Dear all,
During this month of PRIDE, I reflect on the resistance, resilience, and responsibility necessary to serve as a gay congregational rabbi, to have married the man I love, and to be raising two extraordinary children.
Resistance: Because the river often flowed in the opposite direction, and I had to swim upstream many times.
Resilience: Because whenever that river took me downstream – I had to work harder to achieve my goals.
Responsibility: Because it wasn’t only about the rights to do what I love, but about the responsibilities that come with it as well.
Yes, Pride is about being who we are. It’s also about realizing that we didn’t arrive at this moment in time in a vacuum. Finally – it’s about understanding that there are still those fighting the currents that are drowning their souls.
Let’s be the affirming community that embraces the future with goodness!
With love and shalom.
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
