Omaha’s Jewish community is proud to continue the tradition of marching in solidarity with our Jewish and general LGBTQIA+ community on Saturday, July 18. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO), our annual participation reflects a deep, ongoing commitment to inclusion, allyship, and building bridges across our diverse community.
At the JCRC and across our Jewish community, we are guided by a core Jewish value: b’tzelem Elohim (Hebrew: בצלם אלוהים), the belief that every person is created in the image of God. Rooted in Genesis, this teaching affirms that every human being possesses inherent and equal dignity. It calls us to recognize the worth of every individual, regardless of race, gender, background, identity, or social status, and to ensure that everyone is seen, heard, celebrated, and loved exactly as they are.
In Jewish tradition, a chuppah is a wedding canopy that symbolizes home and welcome used in marriage ceremonies. At Pride, it becomes a moving symbol of inclusion and belonging, showing that LGBTQ+ Jews and their families are a proud, celebrated part of the community.
Israel is a leader in LGBTQ+ rights in Asia and the Middle East, offering legal protections and hosting some of the region’s largest Pride celebrations. Laws protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in work and public life, and individuals are allowed to serve openly in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). While religious authorities do not perform same-sex marriages, Israel recognizes those performed abroad and grants couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. The state also recognizes unregistered cohabitation.
Celebrate Pride with us and honor LGBTQ+ communities in Israel and around the world!
For more information, check out The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Omaha is dedicated to working in common cause to enhance cooperation with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic and pluralistic society as well as promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere. Guided by Jewish values, the JCRC is a nonpartisan agency that advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and the greater community. That work requires fostering and strengthening relationships across groups from different communities as well as our own, and often, communities with different beliefs, perspectives, and priorities.
Keshet works to ensure full equality, justice, and dignity for LGBTQ+ Jews and their families. It strengthens Jewish communities, helps organizations be more inclusive, supports queer Jewish youth, and advances LGBTQ+ rights nationwide.
Did you know Keshet (קֶשֶׁת) is a Hebrew word for rainbow?
