Trip to LA

A trip to LA……June 30, 2015

  Last weekend I went to Los Angeles.  That is a trip I do not take lightly.  It must be something special for me to sit in a car (with friends) for at least two hours and watch and wait with the traffic.  The traffic can always be an un-chartered obstacle.  Last Sunday morning it was not bad it took us two hours to manipulate the two-hour drive.  We enjoyed chatting, my friend who was the driver was not a close friend, but the drive brought us closer and we became friends in a truer sense.

   Our errand was, at first glance, simple.  We were going to the Awards Brunch of a synagogue, an annual occasion.  The synagogue is special to me. My husband was the inspiration and the motivator that established the place of worship in 1972.  Beth Chayim Hadashim, House of New Life, was established because the gay Jews in Los Angeles wanted to have a place to worship that belonged to them.  Previously the Metropolitan Church in Los Angeles opened its doors and welcomed the group, enabled them to share the church.  As the community grew, there was a need, finally expressed, to have a “place of their own” in which to worship.

   My husband’s job for the Union for Reform Judaism (UAHC at the time) included encouraging and enabling new congregations.  When this special group of Jews applied to him (and his associate) for help, they were eager to do so, even I helped when I could, I never missed accompanying him to a service.  I learned quickly that this was the friendliest, warmest group I had encountered in our journey to support new congregations.

   I frequently tell the story of our first meeting with the congregation.  My husband was scheduled to lead the Sabbath Service while the group was still worshipping in the Metropolitan Church.  As we parked our car and approached the church, the congregation exited the building in a body and came down the tall steps of the church to meet us – more than halfway.  That had never happened before. Usually when we met with a forming congregation, we entered the building and blindly searched for people, for a place to worship, for the niche where we belonged.  This welcome committee of the whole astonished and seduced us immediately.

   I have always felt that the special nature of LGBT communities has to do with the fact that they understand rejection thoroughly; they have experienced it.  Therefore, they will not, do not reject: they welcome and accept as no other group that I have encountered; their arms and hearts are open.

   Since that first day we have shared many happy occasions and watched with pride the growth and development of this special synagogue.  They have established a Herman Humanitarian Award in our names, this year the award for special outreach and outstanding contribution to the LGBT and Jewish organizations, went to Jeffrey Tambor, an actor.  He said, “I am happy to support BCC and the work they do to provide a safe and welcoming place for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Jews and all who gather there.”

   It was a grand and glorious day.  Personally I had the opportunity to re-connect with many folks that I have not seen in a long time.  It was very satisfying to participate with a group of warm friends who once were family as well.  Life has improved for so many gay and Lesbian Jews, I am grateful to note.

   When it was time to leave, I wondered who would take me to the train, my driver was not returning to North County.  Rabbi Lisa Edwards said, “no way am I going to put you on a train, we will drive you home.” This is the same woman who had an appointment with my husband the day he died.  When I called and suggested she might not want to come, she asked, “May I come anyhow…?”  She did and she was so helpful to me, I will never forget her kindnesses that day.  And so, she and a friend drove me home last Sunday!  Kindness and selflessness is deeply ingrained in my friend Lisa.  She knows no other way – I am grateful.