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Information

Congregation Shaarei Shamayim
Synagogue or Prayer Group
Reconstructionist;Renewal
608-257-2944
P.O. Box 5081
Madison, Wisconsin 53705

About

We are deeply committed to LGBTQ+ rights and do significant programming including an upcoming Trans Visibility and Joy Shabbat. We also sponsor the Trans Day of Remembrance and Pride Festival. We change our liturgy to be accommodating to LGBTQ+ folks, and we are revisioning and recreating our LGBTQ+ havurah. We tend to the well-being of our LGBTQ+ committee as part of our DEI work; the chair of this committee serves on our board.

Listing Details

Organizational Policies

  • Benefits such as health insurance, parental leave, etc. are gender-neutral and LGBTQ+ inclusive
  • 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
  • Requirements for ritual wear are trans- and nonbinary inclusive

Spaces

  • Has all-gender restroom/s and locker/changing rooms (if applicable) available

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