Beyond the Bema

It’s Pride Month, and every year I wear a shirt that says, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” It features a rainbow and captures what I believe Pride is truly about: acceptance. You don’t have to agree with me—just choose kindness.

In Judaism, the concept of chesed—often translated as “loving-kindness”—goes far beyond simple niceness. It also conveys mercy, steadfast love, compassion, and empathy. Chesed isn’t just about doing good; it’s about showing up for others with generosity, understanding, and a full heart. It’s a core Jewish value, one that calls us to build a more just and compassionate world.

Compassion and empathy are at the heart of chesed. It means recognizing the pain of others, especially those in need, and responding with sincerity. It also implies generosity—giving of your time, resources, or emotional support without expecting anything in return. Acts of chesed can include feeding the hungry, comforting mourners, visiting the sick, or offering shelter. But more than individual gestures, chesed is about creating a community where everyone, especially the vulnerable or marginalized, feels cared for and supported.

So how can we embody chesed in the context of the LGBTQA+ community?

1. Donate to charities that support suicide prevention and mental health services for LGBTQA+ youth.
2. Offer food and resources to unhoused LGBTQA+ teens with genuine care and compassion.
3. I participate in a suicide awareness walk every year, and each time, I witness a heartbreaking number of people walking in memory of loved ones lost due to the societal pressure of being LGBTQA+—-show up for them.
4. Be a source of comfort and support to those grieving or struggling—show up and listen.
5. Advocate for safe and secure housing for LGBTQA+ youth, whose homelessness rates are alarmingly high.
6. Educate others—le dor v’dor (from generation to generation)—on the meaning of chesed. This includes sharing Jewish teachings that inspire purpose and hope. While Judaism does not seek converts, if someone feels drawn to the faith, we are called to offer guidance and support with compassion and integrity.

Chesed is essential because the Torah and other Jewish texts repeatedly highlight G!d’s acts of kindness—teaching us that by being kind, we reflect the divine. In Judaism, caring for one another isn’t optional; it’s foundational. A life rooted in chesed builds a stronger, more compassionate community and invites justice and personal growth into the world.

Ultimately, chesed is more than being nice—it’s a profound call to live with empathy, to uplift the suffering, and to help build a better world, one act of kindness at a time.