LGBT stalwart Keshet gets $540,000 from S.F. federation

Keshet, the nation’s largest organization working for LGBT inclusion in Jewish life, has been awarded a
$540,000 grant from the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.

Summer Loving: BYFI’s LGBT Journey

 July 1989: I am in Israel on the Bronfman Youth Fellowships and, for the first time, I am with a group of peers with whom I feel fully understood. Being a smart girl is sexy. Reading Molière is cool. My Bronfman friends laugh at my jokes.

Three-Year Grant Will Expand Bay Area Programs for LGBT Jews

Keshet, the nation’s largest organization working for LGBT inclusion in Jewish life, has been awarded a three-year grant for $540,000 from Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (JCF).

Jewish group offers training on LGBT inclusivness

Following allegations that a Jewish school in London showed pupils anti-gay material, a Jewish forum has provided a free training course for community members to support LGBT inclusion in the faith.

Celebrate a Queer Passover Seder with Keshet April 10

The ancient Jewish observance of Passover is a week-long commemorationof theendof theIsraelites’centuriesof slavery in Egypt, starting with a Passover Seder – a ritual meal shared by family and friends.

Keshet organizes Queer Seder 2012 and more GLBTQ- inclusive events

Marking the beginning of Passover, the seder is a ritual meal that brings together generations of families -- and tomorrow’s Queer Seder 2012 will definitely extend the definition of family. In conjunction with Integrity Print Group, Keshet is hosting a GLBTQ-welcome dinner at Temple Emanuel. “We work for the full inclusion of GLBTQ people in Jewish life,” says Rafi Daugherty, an outreach coordinator for Keshet.

BBYO embraces anti-bullying documentary, taking its message to Jewish teens

The Bully Project aims to have 1 million teens see the movie and sign a pledge promising to take a stand against bullying -- “stick up for others who might be in need of my help” -- and be role models by not spreading hateful rumors -- and not ignoring those who do.

Keshet Laughs For Funds

Over 400 LGBT Jews and allies attended the fifth annual Keshet Cabaret and raised $145,000 to support the organization’s work for a fully inclusive Jewish community.

Passover and LGBT Liberation: What Is Your Community’s Story?

This year, I ask you to think about what kind of story you want to tell about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender inclusion and equality in your Jewish community.

Poll: 81% of Jews Back Gay Marriage

It isn’t news that American Jews overwhelmingly support legalizing gay marriage. But a new survey out today puts that level of support at 81%, a few notches higher than previous polls.

The freaks of J Street

I came to the J Street Conference looking for allies. As a queer Jew who is sternly critical of Israel, but still a staunch Zionist, I was looking forward to meeting some like-minded folks.

Keshet Cabaret

On March 17, The Keshet Cabaret raised over $145,000 for their work to create a fully inclusive Jewish community for LGBTQ Jews.

A Fully Inclusive Jewish Summer Camp

This year, I had the opportunity to participate in the Keshet LGBT inclusivity training for Jewish organizations; and it was a great learning tool about new programs for our staff and campers.

A Fully Inclusive Jewish Summer Camp

This guest post comes from Stefan Teodosic, Executive Director of B’nai B’rith Beber Camp.

Where were we 10 years ago?

Idit has been at Keshet for 10 years – a lifetime in terms of change in the Jewish LGBT world.

Honoring Women’s Advocacy During Women’s History Month

Today is International Women’s Day. GLAAD’s Religion, Faith, and Values program would like to take this opportunity to mark the achievements of women who have been dedicated in their advocacy on behalf of LGBT people within their faith communities.

Uniting Gay and Straight at School

Once rare, Alliances are now common in Jewish day schools.

A tale of two Hineini tweets

Gilda Radner and Chanukah Lights: A Coming Out Story (Chag v’Chesed: Chanukah 5772)

When Jewish comedian Gilda Radner lit a menorah on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s, it was the very first time that lighting Chanukah candles had been broadcast on national television.

Transgender Jews: Breaking Down One Wall, Praying At Another

Last week, on a foggy night in northern Israel, I heard the news I was waiting to hear for six years -- Massachusetts, my home state, had finally passed a Transgender Equal Rights Bill. This new law offers vital protections to transgender people in employment, housing and credit, and explicitly includes trans people in the state’s hate crimes law.