Language Matters on Zoom

Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m.​

About Language Matters
Since 2019, the Keshet Committee has been working to ensure that all congregants and prospective members feel truly at home at Shaare Emeth. Because language really does matter, members of the Keshet Committee developed a training that shares best practices on LGBTQ+ language and personal pronoun usage.

Members of the Board of Directors, staff, clergy, religious school and preschool staff, camp counselors, and other groups within and outside the congregation have attended Language Matters presentations.

Learn how and why language really does matter.

Language Matters FAQs

What will I learn at Language Matters Training?
A: You’ll learn why it’s important to use someone’s preferred pronouns, why pronouns matter, and why members of the LGBTQ+ community want you to use them.

Why attend Language Matters Training?
A: Respectful language is essential to creating a safe community. In order for all current and prospective members to feel they fully belong at Shaare Emeth, we need to speak to our loved ones in the way they want to be addressed.

Why does the Keshet Committee think using respectful language is so important?
A: Reform Judaism believes that all are created B’Tzelem Elohim (in G-d’s image). In order to truly include all people – as their true, authentic selves – so they can fully participate in communal worship, we must use preferred language for our LGBTQ+ members.

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