WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has announced that it is launching the first-of-its-kind Jewish Organization Equality Index (JOEI) survey. Modeled after HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), JOEI is designed to measure LGBT inclusion in the programs and employment practices at Jewish non-profit organizations. JOEI is supported by a generous lead grant from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and supporting grants from The Morningstar Foundation, Stuart S. Kurlander – a leader in several non-profit Jewish and Jewish LGBT community organizations – and an anonymous donor.
“HRC’s work has transformed workplace policies in many of the nation’s major corporations, allowing LGBT employees to work productively and free of discrimination,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese, “The goal of this work is to inspire a new dialogue on LGBT diversity in the Jewish community. HRC will establish collaborative partnerships with participating organizations and act as a conduit to the wealth of existing resources within the LGBT Jewish community.”
“It is my hope that the Jewish Organization Equality Index will serve as a strong step toward strengthening the important Torah value of seeing all Jews as made in the image of God and deserving of the highest of human dignity and kavod, no matter their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background,” said Rabbi Hyim Shafner of the Bais Abraham Congregation in St. Louis, Mo.
The final JOEI report, due in the spring of 2012, will focus on accomplishments and highlight opportunities for improvement within organizations and the community as a whole.
