Who advocates for the minority within a minority? According to a press release posted to their Web site on November 21, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lobbyist organization in the United States – is launching the Jewish Organization Equality Index (JOEI) survey. The purpose of this study is to analyze and rank Jewish non-profit organizations on their “policies, practices, and programs” that support the LGBT community. The survey is modeled on two similar projects: the Corporate Equality Index and the Healthcare Equality Index. The former was launched in 2002, releasing annual reports on the employment practices of major American corporations – including hiring practices, employee benefits, corporate culture, and pro-equality engagement in the public sphere. The latter was created in 2007 to assess healthcare facilities on similar criteria, with particular attention paid to the quality of care and support given to LGBT patients.
The JOEI was conceived in January 2011. Over the past ten months an HRC project manager has consulted a number of people within the Jewish community – including organization executives, lay leaders, and clergy – to form the criteria for rating Jewish non-profit organizations. According to the project description, the JOEI finds its inspiration in explicitly Jewish values, such as the idea that every human is created b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of G-d – and kavod habriyot, that all people merit our respect. This includes an assessment of employment practices by Jewish non-profit organizations (whether they give the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex spouses, for example), in addition to their “cultural competency” in providing services for the LGBT community – from the inclusivity of their language to the public persona they adopt when approaching the wider Jewish community. To receive a high rating, it is important that a non-profit organization not only tolerate their LGBT constituents, but be open and affirming in their support.
The JOEI is funded by a lead grant from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation – a charitable organization that supports the growth of vibrant and inclusive Jewish communities – and supporting grants from the Morningstar Foundation – a private family foundation based in Washington, D.C. Stuart Kurlander, the current president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, has also pledged money to the project. The advisory board includes several prominent members of the Jewish community – ranging from scholars such as Professor Joy Ladin of the Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University – who stepped into the national spotlight when she transitioned one year after receiving tenure – to non-profit leaders like Idit Klein, the executive director of the Jewish LGBT organization Keshet. Several clergy are also on board, including Rabbi Hyim Shafner of Bais Abraham Congregation and Rabbi Camille Shira Angel of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav.
“For many of us, it’s the first invitation that we’ve had to think about the question of how we treat gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender emmbers of our communities,” explains Professor Joy Ladin in a video posted on the JOEI Web site. “It’s not only inviting us to reflect on that, but it’s giving us tools for reflecting on that.” She continues, stating that the JOEI is a communal cheshbon hanefesh – an inventory of our soul – to ask the hard questions concerning our acceptance and affirmation of those who are a minority within a minority. The HRC believes that there is a slight overrepresentation of LGBT individuals within the Jewish community, comprising up to 7% of Jews in the United States. Considering that we make up less than 1% of the global population, it is becoming increasingly important to affirm all members of world Jewry. Hopefully, the JOEI will serve as a helpful barometer for gauging our progress toward the acceptance of klal Yisrael – all of Israel.
Steven Philp is a graduate student at the University of Chicago, studying for a Master of Divinity in Jewish Studies and a Master of Social Work. When not in the classroom he works for spiritual life, promoting dialogue and cooperation between different student-run faith-based organizations. Steven also volunteers with Mishkan, a progressive, spirited Jewish community in Chicago. His column, Klal Yisrael, usually appears here on alternating Sundays.
