The South London Liberal Synagogue (SLLS) held a meaningful and musical Pride Shabbat service, put together by members of the community.

Led by Rabbi Nathan Godleman and a number of the congregation’s lay leaders (pictured above), the service featured poetry, prayer and some traditional Jewish liturgy set to new tunes, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

A powerful sermon was delivered by SLLS member Fabri. He told how, as a gay man, it took him a long time to find acceptance in the Jewish community, until he discovered SLLS.

Fabri, accompanied by his husband and their two children, said: “We’re here for Pride Shabbat, a moment to celebrate LGBTQI+ people in Jewish life. For many of us, the idea we are holy isn’t something we were always taught. Some of us were told we didn’t belong. Some were asked to hide, and some still are.”

He added: “To all queer Jews and to anyone who has ever wondered: is there a place for me here? Let me say clearly… yes! A community where each person feels safe, seen and loved – that’s not just good policy, that’s Torah.”

After the service, a celebratory vegetarian chavurah supper was held (pictured below).

During the dinner, Rabbi Nathan’s wife Linda gave a talk on her pioneering work in the field of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s and her current role as a medical ethics chair.

Progressive Judaism’s Head of Comms, Simon Rothstein, was a welcome guest at the service. He said: “This was a truly special and unique evening – moving, inspiring, educational and lots of fun. It really showed everything that is wonderful about our Judaism in action.”