Temple Beth El's Keshet (rainbow) Committee ensures our Congregation's committment to welcome and affirm those of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or questioning.  The Committee does this through education within our Congregation and advocacy in the larger community.

• Our Core Values:
• LGBTQ Jews are wholly legitimate members of the Jewish people, are equally legitimate members of civil society and have a unique and essential contribution to make to the life of Judaism and society.
• LGBTQ Jews worldwide can enjoy free and fulfilling lives.

Our goals are:

• Reach out to LGBTQ Jews in Southern Maine in order to build a stronger, more inclusive Jewish community.
• Focus on opening conversations, providing educational opportunities and raising awareness about the LGBTQ community.
• Advocate socially, publicly and spiritually around issues within the LGBTQ community.
• Dialogue, study, define and communicate about religious laws around LGBTQ issues.
• Define and communicate how our synagogue interprets halachic (religious laws) around marriage and divorce.
• Define and communicate how our synagogue ensures equal hiring opportunities for staff and clergy.
• Celebrate GLBTQ culture and spirituality through our programs.

Keshet Committee Members include: Fae Silverman (chair), Merril Abramson, Paul Heckler, Judy Wilson, and Rabbi Braun.  If you would like to become more involved in the work of this Committee, please contact Fae.