Pride Shabbat at The Temple

Friday, June 17

Erev Pride Shabbat: 7:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Representative Keturah Herron

Saturday, June 18

Torah Study: 9:00 am
Pride Shabbat Service: 10:30 am
Pride Luncheon: Noon

RSVP for luncheon BELOW

The Temple is celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month. Pride Shabbat honors our LGBTQ members and families who lead Shabbat morning services on Saturday, June 18. We will also view a special video about what it means to be an LGBTQ member at our Temple.

Pride Shabbat will begin with a special Torah study dedicated to LGBTQ issues and learning, followed by services and a special lunch catered by Chef Z for all who attend (RSVP is needed). The desserts will include the famous WRJ/Sisterhood rainbow cake and we will bless the home-baked rainbow challah created by Sarah Harlan.

The Temple is the only Jewish congregation in Kentucky that commemorates LGBTQ pride month with special Shabbat Services and a host of other programs. The Temple is also the only Jewish faith community in Louisville that is a proud member of the Bluegrass Rainbow Faith Communities, an Interfaith Directory of open, welcoming, and LGBTQ+ affirming Kentucky congregations.

Judaism teaches that the differences between humans are a divine act: God created us different and distinct from each other. Every one of us has our own face, opinions, and orientation. Some of us have one sexual orientation and one gender identity, and some have another. We were all created in God’s image.

Together with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning members, we celebrate the sanctity of every human life and seek to realize the divine image inherent in us all. The Temple is leading religious discourse that seeks to welcome LGBTQ members as equals in society at large and in our own community. A genuine invitation to join our community requires recognition of the unique value and life stories of LGBTQ people and celebration of the contribution they make to our Temple.

Through such an invitation, our own community will become richer and more diverse; while members of the LGBTQ community are able to enjoy community life and the additional meaning Reform Judaism brings to all our members. 

Pride Shabbat, as well as all other activities at The Temple, will be celebrated in June as part of a worldwide program of Pride events commemorating the beginnings of the LGBTQ liberation movement in June 1969. Since then, Pride Month includes parades, demonstrations, and prayers. We invite all of the community to participate in these special events and services.

Please join us for a Tot Havdalah with arts and crafts, special treats, stories, and songs. Come Zoom in your pajamas to say goodnight to Shabbat (and the adults can then say goodnight to their tots).

RSVPs will be required in order for your tots to receive their special bags. Please make sure to save the date as this will be a wonderful family event!