Liberal Judaism offers a place of belonging and acceptance – where everyone is welcome.
You can read a transcript of the podcast HERE
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“ We came to BKY and certainly I just felt at home. We came to BKY, I think the first time we came was for the High Holy Days, five-and-a-half years ago I think, and Alex was about eleven. Alex had already come out at eleven as gay and later came out as non-binary, and one of the things that happened at BKY which is really nice to mention is, we did a little name-changing ceremony when Alex changed their name because they chose Alex because it’s a non-gender-specific name which works for them with being non-binary. And Janet did that with us as part of a Friday night service which was really sort of significant – I mean, Alex had a bar mitzvah at BKY as well, but I think the name changing thing was almost more significant because it’s a real acceptance of who they are and Alex really values BKY. “