Every June, I look forward to Pride — not just for the parades, the music, and the rainbow flags, but because it’s a sacred reminder: we’re still here. Still resisting. Still loving. Still building a world where everyone can live as their full, authentic selves.

Pride has always felt like home. It was the first space I felt I could embrace my whole self. It’s where I get to bring all of who I am — Jewish and queer — without having to choose between those identities. But this year, that sense of belonging feels more uncertain.

Since Oct. 7, we’ve seen a sharp rise in antisemitism — across the country, around the world, and right here in Greater Boston. And I’ve heard from Jewish queer friends, congregants, and colleagues who are asking whether it’s safe — or welcome — to show up at Pride this year.

Not because they fear people outside the movement, but because they’re unsure whether their full selves will be embraced within it.

These aren’t hypotheticals. In Chicago, the Dyke March explicitly excluded participants carrying rainbow flags with Jewish stars. In Washington D.C., Jewish groups have been told their presence at Pride events is unwelcome unless they publicly denounce Israel. In Philadelphia, organizers disinvited an LGBTQ Jewish organization due to its stance on Israel. In San Francisco, Jewish Pride participants have faced harassment for carrying symbols like the Star of David. And just days ago, two Israeli embassy staff members were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, after attending an event promoting peace and humanitarian diplomacy. This horrific attack underscores the vulnerability Jewish communities continue to face as antisemitism rises nationwide.

I’ve heard the questions: Will I be welcome if I wear a Star of David? Will I have to hide my connection to Israel? Will I be judged or excluded simply for being Jewish?

At Temple Israel of Boston, we embrace the Jewish value of “makhloket l’shem sh’mayim,” or “disagreement for the sake of heaven.” This means we hold a wide range of views about all Jewish topics, including Israel and the war in Gaza. And we work hard to stay in relationship across those differences. That’s what true community means: making space for nuance, for disagreement, and for one another.

That same spirit belongs at Boston Pride.

The power of Pride has always been its radical inclusivity — its insistence that queer people of every race, background, gender, faith, and politics deserve to be seen, heard, and loved. That must include Jewish LGBTQ+ people in all our diversity.

We’re brought together by a shared longing to live fully and freely — without having to hide or shrink part of who we are — not by any particular partisan perspective.

To be clear: Criticism of Israeli policy is fair, and often necessary. But when Jewish LGBTQ+ people feel pressure to disavow their Zionist identity or suppress their grief in order to be accepted, that’s a problem. That’s not justice — it’s erasure.

This year, I’m partnering with A Wider Bridge, an organization working to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in Jewish life — and Jewish inclusion in LGBTQ+ spaces. Together, we’re working with Pride organizers here in Boston to ensure that queer Jewish voices are welcomed — not despite our identities, but because of them.

To the organizers of Boston Pride: thank you. Your leadership makes this celebration possible. As you prepare for this year’s events, I hope you’ll continue listening to Jewish LGBTQ+ voices and making space for all of who we are.

To LGBTQ+ allies: let’s keep building a movement rooted in true solidarity. That means standing up to antisemitism in all its forms — even when it’s subtle, even when it’s uncomfortable.

And to every queer Jew wondering if you still belong at Pride: You do. You are exactly who you’re meant to be. Show up. Wear your symbols of pride, both Jewish and queer. Boston’s LGBTQ+ community is stronger because you’re in it.

I’ll be at Boston Pride this year — marching not just for myself, but for everyone who’s ever been told they’re too Jewish, too queer, too political, or too loud. Because this is our movement, too. And we deserve to be in it — fully and joyfully.

Andrew Oberstein is rabbi at Temple Israel of Boston, the largest congregation in Boston.

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Discover how CJP Pride is fostering connection and empowerment for LGBTQIA+ Jews in Greater Boston—because everyone deserves a space to belong.

By Kara Baskin for CJP Young Adults and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)
Published on jewishboston.com on January 13
Featuring Rabbi Andrew Oberstein, who is quoted in the article

For so many, CJP’s programs are a haven propelled by community: for families, parents, the elderly, interfaith couples and so many more. Boston’s Jewish LGBTQIA+ community is central to this outreach: Now in its second year, CJP Pride offers belonging, connection and camaraderie. The initiative began in April 2023, when CJP led a subsidized, community-wide trip to Israel, aptly named “Spark.” Roughly 300 people joined the immersive, intergenerational travel experience.

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BOSTON (WHDH) – The Pine Street Inn served up hundreds of meals for its guests on Christmas Eve. Archbishop Henning, Pastor Solomon, Rabbi Slipakoff, and Pine Street President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie were on hand for the celebration. Ripples of Hope, a local choral group, performed as part of the Christmas Eve/Hanukkah celebration.

In addition to those at Pine Street’s headquarters in the South End and other shelter locations, Pine Street’s 39 permanent housing locations will celebrate the holiday with tenants. For some, this is the first holiday in many years that they have spent in a home. Pine Street’s outreach teams will also deliver meals to individuals on the streets.

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Brookline’s Jewish community just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and now, is preparing to mark Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. But sandwiched between those two holy days is the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, making it a challenging time for the spiritual leaders in the community…

Article includes Rabbi Suzie Jacobson’s full Rosh Hashanah sermon.

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BOSTON — As the Jewish community gathers Wednesday night for the start of their high holidays, many can’t stop thinking about the latest attacks on Israelis in the Middle East….

That’s why many synagogues have increased security Wednesday, like Temple Israel in Boston. “We treat community safety with the utmost importance here, we want to make sure everyone who steps through our doors feels both safe and welcome,” said Rabbi Dan Slipakoff of Temple Israel…

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BOSTON – Tuesday’s airstrike in Israel put Jews across the globe on heightened alert including those right here in Greater Boston.

Rabbi Elaine Zecher leads the congregations at Temple Israel of Boston. Rabbi Zecher has family in Israel and called them in the time between when the missiles were fired, and the Iron Dome activated.

“I let them know I am thinking of them,” Zecher said. “That I am praying for their safety and making sure they are secure. There was that moment when you know the missiles are coming, but you don’t know what is going to happen. So, there is great uncertainty and there has been so much uncertainty this year, and so much of that has been unpredictable and everyone’s heart really aches.”

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By Cantor Alicia Stillman
Published in Shalom Magazine, Fall 2024 issue

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Published on May 2 in Jewishboston.org

Standing With Students: 1,500 Gather in Powerful Show of Support Against Antisemitism

More than 1,500 people gathered outside Temple Israel of Boston on April 28 to support Jewish students and state, loudly and proudly, that we will not tolerate antisemitism on our campuses or anywhere else.

View the full rally.

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