Our Inclusive Community

In striving to be a sacred community (Kehillah Kedoshah), Temple Israel of Natick provides multiple entry points for the mind, spirit, and body. Through our partnership with the Ruderman Foundation Synagogue Inclusion Project, we have a broad vision of multiple gateways to address physical, learning, and gender-related, as well as spiritual and intellectual diversity.

We are open and inclusive to all. To you. People of all races, genders, physical or intellectual abilities, sexual orientations, religions, and prayer and observance levels are warmly embraced into our community.

We are a safe place of Jewish worship and community for the LGBTQIA+ community and are aligned with organizations such as Keshet. Our clergy perform same sex Jewish weddings on our bimah and in our community as well as conversions from all faiths to Judaism.

Along with members who themselves live in mixed households, many of our families have close relatives – including parents or children – who share a household with a non-Jewish partner. While exerting no pressure on non-Jewish members of our community, Temple Israel is particularly eager – ready and willing – to help intermarried couples raise Jewish children. Non-Jewish partners and family members are welcome to attend all services and programs at Temple Israel of Natick, with or without a Jewish partner. We are also glad to have many ways in which non-Jews can participate in our services.

We welcome the opportunity to work with families and individuals to create synagogue experiences that rise above any perceived limitations – to create a relevant, spiritual, and accessible Jewish life for you. We welcome the active involvement of all of our diverse members in worship, in the social life of the congregation, in community service, and in many aspects of Temple leadership. The Temple office will happily help you find the answer to any specific questions you may have about diversity and inclusion at Temple Israel of Natick.