Second Annual Equality Shabbat “Creating a Welcoming Community”
The Temple commemorates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride month with the Second Annual Equality Shabbat June 25, 2016 from 9:00 am -1:00 pm.
Equality Shabbat was inspired by Congregation Kol HaNeshama in Jerusalem, which began the tradition of celebrating LGBTQ pride in 2007. The Temple represents the only Jewish congregation in Kentucky that commemorates LGBTQ pride month with a special Shabbat Service.
Equality Shabbat 2016/5776: “Creating a Welcoming Community”
Schedule of Events:
9:00 am Torah Study (text study)
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Services
12:00 noon Free Kiddush Luncheon, Panel and Community Forum on hospitality and
inclusion.
Community guests include representatives from the LGBTQ Center at University of Louisville,
The Women’s Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Fairness Campaign.
Kentucky’s oldest and largest Jewish congregation and a founding member of the Reform Movement, The Temple has always promoted the two central ideals in Jewish teachings “Love thy neighbor” and “All people are created in God’s image.” Throughout The Temple’s 175 year history, Rabbis and lay leaders have been active in civil rights and in advocating for fair treatment of all people including LGBTQ individuals. The Temple was Louisville’s first Jewish congregation to hire an out rabbi. The Temple rabbis are active with the Fairness Campaign and have conducted same sex marriage rites since 1996 – including the first same sex marriage in the state of Israel. The Temple is a welcoming congregation and celebrates the contributions of all of its members. The Temple rabbis hope that Equality Shabbat will help to promote acceptance for and celebration of LGBTQ individuals in Louisville and throughout the region.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information about this special Equality Shabbat, please contact
The Temple at 502-423-1818.
