Big Tent Judaism

Inclusive Changes in Philadelphia

The Jewish Exponent, the weekly Jewish newspaper of Philadelphia, recently announced an inclusive new policy change. The Jewish Publishing Group, which oversees the Jewish Exponent, “has voted unanimously to include notices of gay and lesbian unions in the publication’s life-cycles section.”

Lisa Hostein, the editor-in-chief, explained that the paper already includes birth, adoption and death notices for LGBT couples, so it’s only natural for the paper to include their unions as well. The policy change, along with the Exponent’s “extensive coverage” of LBGT Jewish communal issues this past year, is also a reflection upon evolving attitudes of society as a whole. The leadership at the Exponent is simply trying to be “as inclusive as possible” towards everyone they serve in the Jewish community.

At JOI, we mostly speak of physical spaces – synagogues or Jewish community centers for example – when talking about opening our doors. But the Exponent reminds us that the pages of a Jewish newspaper are just as important as points of entry. The paper, which also prints interfaith union announcements, has reaffirmed its “commitment to be a venue where all Jews – regardless of political, religious, or sexual orientation – fell welcome.” Just like our Big Tent Judaism Coalition, the Jewish Exponent believes all four sides of our communal tent, whether in person or on paper, should be open for all who approach.