"It is a place where people from the LGBT community will feel, I hope, very much at home, very much welcomed and very much a part of things," explained Chava Bahle ( pictured ) , rabbi of Makom Shalom synagogue.
"We try to be very thoughtful, even in prayers, to make sure our language is very inclusive of straight folks, LGBT folks and intercultural folks."
Makom Shalom, which began in 1991, is not an average synagogue. There are very few which so openly accept everyone, from interfaith couples to every color of the LGBT spectrum.
"We've got a nice, broad range of people," explained Bahle.
Each sermon begins with the following from the rabbi: "Whatever the faiths you have known, or the flags of your heritage, you are welcome here. Whoever you are, whatever the circumstances of your life, and whomever you love, you are welcome here. And, whether you ran in here on little feet today, or walked in briskly, or ambled, or rolled in, you are welcome here. Whether you agree or disagree, have doubts or certainties, lean left or right or like the middle, you are welcome here."
They do not have their own permanent home, going from Epiphany UCC ( United Church of Christ ) for regular service and Grace Place on South Dearborn for special events. This does not damper their spirit.
"We hope to cultivate within the synagogue, we hope that people that will take those qualities out into the world … not just leave them within the synagogue where everyone is nice," explained Bahle.
As the two largest Jewish holidays approach and the Jewish population goes to worship, most congregations utilize this time for fundraising- much like how Christmas mass for the Catholic church is an excellent opportunity to pass around the collection plate.
" [ The ] theme that I'm using for the High Holidays is really about practicing a deep level of self-accepting… about meeting ourselves for who we are. These might be something that feels very welcoming to the LGBT community as well."
While it is an excellent time to raise funds, Makom Shalom is welcoming everyone from the community with open arms, for free.
"Most synagogues charge a set fee, though they'll always adjust it for anyone in need," Bahle said. "We really want whoever wants to be there to have access. It's to open the doors to whoever would like to be with us, in a dignified and accessible way. I don't think anybody else in the Chicago is doing this exact plan. I only know of a very few in the country that would do something like this."
Bahle explains her group's radical idea, "We're having great faith that those people who are able will do what they can. What really inspired us to do this were two things, the economy right now, and that now more than ever is that people really need inspiration, and peace and calmness and hope and inspiration. We wanted to address the situation of right now- of what's going on in people's lives. It looks like so far we're having quite a nice response to the wider community. It looks like we're having quite a few more people joining us. We're really very excited. "
The group was started by Rabbi Allen Secher who had a vision to create a synagogue where everyone was welcome, Bahle said. Rabi Bahle started four years ago and flies in from Northern Michigan, for services and other church events.
Makom Shalom is part of the Olive alliance for Jewish Renewal. Jewish renewal is a perspective within Judaism that tries to offer a joyful, creative, deeply spiritual and relevant approach to Judaism. "We try to create meaningful learning that is rooted in torah and tradition- combined with a modern consciousness," said Bahle.
The church meets at Epiphany UCC, 2008 W. Bradley, for its weekly service, and has special events at Grace Place.
Rosh Hashanah will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m. at Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn, followed by Tashlich, at the lake. The second High Holiday event is Yom Kippur, observed on Sept. 27 and 28. They will meet at 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 and 10 a.m.-6:45 p.m. on Sept. 28. Makom Shalom also collects canned goods during the High Holiday for donation to those in need. [ Note: The synagogue's events have been sold out. ]
