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CONTACT
JOINED
October 25, 2022
INDUSTRY
Faith
BADGES
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DESCRIPTION
Congregation Sha'are Shalom is a modern synagogue, blending tradition and change, providing opportunities for our members to engage with Judaism and enjoy a sense of community. We are diverse and active, contributing to the communities that surround us with a variety of social, social action, educational, and cultural programs.
OUR REVIEW
As an early adopter of the Equality Allies program, Congregation Sha'are Shalom demonstrates a commitment to the ideals of diversity, inclusion, and equality. With a thorough review of their practices, we found no history of discrimination.
General Survey
Question: How many of your employees or volunteers are members of the LGBTQ+ community?
Answer: 5%-10%
Question: Are your leadership, human resources, employees, or volunteers provided or required to utilize LGBTQ-specific training or educational content each year?
Answer: It is recommended.
Question: How often do you believe your leadership, human resources, employees, or volunteers utilize LGBTQ-specific training or educational content each year?
Answer: We require annual training.
Question: Do you feel that your policies and procedures cover LGBTQ-specific needs for all of your employees, staff, and volunteers?
Answer: We have worked directly with an LGBTQ+ organization to create our policies and procedures.
Question: Do you feel that your policies and procedures cover LGBTQ-specific needs for your those who rely on your service?
Answer: We have worked directly with an LGBTQ+ organization to create our policies and procedures.
Question: How well do you feel that you and your staff are doing at creating an accepting and affirming presence for the LGBTQ+ community?
Answer: We have year-round shows of support that are specifically affirming or positive for the LGBTQ+ community.
Place of Worship Survey
Question: Please list the title or denomination that best suits your place of worship.
Answer: Synagogue
Question: How long has your congregation been LGBTQ+ friendly?
Answer: More than 20 years
Question: Please describe ways in which you ensure that queer individuals, couples, and families are made to feel welcomed in your space.
Answer: We have modified our ritual traditions to be gender-neutral, our membership application form refers to adults and children vs. males and females, we respect everyone's pronouns, we have employees and volunteers who are active in the LGBTQ+ community, we participate as a congregation in LGBTQ+ events such as pride and religious, our clergy will marry Jews from the LGBTQ+ community - to name a few!
Question: Please indicate which of the following are TRUE for your place of worship:
Answer: We prohibit anti-queer messaging or scripture to be taught., We accept queer individuals as members of our place of worship., We have intervened in support of a queer individual on behalf of our faith., We perform same-sex marriages., We allow queer people to serve in leadership in our place of worship., We perform marriages involving transgender individuals., We accept queer people to serve as mentors or godparents., We accept and support queer parents (whether through adoption or biological means)., We accept and support queer youth and affirm their place in our place of worship., We support transgender children seeking transition-related healthcare.
Question: Does your facility have a non-gendered bathroom available or a trans-inclusive bathroom policy?
Answer: Yes
Question: Do you host an LGBTQ+ inclusive youth program?
Answer: Yes
Question: Do you provide LGBTQ+ inclusive literature, books, or other materials within your youth program(s)?
Answer: Yes
Question: Does your Youth Program discuss families other than hetero normative make-ups?
Answer: Yes
Question: Does your congregation make donations to LGBTQ+ organizations and, if Yes, which ones?
Answer: Keshet, Equality Loudoun
Question: Please elaborate on your faith’s view of same-sex relationships:
Answer: Treated equally as opposite-sex marriages. See https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/tzedek-justice/gender-and-lgbtq/resolutionse Resolution in Support of Equal Rights and Inclusion for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender (GLBT) Persons
Question: Does your congregation believe that gender identity (being transgender or non-binary) or sexual orientation (being gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc) are immutable characteristics imbued by God or are they influenced, changed, or chosen based on man-made behaviors, decisions, and beliefs?
Answer: With respect to gender identity and sexual orientation, our congregation encourages people to be, and embraces them for being, who they are. Period.