Beit Tzedek

A spiritual home for all through the lens of Jewish justice, ritual, and liberation.

About Us

Beit Tzedek (Hebrew for “House of Justice”) is a Jewish Universalist spiritual community grounded in Jewish ritual, ethics, and collective liberation.We are rooted in Judaism — its stories, its griefs, its resilience, its rhythms — but we are open to all people, regardless of religion, background, belief, or lack thereof. Whether you’re Jewish, Jew-ish, adjacent, interfaith, ex-observant, spiritual-but-not-religious, or figuring it out: you are welcome here.We hold sacred the work of justice, grief, and joy. We gather to light candles, mourn violence, sing new prayers, and call the world to accountability. We are a community committed to anti-Zionism, anti-racism, queer and trans liberation, and accessibility.Beit Tzedek exists outside the walls of empire — and within the infinite heart of Jewish tradition.

Our Values

🕯 Justice for all people, including Palestinians
🏳️🌈 Queer- and trans-affirming
🪬 Anti-Zionist, decolonial Jewish theology
🛑 Non-policing, consent-based community structure
📜 Torah rooted in compassion, not empireWe mourn every soul lost to war, occupation, and genocide.We reject the use of Jewish identity or Torah to justify violence against Palestinians. Our tradition teaches: “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Lev. 19:16) and “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deut. 16:20). To remain silent is to be complicit.Judaism does not demand loyalty to a state — it demands loyalty to justice.

Our Core Tenents

All members of Beit Tzedek agree to uphold and honor the following commitments as part of our sacred community:1. Justice Is SacredWe believe justice (tzedek) isn’t just an idea — it’s a sacred responsibility. Our faith does not let us stay neutral while others suffer. We are called to stand with those who are pushed to the margins, who are hurting, and who the world tries to silence.2. Liberation for All PeopleWe affirm the inherent dignity and liberation of:*Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples*Palestinian people and all communities under occupation or colonial violence*Disabled and chronically ill individuals*Those in the LGBTQIA+ community*Those incarcerated, displaced, or targeted by systems of powerThere is no liberation until we all are free.3. Judaism Without EmpireWe reject the use of Judaism as justification for nationalism, militarism, or state violence. We are not affiliated with the State of Israel or any institutional expression of Zionism. Our tradition is older, deeper, and more prophetic than empire.4. Radical WelcomeBeit Tzedek is a spiritual home for Jews and non-Jews alike, including interfaith folks, seekers, doubters, and those harmed by organized religion. No specific beliefs, rituals, or background are required to belong — only a commitment to justice, compassion, and care.5. Accountability with LoveWe commit to resolving conflict with humility, listening, and consent. We are a community of people in process — learning, unlearning, and growing together. We practice accountability as a form of love, not punishment.6. Access Is a Spiritual PrincipleWe believe that access is holy. We do our best to make our rituals and gatherings open to everyone, including folks with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. Rest matters. Flexibility matters. Everyone belongs here — as they are.7. Ritual Rooted in LiberationOur spiritual practices — prayer, learning, mourning, joy — are rooted in Jewish tradition and reclaimed through a lens of freedom, equity, and imagination. We welcome new liturgy, multiple lineages, and evolving expressions of sacredness.8. We Mourn, We Rage, We LoveWe do not look away from suffering. We mourn deeply — for those we have lost, for the violence done in our name, for a world that could be otherwise. But we also create, sing, rage, and love. We make sacred what others discard.9. No Policing, EverBeit Tzedek does not involve or cooperate with police or carceral systems. We commit to alternative models of community care, safety, and support — especially for those most targeted by state violence.10. We Are BecomingBeit Tzedek is a living, growing community. These tenets may evolve as the community grows. We honor the process of becoming — individually and collectively.To join Beit Tzedek, we invite you to read these tenets with intention. If they align with your heart and spirit, you are welcome."I commit to these tenets in the spirit of justice, care, and community. I join Beit Tzedek not as a consumer, but as a co-creator of sacred space."

Our Leadership

Rabbi Dr. Stevie Matlock (they/them) is the founding spiritual leader of Beit Tzedek. They are an ordained Universal Rabbi through the Universal Life Church, where they also hold an honorary Doctorate of Metaphysics.Rabbi Matlock is led by a radical commitment to justice, deeply rooted in their Jewish faith and guided by compassion, solidarity, and the sacred worth of every human being.Their vision for Beit Tzedek is to create a spiritual home for like-minded people who strive for justice and peace in all aspects of life — with particular commitment to uplifting:People of ColorDisabled individualsMembers of the LGBTQIA+ communityAll those facing oppression and wholesale violence around the globe — especially our Palestinian siblingsBeit Tzedek is not affiliated with any denomination or synagogue system beyond our recognition by the Universal Life Church. No religious background or belief system is required to become part of our community.The only requirement for membership is alignment with our core tenets, which you can read here