This issue focuses on the journey of LGBTQIA+ clergy, from early struggles to present-day progress and visions for the future. The essays and reflections examine the milestones, challenges, and triumphs of LGBTQIA+ clergy, offering insight into the evolving landscape of Jewish leadership and inclusion. The issue also contains new book reviews and poetry.
Opening the Doors to LGBTQIA+ Clergy: Past, Present, and Future From the Editor
At the Gates Guest Editors: Rabbi Ellen Lippmann and Rabbi Ariel Tovlev, MAJE
Articles
The CCAR Ad Hoc Committee on Homosexuality and the Rabbinate, 1985–1990 — Rabbi Yoel H. Kahn, PhD
Allies, Activists, and Opponents in the Pre-History of the Ad Hoc Committee on Homosexuality and the Rabbinate — Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig
Hineinu: A Little-Known Chapter in the Fight for LGBTQIA+ Ordination — Rabbi David Edleson
One Rabbi’s Journey to Serve the Congregation of Israel — Rabbi Eric Weiss
The Emergence of Transgender Spirituality — Rabbi Aria Caligiuri
Intersections of Identity: Exploring LGBTQIA+ Conversions to Judaism — Rabbi Lynne D. Goldsmith and Mara J. Waller, PhD
Emergent Engagement in Euphoria: The Nonbinary Hebrew Project as a Fractal Roadmap Toward Liberation — Lior Gross
Thrice Blessed — Cantor Evan Kent
From Out of the Aron Kodesh/Holy Closet: A Lifetime of Lessons — Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
Opening the Tent Doors and Practicing Audacious Hospitality — Rabbi Andrew F. Klein
The Job Search from Hell — Rabbi Robin Nafshi
My Almost Silenced Prayer — Rabbi Dr. Nachshon Siritsky
Trans Shechinah — Joy Ladin, PhD
Weaving the Pink, Blue, and White Mishkan: A Trans Rabbinical Student’s Reflection on Drag Bans and Student Pulpits — Benjamin Luks-Morgan
But the Sea Is Always Open: Exploring Trans-Affirming Mikveh When the Mikvehs Are Closed — Rabbi Max Zev Reynolds
Turn It and Turn It — Eliana Rubin
Nonbinary Liturgy — Cantor Ze’evi Tovlev
The Trans Halakha Project — Laynie Soloman and Rabbi Becky Silverstein
Black Queer Jewish Joy — Rabbi Kelly Whitehead
Thirty-Eight Years at HUC-JIR/NY: Four Before the Decision, Thirty-Four Since — Rabbi Nancy H. Wiener, Dmin, BCC
Panel Discussion
Book Reviews
And the Sages Did Not Know: Early Rabbinic Approaches to Intersex by Rabbi Sarra Lev, PhD — Reviewed by Rabbi Ariel Tovlev
Loaves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year Through Challah by Rabbi Vanessa Harper— Reviewed by Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal
Circumventing the Law: Rabbinic Perspective on Legal Loopholes and Integrity by Elana Stein Hain — Reviewed by Rabbi Karen R. Thomashow
Poetry
Victim, Pioneer, Soldier — Rabbi Karen Bender
We Keep Praying — Rabbi Mónica Gomery
The Babe’s Legacy — Yermiyahu Ahron Taub
Mazal Tov! — Roger Nash
How Could God? — Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce, PhD
Rabbi Edwin Goldberg currently serves as the rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands, in the Houston area. He received rabbinic ordination and a doctorate in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (in 1989 and 1994, respectively). He has authored several books, including: Midrash for Beginners, Heads and Tales: Stories of the Sages to Enlighten Our Minds, Swords and Plowshares: Jewish Views of War and Peace, Love Tales from the Talmud, Saying No and Letting Go: Jewish Wisdom on Making Room for What Matters Most. He served as the Coordinating Editor of the new Reform Jewish machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh. He also edited a companion commentary, Divrei Mishkan HaNefesh and has published many articles and sermons. Rabbi Goldberg has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami in the department of Religious Studies and Judaic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.