Jewish community organizations gather to sign UNITY Pledge

Groups come together in support of a ‘fully inclusive’ Arizona

Jewish community organizations gathered in February at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale to lend their signatures to the UNITY Pledge, a concerted effort by businesses, organizations and individuals who support equal treatment and inclusive non-discrimination policies in employment, housing, and public accommodations for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.

According to Richard Kasper, chief executive officer of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, Judaism and social justice are inseparable.

“The Torah literally tells us ‘justice, justice, you shall pursue.’ A well-known concept in the American Jewish community is ‘Tikkun Olam, to repair of the world,” said Kasper. “This is the idea that Jews are called upon to make the world more just, peaceful, tolerant, and equal, through acts of charity, kindness, and political action. Signing this UNITY Pledge is one such action.”  

Currently, Arizona does not have a fully inclusive non-discrimination law, leaving LGBTQ+ individuals and their families vulnerable to discrimination throughout much of the state. In total, only 11 Arizona municipalities have LGBTQ+ inclusive non-discrimination laws, creating a patchwork environment of laws that is not only bad for individuals and their families, but for business as well, according to a press release.

Representatives from organizations located on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, including the CJP, were joined by board members and staff from BBYO, Bureau of Jewish Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Minkoff Center for Jewish Genetics, Jewish Tuition Organization, Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Free Loan and Gesher Disability Resources.

“Each day, the Jewish community strives to create communities where all people can experience Jewish life and Jewish community, to be embraced, supported and celebrated,” said Rachel Hoffer, board chair of the CJP. “I am proud to join with colleagues and board members from these Jewish organizations as we collectively sign the UNITY Pledge that publicly declares that all are welcome.”

Kasper added that the gathering on Feb. 21 is the first step to bringing together the greater Phoenix Jewish community.

“Our ‘Open for Worship’ coalition has continued to grow, and we were so honored to be with these Jewish leaders to celebrate equality and continue the conversation of how we advance culture and policies to ensure we celebrate, respect and protect all who live and work in our great state,” said Angela Hughey, president of ONE Community.

To date, more than 3,500 businesses, 500 faith leaders and 20,000 Arizonans have taken the UNITY Pledge in support of equality and non-discrimination, which is now the largest equality pledge in the nation.