Who We Are: Kulanu

Statement adopted July 26, 2022

צדק צדק תרדף

(Tzedek, Tzedek, Teerdōf)

“Justice, justice, you shall pursue”

Deuteronomy 16:20

Congregation Beth Chaim’s doors are wide open to all.  We are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive spiritual, religious, intellectual and social home based on Reform Jewish values and practices.  We welcome, respect, support and value all members of our community.

We are Jews by birth and Jews by choice, multifaith households, people deciding whether to become Jewish, white Jews and Jews of color, and people with varying degrees of Jewish learning and experience.  We are two-parent and single-parent families, couples and individuals of all ages, and families formed by adoption and by birth.  We are multiracial families, individuals and couples of all sexual orientations and gender identities, people of varied education and socioeconomic backgrounds and levels, people with learning differences and people with disabilities.

We believe that:

• Every person is created in God’s image and has equal value and dignity.
• Our community is enriched by diversity in all its forms.
• We benefit individually and as a community when we recognize that every person’s identity is a complex mix and no one is defined by a single story.
• Our congregation must continue to welcome all who wish to join us.

We support opportunities for all members of our diverse community to participate in our worship, learning and social activities; contribute to our Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) efforts; and join our congregational leadership. 

Our continued commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging requires active learning, reflection and tolerance.  Personal and institutional transformations are required as we continue to learn how racial, social, and economic injustice remains prevalent in and outside of Jewish life.