Keshet / LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Keshet Committee Mission Statement

The Keshet Committee at Columbia Jewish Congregation exists to ensure that our synagogue is deeply affirming of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. Keshet, the Hebrew word for rainbow, reflects our sacred commitment to honoring the full spectrum of identities in Jewish life. We are a passionate committee of Queer Jews and allies, working to make CJC a spiritual home where everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or family structure can belong, thrive, and find joy in Jewish life.

Our purpose is not symbolic. Inclusion must be tangible, reflected in our policies, our programming, our rituals, and our community culture. That inclusion should also be joyful; seen in the way we celebrate Shabbat and holidays, learn, and live together as a synagogue. Our LGBTQIA+ members, including families with Queer children, individuals exploring their identities, and all those finding their way through Jewish life, deserve to be supported, seen, and celebrated.

Our mission is grounded in the 7 Jewish Values for Social Action, which call us to transform intention into action:

1. B’tzelem Elohim / In the Divine Image This core value lives at the heart of everything we do. We recognize the divine in every human being. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). LGBTQIA+ individuals are sacred, and must be seen, heard, and uplifted as full participants in Jewish communal life.

2. Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof / Pursue Justice “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20) compels us to build a world where Queer people are safe, valued, and treated with dignity, in our congregation and beyond.

3. Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Re’echa / Do Not Stand By “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16) urges us to act when others are harmed. As LGBTQIA+ rights and lives are threatened across society, we are called to speak and act with urgency.

4. Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh / Mutual Responsibility “All of Israel is responsible for one another” (Shavuot 39a). We recognize that the safety and inclusion of Queer Jews is a shared obligation, because when one member of our community is at risk, we all are. We hold each other accountable for creating a compassionate, inclusive community.

5. Ezrachut / Civic Engagement Judaism teaches that disengagement from society leads to its unraveling. We advocate publicly for justice, equality, and dignity for all people, bringing Jewish values into the civic square.

6. Lo Libatel / Persistence As Rabbi Tarfon taught, “It is not up to you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it” (Pirkei Avot 2:16). Change takes time, but we keep showing up, for ourselves, our children, and our future.

7. Chutzpah / Audacity Righteous audacity has always been part of the Jewish story. From Abraham to our modern movements for equality, boldness in the face of injustice is not a liability, it’s a legacy we carry forward.

Together, these values shape our purpose: to ensure that Columbia Jewish Congregation is a spiritual home where LGBTQ+ members and guests are fully cherished. Through education, advocacy, community-building, and joyfully inclusive Jewish practice, the Keshet Committee works toward a future where every Queer person and family can live out their Jewish identity with pride, authenticity, and deep connection.

 

CJC’s Gender Identity and Gender Expression Statement
Columbia Jewish Congregation (CJC) and Columbia Jewish Community School (CJCS) welcome all people regardless of gender identity or gender expression. Wherever individuals of any age identify on the spectrum of gender experiences, we are proud to have them and their families join us to celebrate their milestones, as well as our community observances and activities. We as a community will advocate for the rights of all congregants to live freely and safely among us.