Reconstructing Judaism’s president, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., has been hailed as an LGBT Icon as part of LGBT History Month. Waxman is the first woman and first lesbian to lead a major Jewish denomination and rabbinical seminary.
LGBTQ Inclusion
Related Resources
A personal message from Rabbi Deborah Waxman
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association were among sixteen national Jewish organizations expressing opposition to a proposed restrictive legal definition of sex that would effectively define out of existence the gender identities of millions of people.
We lift our collective voices in support of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people — our loved ones, our community leaders, and people across the globe.
In an insightful interview, Rabbi Toba Spitzer (RRC '97) reflects on what motivated her to attend RRC, what it was like to enter the rabbinate as a lesbian, and how much has changed in two decades. She also reflects on what individuals and communities can do to combat social inequality.
RRC/JRC and the RRA joined this brief in opposition to the asserted right of a for-profit employer to fire a transgender female employee based on religious beliefs about sex roles and gender identity.
All branches of the Reconstructionist movement have adapted resolutions affirming the full equality of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.
D'VAR TORAH
Genesis 1:1-6:8
In the first two chapters of the Torah, we find two different accounts of the creation of humanity. In this text study, Rabbi Maurice Harris explores the tension between these two stories, and presents a teaching from Midrash Bereishit Rabbah that presents food for thought about gender, essentialism, and the nature of humanity.
In the wake of terror, a call to choose life and reject hate and intolerance.
Lesser describes the evolution of an LGBT synagogue and dissects the meaning of inclusive community.
Drawing on the surprisingly sophisticated classical Jewish perspective on sex and gender, Rabbi David Teutch advocates for celebration and inclusion of transgender people as a fundamental issue of justice.
With few transgender role models, Rabbi Jacob Lieberman, ’15, faced harassment and bullying almost entirely alone growing up. As an adult, he found acceptance within the Reconstructionist community and from himself. In this d’var torah, Rabbi Lieberman shares how Jewish resources can help comfort those who struggle to find acceptance and wholeness.
Prayers written for insertion into Aids Awareness Shabbat services
Reflecting on his own coming out, Rabbi Jacob Staub examines the varieties of tolerance, inclusion, and being considered "normal."
Rabbi Jacob Staub reflects on the difference between welcoming others and seeing through their eyes.
