Souls of Our Students Launches Today by Dr. Laura Bernstein

Reform Judaism and my personal belief structure is guided by the basic tenet that all of us are created in the divine image (b’tselem Elohim).

Temple Beth El has a strong history of working for the full inclusion and civil rights of our LGBT community, and I’m pleased to share our efforts continue today with the launch of the newest addition to the award-winning “Souls” series of documentary films with a screening at the Knight Theater.

Temple Beth El, along with North Carolina Healthy Schools and MeckMin, have produced this documentary addendum to the 2008 Souls of Our Students which focused on diversity in our schools across issues of race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. This new addendum adds the personal stories of three transgender students from our community along with the perspectives of a parent and two teachers.

Rabbi Judy Schindler was instrumental in leading our efforts and the generous contribution of our Keshet Committee made a significant difference in moving this project forward. Myers Park Baptist Church, Community Building Initiative, and the Freedom Center for Social Justice were among the many other funders.

This is the fourth “Souls” educational documentary that Temple Beth El has been a partner in producing. Souls of Our Teachers, produced in 2010, shares stories of urban teachers to inspire the community to support public education in Charlotte and beyond. And our 2012 Souls of our Neighbors educates the Charlotte community on the value of creating affordable housing with supportive services in a diversity of locations around our city. All three documentaries earned Telly Awards and we are hopeful this fourth documentary will be receive accolades, as well.

Each documentary is making a difference in the lives our Charlotte-Mecklenberg students and citizens and in communities across our country.

See today’s Charlotte Observer for more information about the newest addition.

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