Bet Mishpachah is a congregation for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community.
Bet Mishpachah is a congregation for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews and all who wish to participate in an inclusive, egalitarian, and mutually supportive community. Founded in 1975, the congregation now has over 175 members. They meet for weekly Shabbat services, educational events, social action/social justice community service, and holidays. Membership is comprised of singles, couples, and families, and is open to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity. While there is a part-time rabbi, Rabbi Laurie Green (effective July 1, 2013) who leads approximately half the weekly services, Bet Mishpachah has always been a lay-led congregation. Thus you will find that Erev Shabbat services vary depending on the service leader(s). One night, you may hear more Sephardic melodies - more traditional European songs another; the blessings read from the bimah one week differ from poems you may learn the next week. Bet Mishpachah is a founding member Keshet Ga’avah - the World Congress of GLBTQ Jews, and the Celebration of the Spirit Coalition; members of the Network of Independent Jewish Communities & Havurot; the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington; and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
Shabbat Services:
Our services are participatory, inviting, and personal, and use gender-neutral and inclusive language. Service leading rotates between our rabbi and our talented lay leaders. Erev Shabbat services begin at 8:00 pm each Friday and Shabbat morning services begin at 10:00 am on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Shabbat services are held at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 16th & Q Streets, N.W. Use the Q Street entrance. The DCJCC is located four blocks east of the Dupont Circle Red Line Metrorail station, and is also served by the north-south "S" line Metrobus routes running on 16th Street, and is one block from the stop for the east-west G2 Metrobus at 16th & P.
