June 7, 2026
Every generation produces leaders who help move society towards progress. For Pride Month, we reflect on the impact of Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, a Jewish attorney whose work has shaped some of the most significant civil rights victories of our time.
Born in Cleveland and educated at Harvard and Columbia, Kaplan built her career as a litigator, willing to take on difficult cases and unpopular fights. She is most well-known for representing Edith Windsor in United States v. Windsor, the landmark Supreme Court case that struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013. The decision required the federal government to recognize legally married same-sex couples and paved the way for marriage equality in America. Kaplan has said that when she first heard Windsor’s story, she knew that it was a case worth fighting for. Her willingness to take that risk helped change the lives of millions of Americans.
Kaplan’s career did not stop there. She went on to found her own law firm, focusing on civil rights and public-interest litigation. She has represented survivors of discrimination and harassment, supported LGBTQIA+ equality, and was involved in other high-profile cases. In 2024, Forbes featured her as one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers and described her career as one defined by “big risks and big payoffs.”
What makes Roberta Kaplan’s story compelling from a Jewish perspective is the values that stand as the basis for her victories. Jewish tradition teaches that every human is created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. This idea calls on us to recognize the dignity and worth of every person. Kaplan’s work has consistently centered on advocating for those whose rights and humanity have been questioned or denied, something we actively work to live out in our community.
At Beth Tikvah, Pride Month is not only a celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity; it is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to build a community where everyone belongs. Kaplan reminds us that inclusion is not passive; it requires a willingness to stand up when equality seems out of reach.
Through her work, Roberta Kaplan has helped widen the circle of belonging—a goal that continues to resonate deeply with the values we strive to live each day at Beth Tikvah.
Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Tikvah
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