An Update From The Chicagoland Keshet Leadership Project

By Essie Shachar-Hill | November 15, 2018

Keshet

Keshet is a national organization that works for LGBTQ equality in Jewish life. The organization equips Jewish leaders with tools to build LGBTQ-affirming communities, creates spaces for queer Jewish teens to feel valued and develop their own leadership skills, and mobilizes the Jewish community to fight for LGBTQ justice. Keshet’s blog spotlights this work, as well as the voices of LGBTQ Jews, our families, and allies.

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On November 8th, over 70 Chicagoland Jewish professionals came together for the kickoff summit of the yearlong Chicagoland Keshet Leadership Project. Participants learned key concepts of sexuality and gender, explored ancient Jewish texts and values as they relate to LGBTQ inclusion, and committed to taking tangible steps to embrace LGBTQ individuals and families on an organizational level. Summit participants also heard from two Chicago-area rabbis who shared profound personal and professional experiences that emphasized the importance of Jewish LGBTQ inclusion and the deep need in the Chicago Jewish community for this type of work.

Listening to @Rabbiriffs with @KeshetGLBTJews and teams from @lakesidecong @CongSolel inspirational ending. #whatjewisheducatorsbelieve pic.twitter.com/p2BQAcoCfN

— Vanessa M. Ehrlich (@VMEhrlich) November 8, 2018

With 22 organizations, the Chicagoland group represents the cohort with the most participating organizations in Keshet history! The cohort includes organizations that work with a range of diverse populations; from young children to college students to seniors. The cohort includes day schools, congregations, advocacy organizations, and social service organizations. Each organization created a unique action plan of concrete steps for increased LGBTQ inclusion to be completed within one year with ongoing support from Keshet.

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After the summit, attendees voiced a renewed sense of commitment and excitement for working towards greater inclusivity in their communities!