You most likely have never heard of Dr. Jake Kleinmahon but you must pay attention to the cautionary tale of his life. He is one of Louisiana's only three pediatric cardiologists dealing with profoundly ill children, and has had to leave the state over anti-LGBTQ legislation. He and his husband and two children are now making a life in New York where he is not fearful for the safety of his family and he will open a new pediatric cardiologist practice there.
You should also know the name of Benjamin Sumner Wells. He served President Franklin D. Roosevelt for many years in various roles, ultimately as Under Secretary of State, assisting with the saving of Jews from Nazi Germany. This was halted as he was forced out of his position in 1943 due to rumors that he was gay. One can only wonder if more Jews could have been saved had he been allowed to continue his very important work.
I speak with LGBTQ+ Jews who are religious daily and unfortunately, have had to come to the realization with them that an increasing number of states in the USA are no longer safe places. One of the saddest conversations I had recently was with a wonderful Rabbi who called to ask about safe communities he could counsel the transgender persons in his Kehillah/community to consider as new homes, given that his state was becoming an increasingly dangerous place for these individuals to JUST LIVE!
………. Okay, so I do not really keep up with this blog any longer as I am really busy on so many fronts and the Hagim (the Jewish holidays) have been an additional element in our lives at present. BUT, there must be a reason I did not continue this UNTIL TODAY. For today, we have so much to celebrate.
Oakland, California is where one of our Eshel Rock Star Rabbis, Rabbi Gershon Albert is the Senior Rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation and they now have the first openly gay Orthodox Rabbi, Shua Brick, in a congregational post. Rabbi Brick is a Yeshiva University Rabbinic alumnus and he has already established himself as a wonderful teacher, leader and dugma (role model) for how to live. meaningful and involved Jewish life. There are many of us in the Orthodox Jewish world and especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community amongst us that are marking this significant milestone. You can read the story here https://forward.com/news/563113/shua-brick-gay-orthodox-rabbi-oakland/
As a strictly observant Jew, I have never questioned the importance or my ability to walk in any lane of the Jewish world or the Multi-Faith world or just the world….. My husband and I have taught and shown our four children how to do the same. Three of the four of them are in the LGBTQ+ spectrum and are living their lives purposefully and meaningfully. This is what I try to help ensure that people can do through my work with Eshel, the Orthodox Jewish consortium for LGBTQ+ inclusion. I have seen so much change in the past ten years, being able to have more meaningful and deep conversations with Rabbis, parents and community members who did not even engage with this topic not so long ago. I always say that it is our responsibility and our privilege, and ultimately we will benefit, from including and valuing our children and community members who are LGBTQ+ for who they are. With one daughter as a palliative care physician, another as a community organizer working with populations at risk, and my daughters-in-law --- one a rabbi and one engaged in community work, counseling and bringing students of different faith communities together, I could not be more proud. SO MANY people are benefitting from their professionalism, their wisdom and their skill sets. THIS is what we want for all of our children and just imagine who will benefit.
I feel badly for the community in New Orleans who has lost one of their very few important medical specialists. I often wonder how many more Jews could have been rescued from Nazi Europe had Wells been able to continue his important work. How many other communities are suffering as I am counseling people who are being forced to leave their homes IN THIS COUNTRY because of their gender or sexuality diversity.
And then there are places to celebrate. I am so glad and grateful that I live in the Greater Philadelphia area and we have so many really important members of our community doing significant work who are LGBTQ+. I know so many in Boston benefit from the efforts and initiatives of our children there and their friends. And now Oakland California is here to teach us all …. It is NOT about gender or sexuality. It IS about what people have to offer to make us all better people.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
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