Our services on Friday, June 12, at 6:15 pm and Saturday, June 13, at 10 am will celebrate and affirm the LGBTQ+ members of our community and congregation, and we'll include special prayers and readings to incorporate and uplift queerness in our traditions. We are hosting our Baum Scholar-in-Residence for the weekend, Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman from Keshet, the national Jewish LGBTQ+ organization, who will speak about queerness in Jewish life, traditions, and texts. Guests must RSVP through our website, TAHerie.org. Temple Anshe Hesed is at 5401 Old Zuck Road, Erie, PA.

For over 150 years Temple Anshe Hesed has been Erie's Reform synagogue - a place where Judaism is celebrated and lived. Temple Anshe Hesed celebrated 150 years of Jewish community on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie in 2025. Our Temple's name, Anshe Hesed, is Hebrew for "People of Loving-Kindness." This name perfectly encapsulates the Temple's acceptance and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. Many members of Temple Anshe Hesed are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the Temple joyfully takes part in Pride celebrations every June. Temple member Kris Haas explains, "When we came to Temple, very early on Rabbi [Morais] told [my wife and I] that we were far from the first lesbian coupleand that was a huge thing for me. Knowing that there were others and that I wouldn't have to hide the most important person in my life for fear of being ostracized."

The name of Erie's Reform Jewish temple, Anshe Hesed, is Hebrew for "People of Kindness." This name perfectly encapsulates the temple's acceptance and welcoming of the LGBTQ community. Many members of Temple Anshe Hesed are part of the LGBTQ community, and the temple takes part in Pride celebrations every June. Temple member Kris Haas explains, "When we came to temple, very early on Rabbi told us that [my wife and I] were far from the first lesbian coupleand that was a huge thing for me. Knowing that there were others and that I wouldn't have to hide the most important person in my life for fear of being ostracized."