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Greeters can make a powerful first impression on visitors and members of your community. Effective greeters can cultivate a culture of belonging for people from all backgrounds, Jewish or not, who enter your doors.

Conversely, lack of a greeting, or the wrong kind of greeting, can unintentionally marginalize individuals and families and signal the exact opposite of what we are aiming to communicate. Many of us from underrepresented backgrounds — Jews of Color, Jews who are trans/non-binary/gender expansive, single Jews, working class Jews, Jews with disabilities etc. — are often unintentionally made to feel like we don’t belong or are in the wrong place. Adopting some simple language can make a huge difference in building a welcoming and affirming community for all.

As greeters, always keep in mind…

• Avoid assumptions. Let people tell you who they are.
• People coming here belong! Ask questions, like those detailed below, from this starting place. (If you already have an existing relationship with someone, it is okay to engage in deeper conversations, but greeting on its own does not entitle us to more information about someone.)

Additional resources: 

• URJ & Keshet Trans Inclusion Guide
• Audacious Hospitality Microaggression Resource
• Creating an Affirming & Inclusive Greeter Training from URJ and Temple Israel of Boston