Steve Bascove's Message

TEMPLE ISREAL WELCOMES THE GLBT COMMUNITY

Dear Friends,

This month’s article is compliments of Harriette Ellis. Harriette and Liz Sharzer write feature articles for us each month for the Chronicle. Unfortunately, this article never made the Chronicle pages due to a change in the new physical format of paper. I felt it was a story that should be told, and Harriette agreed.

Temple Israel Long Beach, long noted for its embracing attitude toward all Jews, regardless of sexual orientation, and believing that all Jews are “family,” will host its second GLBT Shabbat program on Friday, March 12 in the temple. The service will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by a dinner, social gathering, and square dancing.

The gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender event is open to all persons, and families are welcome. The affiliated and unaffiliated (tell your friends) are invited to attend as well as members of other temples, said Co-Chairs Matt Davis and Mark Dressner. Those who plan to attend the dinner are requested to make their reservations immediately to clw@tilb.org or call (562) 434-0996. There will be a nominal fee to cover the cost of the dinner, and vegetarian options are available.

Event chair, Matt Davis, said that “our temple has a long history of welcoming this diverse community, and many lesbian and gay Jewish families have found a spiritual home here.” Davis feels that this event not only highlights the temple’s inclusiveness but also affords a wonderful opportunity to share a blessed event with guests from other congregations and unaffiliated Jewish persons who want to enjoy a family-friendly evening.

There is a wealth of resources available for the GLBT Jewish community, Davis added, especially noting the Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center and the World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Jews, which Temple Israel has just joined. But, Davis said, “The most important aspect of advancing the rights and liberties of GLBT persons is making a personal connection with the communities in which we live.” In addition, he suggested checking Temple Israel’s website calendar section at www.tilb.org for regular updates on this area’s diverse Jewish community.

We look forward to an enjoyable event.