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R ainbow C onnection
Counselors form social group for sexual minority Jews
by N a d ia C an n o n
avid Molko and Laney Kibel knew { months ago with his partner of 28 years, Jerry
Freidman, believes a spirituality he never has
that sexual minority Jews in Portland
felt disconnected, but they didn’t experienced is in its nascence. He says he left
realize the extent of it when they organized religion when he first came out of the
closet “because 1 was handling my new lifestyle
decided to form Keshet, a social
on my own. I was hiding from G od.”
group for this segment of the queer community.
It all started in
m
May, when they
brought several peo
ple together for a
screening o f the
acclaimed documen
tary Trembling Before
G 'd .
T he
film
opened a gate, and
the two blazed right
through it.
One month later,
about 30 people came
to a dinner on a Fri
day night. The partic
ipants were amazed to
find a spiritual com
munity where they
didn’t have to hide
their sexuality. Many
left that night feeling
renewed and deter
mined to keep the David Molko and Laney Kibel have ambitious
Keshet
group going.
Streitfeld’s gratitude is jubilant. “1 am begin
Keshet, which is Hebrew for rainbow, has
ning to feel more a part of the world again. 1 feel
attracted an array of members ranging in age
more support. 1 feel like I belong, I have a voice.
from 18 to 70 and in religious fervor from lax
“cultural” Jews to Orthodox. The less tradition Once more, I am a participant in life, not mere
al Jews have found a spirituality they were miss ly a spectator.”
Caplan is more observant than many other
ing, while Orthodox Jews finally have located a
Keshet members. She belongs to a Modem
community that can accept them both as gay
Orthodox religious group, where she says her
and Jewish.
A total of 23 people gathered at the home of sexuality isn’t an issue. “I have many Orthodox
friends who just don’t really care, or pretend that
Paul Davis, a Love Makes a Family intern, for the
it doesn’t matter in my presence.”
second meeting of the group June 30. The
For Caplan, Judaism is a more central part of
evening began with a drash, or short commentary
her identity than her lesbianism. But for other
about the Torah. Liz Caplan offered her words:
Orthodox members of Keshet, their observance
“A project like ours will help others to come.”
A theme throughout the meeting was that of proves thorny.
The Torah, the guiding book in Judaism, has
choice. Many previously had been forced to
a passage that can be interpreted to prohibit
decide between their identities: gay or Jewish.
homosexuality. But Rabbi Gary Schoenberg of
Keshet helps them avoid the choice altogether.
P’nai Or says it must be viewed in context:
Kibel and Molko— who work with adults,
“Judaism is a religion that holds the celebration
adolescents, couples and groups as counselors
at Jewish Family &. Child Service— are expe and value of life at its center...anyone who
riencing a spiritual renaissance as a result of forces G LB T people into the closet runs the risk
of being complicitous in death.”
the social group. Both have been somewhat
Keshet will celebrate Sukkot, a September
distant from religion in their adult lives and
harvest
festival, by building a Sukkah, a small
are thrilled to be participating in a Jewish
tent made of wood, branches and decorations.
community again.
Although
it will be a new experience for Molko
Molko has felt since he was young that it
and Kibel, the theme of rebuilding is a common
“was not cool to be gay in a Jewish context.”
Although Kibel herself did not suffer because of one, and both are accustomed to the struggle.
Kibel is ambitious about Keshet’s future; she
her Judaism, she noted that the convergence of
has visions of using the Internet to create a
the two is a “double whammy” for many.
Ira Streitfeld, who moved to Portland 10 resource hub for sexual minority Jews. She and
Molko already are looking ahead to Passover
next spring.
Their personal and professional goals are
'hese are some o f the congregations and spir-
itual organizations that openly support sex- j clear: Keep reaching out to include people who
have felt alone in the past, Keshet is indeed
ual minority Jews:
becoming a queer family. JH1
• Reconstructionist: Havurah Shalom.
• Reform: Beth Israel.
KESHET’S next Shabbat dinner will be held
• Conservative: Nevah Shalom.
6:30 p.m. Aug. 16. For location call David
• Traditional: Shaarie Torah.
• Gesher: This Jewish outreach program is Molko at 503-226-7079, ext. 14.
dedicated to serving those who are not part of
intern N a d ia CANNON will enter her junior year
other congregations. P’nai Or also welcomes
this
fall at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
sexual minority Jews.
E-mail her at nadia@justout.com.
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