This course earns .5 credits towards smicha
This 5-hour course on 2SLGBTQIA+ Jewish community policies and practices is the last of the pre-recorded curriculum series and will provide students with an overview of the opportunities for them to create safe(r) and more inclusive Jewish communities, as well as some of the practice considerations that they must consider as they prepare for their rabbinates and begin to develop their field seminar project for their final course of the curriculum.
Course Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify community resources and approaches to ritual that can help 2SLGBTQIA+ Jews and their loved ones
- Identify several best practices in synagogue leadership and policy for inclusion
- Identify best practices to creating change in a synagogue or organizational context
- Identify best practices to creating macro/communal change
- Identify several rabbinic and community policies and approaches to support congregants who identify as Queer and their loved ones
- Identify contemporary social justice concerns facing 2SLGBTQIA+ Jews and their loved ones
- Identify interfaith approaches to sanctifying queer-affirming communities
- Articulate one’s own rabbinic approach to dealing with the unique pastoral needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ Jews and their families
Course Overview
The difference between espoused and operational theology
Articulating one’s own rabbinic theology and framework
Creating safer Jewish spaces and affirming community practices
Community engagement strategies and theoretical frameworks for change
Synagogue policies
Interfaith Case Study: United Church of Canada
Beyond Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods: GSAs and Third Spaces
Social Justice Concerns and Considerations
Course Readings
https://gsanetwork.org/build-the-gsa-movement/
https://affirmunited.ause.ca/affirming-ministry-requirements/
Goodwin, M. (2022) The Impact of Religious Trauma on the LGBTQ+ Community: A Systemic Review. University of Alabama: https://ir.ua.edu/items/94ded469-005f-44c5-b1a2-1f2833b5f554
What is Trauma-informed care: https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/social-research/institutes-centers/institute-on-trauma-and-trauma-informed-care/what-is-trauma-informed-care.html
Change management: https://medium.com/the-abs-tract-organization/convergence-for-consensus-building-a6141f3403ba
Change Management theories: https://www.runn.io/blog/change-management-models
I am grateful for the depth of research, resources shared, and above all Rabbi Siritsky's care in creating these six courses - so we can become the most inclusive, thoughtful and compassionate rabbis we can be for our communities.