SVARA is a home for queer and radical Torah, and we are committed to building a culture where we are all students and teachers to each other. We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, where a myriad of voices and perspectives are welcome. We believe that words create worlds, and we commit to thoughtful speech with integrity. We invite you to play an active role in manifesting this commitment by:
holding a posture of curiosity when encountering something new or uncomfortable
listening to understand rather than listening to respond
using a “yes, and” framework to add to conversation & learning
noticing when you’re talking more than others and thoughtfully choosing where you might offer your voice (take space / make space)
showing respect for the person sharing while challenging the idea being shared
striving not to deliberately or inadvertently undermine, disrespect, or dehumanize another person’s identity or experience
reaching out to a staff member when in need of resources about unfamiliar identities and experiences
