A core value in BJ’s community covenant is Kavod (honor), and our mission is to create an inclusive and welcoming community. We welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families, providing a safe and supportive space where all are embraced as cherished members of our kehillah. From the stories of the Torah to our rabbinic teachings, we uncover narratives that invite us to weave connections between our traditions and the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. And through education, dialogue, and community engagement, we strive to foster an environment of understanding, acceptance, and love. 

At BJ, we work toward justice, equity, and love, guided by our Jewish values. And so while there have been many advances in LGBTQ+ rights that we firmly support, there have also been significant legislative attacks on the community—in particular, against trans and non-binary folks, who are facing challenges to their very existence—and we will continue to fight against any and all discrimination, injustice, and abuse.  

In our pursuit of justice and equality, we recognize that the journey is ongoing. We aim to empower our congregants to be agents of change, speaking out against injustice and working toward a world where every person is respected and valued. Together, we strive to build a community where everyone can live with authenticity, love, and acceptance.

BJ has a long history of honoring the holiness and dignity of all human beings, of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Every June, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month as an additional way to show our love and support.

BJ is a diverse community, and we strive to be inclusive, accepting, and embracing of all. In order to more explicitly demonstrate respect and acceptance of members from our community who are transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming, many staff members use gender pronouns in our email signatures. In doing so, we are joining a growing number of individuals and organizations who do this as a way to say “you belong here” to people who have often felt marginalized, especially in Jewish spaces.

We know that not everyone shares their pronouns in this way, or that this practice may be unfamiliar. If you have any questions about this practice and would like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to our staff.