By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
“We are in a different time of being gay and lesbian Jews,” says Flora Ostrow, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah president.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender congregations around the country, including Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, have been struggling with questions of identity.
“Each of these congregations has realized…that with the changing climate for GLBT Jews and the unique character of our congregations, the time is ripe for true and full thought about the future,” wrote Rabbi Rachel Rembrandt in the newsletter of CTC’s sister congregation, Chevrei Tikva in Cleveland.
Times have changed dramatically for Jewish GLBTs over the past 10 years. Ostrow says she remembers how when she “came out” in her 20s, the notion of gay rabbis did not exist. Now, in Seattle, they are highly visible. Both gay and straight rabbis alike have performed ceremonies for same-sex couples.
“Our fight is not over for civil rights, but certainly there’s been a huge change,” says Ostrow. “These changes have been very significant to us.”
There have been major changes in society and culture that have encouraged “out” Jews to join a synagogue. Many CTC members have joined other synagogues around the Puget Sound region that have embraced gay and lesbian members. For members of CTC, therefore, there is less of a need for a formalized GLBT congregation, says Ostrow. That assertion is borne out by the membership numbers: at one time, CTC had 100 members. Now it has about 25.
“I think it’s been an evolution over time,” says Ostrow, a member of CTC for almost 20 years.
Some members, however, feel it is important that there is still a place that GLBT Jews are in the majority. As a result, with all of the political, social and cultural changes happening around the country, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah has decided to return to its roots as a havurah. Its considerably scaled-back presence will become more casual and participatory, and the board has sketched out a tentative schedule of services and a Second Friday Shabbat that will take place at members’ homes over the next six months. CTC will also continue to have a Web and e-mail presence.
“The board is still working out the details of this change, but eventually, those who continue membership by paying their dues, will receive a siddur and machzorim of their own, will be part of the e-list and will be involved in future community events such as Gay Pride and Passover,” says Ostrow. “I am very excited about this transformation, and hope that all of our current members will join us on this new path.”
CTC’s havurah format is an experiment. The congregation will be asking for feedback from members and people in the community about the change.
“I think we have great spirit,” says Ostrow. “We like each other, so there’s a family feeling.”
For more information about Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, contact 206-355-1414 or [email protected], or visit www.geocities.com/tikvahchadashah/index.html.