Being Our True Selves

By Allie Heiman, LGBTQ+ Affinity Group Co-Chair

Seeing yourself reflected in your community gives you the deep sense that you belong — that you’re not just tolerated but celebrated for who you are. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, being part of a group can sometimes feel isolating. We might have felt like we didn’t quite fit in, or that our identities didn’t have a place in the spaces we held dear. But at WHC, the creation of the LGBTQ+ group wasn’t just about adding another auxiliary — it was about making it clear that LGBTQ+ members are a vital part of the fabric of our community. It’s about showing that the core Jewish values of inclusion, love, and respect explicitly include us.

Over the past four years, our LGBTQ+ group has had the joy of sharing learning, spiritual, and social experiences with everyone at WHC, creating spaces where we don’t just exist but thrive. For example, exploring the themes of justice and freedom during a Passover event called “And Justice for All: Passover, Freedom, & the Jewish Imperative for LGBTQ+ Rights” highlighted how these values are not just historical ideals, but living, breathing imperatives that connect to our own work for equality today.

Our “Deep Dive: Gender, Sexuality, & Judaism” series encouraged thoughtful discussion about how Jewish texts and traditions can be interpreted to create more inclusive, welcoming spaces for all people, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. These events help remind us that justice and freedom are not just ideals to look back on but living principles that demand our action today. For many, it has been a chance to see how we fit within the larger narrative of both our faith and in the world.

But beyond these conversations, the heart of our work is in the moments where we come together as a community. Whether gathering in the sukkah for a Sukkot potluck, lighting the menorah and playing games together at Hanukkah, or sharing a Tu B’shevat seder, these shared experiences remind us that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves. The sense of belonging these moments create is powerful — no longer on the outside, but firmly part of the community’s heart.

And, of course, our annual Pride Shabbat celebration has become a beautiful symbol of how much progress we’ve made and how much more there is to come. It’s a chance to see our LGBTQ+ members, their stories, and honor the unique contributions they bring to our WHC family. WHC has truly become a home and safe place for so many members of our LGBTQ+ community to explore their Jewish identities and build community here in DC.

As we look ahead, we are reminded that inclusion isn’t just about having a seat at the table — it’s about creating a space where everyone feels like they belong, where we can show up as our true selves. The LGBTQ+ group at WHC is helping to break down the barriers that have kept so many of us on the outside for too long. Together, we’re building a community where connection, understanding, and love don’t just exist as ideals, but as lived experiences that we share, celebrate, and build upon together.

The best part? We’re just getting started, and there’s so much more joy, growth, and love waiting for all of us in the years ahead.

For more information about the LGBTQ+ group, visit whctemple.org/lgbtq or email lgbtq@whctemple.org.

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