Rabbi Menachem Creditor: June 2024

Pride Month: A Jewish Celebration

Rabbi Menachem Creditor

As we celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, we reflect upon the tapestry of identities and expressions that make our community vibrant and whole. From a Jewish perspective, this month serves as a poignant reminder of our commitment to the principles of justice, dignity, and inclusivity embedded in our sacred texts and traditions.

Our tradition teaches us that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. This divine spark within each of us calls us to honor and celebrate the diversity of God's creation. LGBTQ Pride Month is a time to affirm this principle loudly and clearly, ensuring that all members of our community feel seen, valued, and loved.

Jewish history is enriched by the contributions of LGBTQ individuals who have paved the way for a more inclusive and just world. We honor the legacy of Jewish trailblazers such as Magnus Hirschfeld, the physician and sexologist who founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, one of the first organizations to advocate for LGBTQ rights. We remember Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, whose courage and advocacy continue to inspire us. And we celebrate the ongoing work of contemporary leaders like my dear friends Rabbi Denise L. Eger and Rabbi Aaron Weininger, soulful trailblazers in LGBTQ advocacy within the Jewish community and the broader world.

These individuals and many others have shown us that being true to oneself is an act of profound faith and courage. Their stories teach us that our community's strength lies in our diversity, and that our collective voice is most powerful when it includes and amplifies the voices of all its members, each a refraction of the Infinite Divine.

In the spirit of our Jewish values, we must not only include but also actively amplify LGBTQ voices in our communal and religious leadership. Our tradition calls us to pursue justice, as stated in Deuteronomy 16:20, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” (Justice, justice shall you pursue). This pursuit is not passive; it demands action, advocacy, and allyship. It requires us to create spaces where LGBTQ individuals can lead with authenticity and where their contributions are celebrated.

We must recognize that the moral urgency of this moment extends beyond mere inclusion. It is about ensuring that LGBTQ Jews have equal opportunities to shape the future of our communities. This means supporting LGBTQ individuals in their journey to become rabbis, educators, and leaders. It means creating policies and practices within our institutions that reflect our commitment to equality and justice. And it means standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ community in the face of ongoing discrimination and violence. We must each do our part to build a community where everyone can live with dignity and pride.

As we celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to these values. Let us honor the legacy of those who have fought for equality and justice, and let us pledge to continue their work. May we be inspired by their courage, and may we strive to create a world where every individual is recognized as a reflection of the Divine, worthy of love, respect, and celebration.

In this sacred work, we find not only the true essence of Jewish tradition but also the path to a more just and compassionate world. Happy Pride Month, and may we all continue to be blessed with the strength to pursue justice, love, and equality for all!