Celebrating 50 Years of Bet Mishpachah: D.C.'s LGBTQ Synagogue

As Bet Mishpachah, the LGBTQ synagogue in Washington D.C., prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary on October 25, members and leaders have been reflecting on its meaningful impact over the decades. The anniversary celebration, set to take place at the Washington Hebrew Congregation’s hall, will honor Bet Mishpachah for its pivotal role as a "beacon of love, acceptance, and spiritual connection for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies" in the area and beyond.

Bet Mishpachah was founded by a small group of visionaries and rapidly expanded into a vibrant community supporting hundreds of individuals and families. From humble beginnings in living rooms to establishing a permanent home, the congregation remains dedicated to providing a spiritual sanctuary for all who seek it.

A Legacy of Acceptance and Growth

Throughout five decades, Bet Mishpachah has witnessed significant changes in Jewish life and LGBTQ+ rights. The community takes pride in contributing to these advancements. Joshua Maxey, the current executive director, notes that the synagogue now has about 190 members and regularly holds Shabbat services at the Edlavitch D.C. Jewish Community Center.

Joel Martin, a founding member and long-time advocate, recalls first discovering the gay Jewish group through an ad in a local gay newspaper in the early 1970s. The ad called Jewish gays in the Greater Washington-Baltimore area to unite and create social connections while raising awareness of their issues within the broader Jewish community.

Overcoming Early Challenges

Martin and other founding members began meeting in private homes before deciding on the name Bet Mishpachah, meaning "house of family" in Hebrew. Despite initial resistance from some Jewish institutions, the group persisted, eventually finding a welcoming space at D.C.’s First Congregational Church, which also hosted the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, another LGBTQ religious community.

By 1976, services were held at the First Congregational Church, later moving to Christ United Methodist Church in 1978, then to National City Christian Church in 1992, and finally to their current location in 1997. Today, Bet Mishpachah is celebrated in exhibitions at the Capital Jewish Museum, highlighting its significant contributions to both Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities.

Voices of the Community

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Bet Mishpachah will distribute a booklet featuring testimonials from long-time members. Rabbi Bob Saks, the first rabbi, and Rabbi Jake Singer-Beili, the current rabbi, offer insights into the synagogue’s founding principles: embracing one’s identity within a supportive Jewish space.

Rabbi Singer-Beili emphasizes the importance of celebrating love and individual expression, remarking, "We proclaimed that we will celebrate these things as Jews and people who love Jews, in a dedicated Jewish space where everyone belongs."

Joseph Pomper, the synagogue’s current president, shares how Bet Mishpachah helped him reconcile being both LGBTQ+ and Jewish. Having discovered the synagogue through an ad in the early 1980s, Pomper quickly became involved and found a lasting community that remains a source of close friendships.

Facing Trials and Triumphs

Longtime member Stuart Sotsky recalls the challenges Bet Mishpachah faced during its early years. With major denominations viewing homosexuality as unacceptable, the group struggled to find acceptance and support within traditional Jewish institutions.

Despite these hurdles, Bet Mishpachah fostered significant ties within the wider Jewish community to advocate for LGBTQ rights. During the AIDS epidemic, the community provided comfort and support, drawing parallels to the perseverance of the Jewish people wandering in the desert.

Through these trials, Bet Mishpachah was strengthened and inspired toward activism in both the gay rights and women’s liberation movements. Members were encouraged to come out and engage in social and political activism.

Honoring Visionary Leaders

The upcoming gala will honor visionary leaders, including Rabbi Emeritus Bob Saks and LGBTQ rights attorney Evan Wolfson, renowned for his work in the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage. As the congregation celebrates its past, it also looks to the future, continuing its mission of inclusivity, spiritual connection, and advocacy.

As Bet Mishpachah marks this milestone, it remains a testament to the enduring power of community and acceptance, offering a beacon of hope and belonging for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies.