Creating a gender-neutral bathroom at Beth El

Continuing Beth El’s long stance as an inclusive community, plans are in motion to create a gender-neutral and handicapped access bathroom in our synagogue.

The background: a subcommittee of our Inclusion Committee educated the congregation in 2021 on the need for a gender-neutral bathroom and found that there was overwhelming consensus to create this space within our building. In parallel with this committee’s work, the House Committee worked with an architect to draw up plans for a gender-neutral and handicapped-accessible bathroom.

After the congregation’s annual meeting in June, the Board of Directors tasked a team with members from the Inclusion, House, School, and Tefilah Committees to review these designs. As of November 2022, the designs are in the hands of the architect for updates based on that review. Next steps: getting construction quotes, choosing a builder, and acquiring funding. The goal is to have the work done in summer 2023 in time for the 2023 High Holidays.