As we at Wise commit ourselves to creating a community that embraces all those who seek to call Wise home, it’s incumbent upon all of us to truly open our hearts to those who walk different paths. The stories that will appear this week are from cherished Wise families (some of them, community leaders) who might have felt marginalized in the past but have found a home at Wise. In our own tribute to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, we celebrate our diversity and recognize that all of us are uplifted by the rich mosaic of perspectives brought to us by our multifaceted community.
The Story of Lori Wolf and Carol Leifer
by Lori Wolf
In 2015, Lori Wolf and Carol Leifer were married by Rabbi Ron Stern. As a queer couple, they had waited many years to sanctify their relationship. When they were finally able to legally ratify their union, our temple’s commitment to inclusivity allowed them to feel embraced and accepted, and ultimately to raise their son as part of our community. The text below is excerpted from Lori’s High Holy Day fundraising message that she shared proudly before the entire congregation:
For me personally, Stephen Wise Temple has always been a safe haven and a sanctuary. I grew up at this temple. My parents were members and came over with Rabbi Zeldin when the temple was first started. I went to Sunday school here and had a confirmation here. I also had my bat mitzvah here.
As I grew into adulthood, the temple continued to be a place that I called home. When I fell in love and married my wife Carol, it was here at this temple—within these walls—that I entered the covenant of marriage. When Carol and I wanted to start a family, we reached out to another part of the world and adopted our son Bruno from Guatemala. We’ve raised Bruno in accordance with the Jewish values and teachings that I had grown up with myself under this very roof. Bruno became Bar Mitzvah during COVID, and this temple—through many trials and tribulations—made that celebration possible. I am so proud of the young man he is today and humbled by being able to extend the tools of Jewish teachings and values to Bruno who will, in turn, use them to craft his own path in life.
Stephen Wise Temple has been a huge part of my life. This is the place and community where I believe I am authentically myself, where I can be connected to my values, where I feel I make the most impact and can do justice. We are part of Stephen Wise Temple—and I sit on the Board of Directors—because Wise has been a steadfast sanctuary for me and my family throughout my life, and a safe haven for all of us and for the broader community.