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Information

HaNefesh
Synagogue or Prayer Group
Reform
714-699-4827
15333 Culver Drive
Irvine, California 92604

About

HaNefesh is a radically inclusive Jewish community where every soul truly matters. From our founding in 2020 by Rabbi Heidi and Jodi Kaufman, we have been committed to creating a safe, affirming, and joyful spiritual home for the LGBTQ+ community. We are proud to center belonging, where people of all gender identities and sexual orientations are celebrated—not just welcomed. As a virtual community, we offer accessible and meaningful Jewish experiences online and occasionally in person, making it easier for people to engage wherever they are. Our services, programs, and life cycle events—including B/Bet Mitzvah, weddings, baby namings/welcomings, and funerals—are designed with inclusivity at their core. We believe everyone deserves a space to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world while staying connected to Jewish tradition. As the first community of our kind within the Reform Movement, HaNefesh is proud to be a spiritual home where LGBTQ+ individuals and families can fully be themselves and fully do Jewish.

Listing Details

Organizational Policies

  • Benefits such as health insurance, parental leave, etc. are gender-neutral and LGBTQ+ inclusive
  • Has written anti-bullying policies that specifically address identity-based bullying
  • Has written nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy that mentions gender identity and expression
  • Has written nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy that mentions sexual orientation
  • All registration forms have been updated for LGBTQ+ belonging (i.e. adult 1 / 2 , parents or guardians, expansive gender options, pronouns, etc)
  • Strategic priority of LGBTQ+ engagement

Programming

  • Offers LGBTQ+ affinity spaces
  • Engages with LGBTQ+ civil rights in a way that is consistent with our engagement with civil rights for any core constituency
  • Curriculum and educational materials reflect LGBTQ+ people and identities
  • Has regular programming on LGBTQ+ themes
  • Observes LGBTQ+ days of significance (such as Pride, National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Visibility, etc)
  • Speakers/presenters/scholars in residence include LGBTQ+ people

Ritual

  • Offers and frequently uses gender-expansive ritual language
  • Celebrates LGBTQ+ life cycle events

Staff & Leadership

  • Has working group or task force for LGBTQ+ belonging
  • LGBTQ+ people are represented in our senior leadership
  • LGBTQ+ people are represented on our board
  • Incoming staff and public-facing volunteers receive LGBTQ+ awareness training as part of orientation
  • Leadership and staff/volunteers have been trained on LGBTQ+ belonging within the past five years