LGBT-friendly siddur affirms Reform’s open-tent policy

New High Holidays prayer book released at annual convention includes new prayers, multiple viewpoints

By David A.M. Wilensky for The Times of Israel   

PHILADELPHIA (JTA) — The Reform movement’s rabbinic association unveiled its new High Holidays prayer book — one that continues the movement’s trend toward inclusive liturgy — at the group’s 126th annual convention.

Mishkan HaNefesh, the Reform’s first High Holidays prayer book, or mahzor, since 1978, was a major focus of the Central Conference of American Rabbis conference that concluded here Wednesday.

The prayer book features the voices of female writers and language more reflective of the LGBT experience. But the volume also signals a return to gendered language for God in Reform liturgy, including a version of the iconic High Holidays prayer Avinu Malkeinu that refers to God as both “Loving Father” and “Compassionate Mother.”

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