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Dear Friend,
Toward the end of Keshet's Making the Extraordinary Ordinary Gala last week, Rabbi Jane Kanarek said to me, "It is amazing and wonderful to see that this is the place for Jewish Boston to be tonight." How extraordinary that over 450 people came together at Temple Emanuel in Newton, MA — and with so much joy — when in our early days, people often asked me, "Is Keshet a Jewish organization?" How far we have come together!
Thank you to each of you who celebrated with us in person or online. It was truly an extraordinary moment for me in marking the end of my tenure as Keshet CEO. You can watch the full video and check out the photo album.
Last week's celebration felt particularly poignant and significant in the broader, painful context for us as queer people and as Jews. In the wake of the horrific attacks in Boulder and DC — and the persistent rise in antisemitism and assaults on LGBTQ+ rights — we weep, we get angry, and we fight back.
In times of vulnerability and fear, we come together in our resilience and power. Together, we reconnect to hope and pride. And this Pride Month, in particular, I invite you to exult in your queer Jewish glory.
See below for information about how to connect with Keshet at Pride around the country. I look forward to seeing you out there!
Pride Sameach (Happy Pride),
Idit Klein
President & CEO
she/her
As we enter this Pride Month, at a time when our LGBTQ+ community is under direct attack from all levels of our own government, and at a time when many of us are once again fearful of antisemitic violence, let us glean wisdom from our queer ancestors and build resilience for the continued work of LGBTQ+ freedom. Amidst it all, let us remember our capacity for joy, for resistance, and for hope. To bring all of these things into your month, please explore and share our Pride resources, including:
TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET
Across the country, we’re witnessing a surge of harmful legislation and rhetoric targeting trans, nonbinary, and intersex people, seeking to strip away fundamental rights. This Pride month, we need Jewish communities to stand up and affirm the dignity and humanity of all people. You are invited to sign our Jewish Pledge to Affirm the Dignity of Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex People, and take action today.
LEARN WITH KESHET
Shivyon: Keshet’s Equality Project is a year-long training and consultation program to help Jewish institutions become communities of LGBTQ+ belonging. It’s more important than ever that your Jewish community be ready to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ members. Bring Shivyon to your community! Email H. Henschel to learn more.
We are currently accepting applications for the following cohorts:
Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Shivyon Cohort. Open to member organizations of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, with a sliding scale fee. If the fee is a barrier, please reach out to us! Launches with two virtual Days of Learning, October 30 and November 6. Learn more and apply.
- Conservative-affiliated Congregations Shivyon Cohort. Open to Conservative movement-affiliated organizations and congregations, and offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our partners! Launches with two virtual Days of Learning, November 11 and November 18. Learn more and apply.
Request a Training, Speaker, or Advocacy Event. Bring Keshet to your community! We can host a training or advocacy event to teach you how to take action, and you can request a speaker for an upcoming LGBTQ+ event in your congregation. Learn more.
KESHET EVENTS
Pride Events. Keshet is celebrating Pride across the country! Join us at local and national events honoring LGBTQ+ and Jewish identity. And there are even more Pride events happening that we couldn’t fit in one email. Bookmark our calendar and check back regularly for updates.
Greater Boston Area
Qabbalat Shabbat with President & CEO of Keshet, Idit Klein. Gather with Temple Israel of Boston to celebrate Pride, with special guest speaker Idit Klein. Friday, June 13, 6pm ET. Learn more and watch the livestream.
Boston Pride Parade. Join Keshet as we lead a Jewish contingent at the Pride Parade! Celebrate LGBTQ+ and Jewish Pride in Boston, as a marcher or spectator. Saturday, June 14, 11am ET. If you want to march with Keshet, register.
Chicago
Anshe Emet Pride Shabbat. Join Anshe Emet for a Pride-inspired service and a community dinner with Rabbi Micah Buck, Keshet Director of Education & Training. Friday, June 20, 6pm CT. Register.
Skokie Pride. Celebrate Pride at this free, family-friendly party in the park. No RSVP required! Sunday, June 22, 1pm CT at Oakton Park. Learn more about the event.
- Chicago Pride Parade. Join Keshet and our local partners as we march in the Chicago Pride Parade. If you plan to march or spectate, please register and tell us you’re coming! Sunday, June 29, 11am CT. Register.
DC
World Pride at Adas Israel. Idit Klein, Keshet President & CEO, will give remarks at Adas Israel in honor of World Pride. Saturday, June 7, 10am ET. Watch the livestream here.
Florida
Pride Shabbat in Miami. Join Keshet and our partners, OneTable, The Tribe, and Repair the World Miami for Pride Shabbat at Dear Eleanor. Friday, June 6, 7pm ET. Register.
- Temple Beth Torah Pride Shabbat. Celebrate Pride with Temple Beth Torah and Tracey Labgold, Keshet Florida Education & Training Manager. No registration necessary. Friday, June 6, 7pm ET. Learn more.
New York
NYC LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Kickoff Picnic. All LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish youth ages 13-24 are invited! Bagels and schmear will be provided, and you’re invited to bring other dairy or pareve food to share. Exact location shared after registration. Sunday, June 8, 12pm ET. Register.
PRIDE Shabbat at CBST. Idit Klein, Keshet President & CEO, will speak at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah’s Pride Shabbat. Attendance is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Friday, June 27, 6:30pm ET. Register.
- Jew York Pride. Join Keshet and our NYC partners and co-sponsors for a NYC Pride Brunch and March. Sunday, June 29, 9am ET. Save the date, registration coming soon!
Texas
Round Rock Pride Festival. Find Keshet at the 4th annual Round Rock Pride Festival, as well as live entertainment, food vendors, and community booths. Saturday, June 7, 2pm CT, at the Centennial Plaza. Learn more about the festival.
Dallas Pride Parade. March in the Dallas Pride Parade with Keshet! Join our local partners, including Temple Emanu-El, as we celebrate LGBTQ+ and Jewish pride. Sunday, June 15, 1pm CT. Registration is required to march with us.
LGBTQ SAVES Youth Pride Picnic. LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger are invited to celebrate Pride in a space that centers you! Make sure to say hi to Keshet at the picnic. Saturday, June 21, 10am CT. Fort Worth. Registration is required.
- Trinity Pride Festival. Find Keshet along with our partner, Makom Shelanu Congregation, at the Trinity Pride Fest! No registration required. Saturday, June 28, 6pm CT. Fort Worth. Learn more about the event.
Online Youth Programs. Our weekly hangouts for Jewish LGBTQ+ and ally youth! Our online programs are about to go on summer break, but we have one more Monday evening hangout for LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish teens, 13-18. The next meeting is Monday, June 9, 8pm ET. Register.
QJOC Kinship Affinity Space. Join our monthly meeting for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, as we gather to recharge, share laughs, and build community. Tuesday, June 24, 7pm ET. Register.
SHARE YOUR STORY
LGBTQ+ people have always been part of Judaism and active in Jewish communities, but these stories have historically been hidden, denied, or marginalized.
Over the last several decades, LGBTQ+ Jewish activists have created tremendous change in many parts of the Jewish world, even in the face of resistance and backlash.
This Pride Month, we're partnering with Jewish Women's Archive to invite you to share your own story or to interview an LGBTQ+ person in your life using the question prompts online or on the JWA Story Aperture app.
Jewish orgs offer defense of LGBTQ+ rights under attack by Trump admin, Jewish News of Arizona
LGBTQ+ families don’t always feel safe. Here’s where they can find support., The 19th News
Keshet Conversations: Finding Jewish Belonging Through Song by Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
A Midrash for Queer Jewish Conception by Aliza Levine
To Those in the Narrow Place by Rachel Gollay
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LGBTQ+ Family Events at JCC Greater Boston. Our partners at the JCC of Greater Boston are hosting family-friendly LGBTQ+ events, including a PFLAG support group, a PJ Library Family Rainbow Parade, and an information session on how you can better foster LGBTQ+ safety for children in your life. Learn more and sign up.
