At Ahavath Achim Congregation in Wichita, Kansas, the path toward LGBTQIA+ inclusion is being walked with heart, humility, and intention. This small but mighty community of 70 households is proving that size is no barrier to meaningful transformation—and that progress doesn’t always require sweeping gestures, just steady steps and a willingness to listen, learn, and love.
“We weren’t originally egalitarian,” shared Cantor Paula Pepperstone, who joined the congregation in 2022. “In fact, we were Orthodox at our founding, over 115 years ago. But today, we are proudly Conservative/Masorti and evolving in ways that reflect who we want to be as a sacred community.”
That evolution includes becoming overtly welcoming to queer and trans individuals—efforts that have accelerated over the past two years. What began with a modest Pride Shabbat in 2023 has blossomed into an annual moment of celebration, education, and community building.
One of the most visible changes? Language. During Pride Shabbat, all congregants are invited to be called up for aliyot using gender-expansive Hebrew terms such as Na La’amod and Mi Beit, instead of the traditional masculine or feminine forms.
“Even if someone doesn’t notice the difference, it’s an invitation to awareness,” Cantor Pepperstone explains. “Sometimes, we don’t know something fits until we try it on.”
The congregation also introduced pronoun stickers, introduced the idea of signage welcoming all to use the restroom they feel most comfortable with, and curated inclusive liturgy and melodies such as a setting of Psalm 92 composed by queer Jewish artists puck glass and Shira Bodner.
“It’s not about making a splash,” she says. “It’s about creating space for reflection, for affirmation, and for sustained change.”
That spirit of reflection has also shaped their programming. It’s a reminder that inclusion is not a single-issue effort; it’s intersectional.
One particularly moving element this year: the synagogue’s rabbi, Andrew Pepperstone, will deliver a D’var Torah centered on sex and gender diversity and inclusion. Last year, a queer congregant gave the sermon.
“We want these messages to come from within the community,” Cantor Pepperstone says. “Because they are for the whole community.”
The journey has been organic and wholly embraced.
“There’s been only a positive response,” she notes. “It’s about education, yes…but it’s also about visibility. About saying clearly: ‘You are welcome here.’”
Cantor Pepperstone knows firsthand how powerful that message can be. Two of her three children identify as queer, and she brings both personal commitment and communal leadership to her role on the Social Justice Commission’s LGBTQ+ Subcommittee. Yet she remains humble in her role: “I’m only an ally,” she says. “I’m always learning.”
And that learning never ends. The congregation continues to grow its awareness, finding ways to sustain inclusive practices year-round, like continuing to use music by queer Jewish composers beyond Pride month and inviting feedback from LGBTQIA+ members in shaping future programming.
In partnership with the Reform congregation that shares the building, Ahavath Achim has co-hosted a Pride Seder and Chanukah parties and is exploring more ways to bring the community together through Pride and beyond.
“It’s good for us as a Jewish community in Wichita,” Cantor Pepperstone reflects. “And it’s good for the people we serve.”
For those already part of the community, the message is clear. For those not yet affiliated, the hope is they’ll see a reflection of themselves and an invitation to walk through the doors without hesitation.
In Cantor Pepperstone’s words: “Part of the reason we do this is so queer-identifying people know they’re not just welcome. They’re embraced.”
