The Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

10/10/2023

On Saturday I was in a workshop with a Jewish theme and teachings. Presenter didn't mention a word about what is going on in Israel at the moment. Was unbelievable as well as a few other things she said. While it is hard to know what to say that could be wise or comforting, I feel at a loss myself, we cannot refrain from speaking. I think this piece by Jay Michaelson is a good start.
https://jaymichaelson.substack.com/p/your-jewish-friends-are-not-okay?fbclid=IwAR2aQ2eTdFfIOwYMNkM7Na1-eGzfpKYRXVU4QkHhxwYEp7MlrAmTSQPDxj4_aem_Afw1FWriZcME5BtDlT37jI9YqjvjUoj4mKVjEcFhXwg6uB5caVw460KgsDmVnEwYTX8

Why this round of violence in Israel/Palestine is different.

04/18/2023

"Beloved Stephanie,

Forgive me; remember me with love. There was no choice. My life was beautiful to the end because of your love and the friendship of those who surrounded me with loving care. I hope to die at peace with the world and in the hope of grace and love. Be strong. Maybe someday justice and humanity will live anew."

These were the last words Anna Traumann wrote to her life partner Stefanie before committing su***de in 1942. Anna was set to be deported from her hometown of Heidelberg to the Theresienstadt ghetto. She knew she would not survive the transport due to her fragile health and decided to commit su***de.

Today, on Yom HaShoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day), we remember Anna, her story, and her heart-breaking last words.

🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯

04/15/2018

830 followers

08/28/2013

Hey Friends, I need your help!!!
Send me (here or message me privately or email) your recommendations for the 18 most important Jewish LGBT books a Jewish library should have. ASAP if you can! THANK YOU. (apologies if you are getting this as a cross post but I need your feedback!)

06/26/2013

As founding director of HUC-JIR's Institute on Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity and as a board member of California Faith for Equality, I want to celebrate the work that we have done to bring about this day, along side the numerous congregations, clergy and rabbinical, cantorial, education and non-profit management students of HUC-JIR, and a special shout out for the early significant work of Steve Krantz and Jews for Marriage Equality.

06/26/2013

Rabbis Jacobs, Fox, Feldman and Saperstein: "There is no more central tenet to our faith than the notion that all human beings are created in the image of the Divine, and, as such, entitled to equal treatment and equal opportunity. Many faith traditions, including Reform Judaism, celebrate and sanct...

06/26/2013

Let justice well up like water, [and] righteousness like an unfailing stream. (Amos 5:24)
Thank God, truly, thank God, and all the millions of hands that worked so hard to get us to this day. Breathe in this justice and let it wash over us like a cleansing stream that draws away the hurt and pain that this long struggle has cast upon us. We need to make time to celebrate, to dance and for some, to marry if that is their choice.

We pursue justice and we are rewarded. It is our great fortune that we are able to see and feel that reward while we are still breathing, a privilege that many who fought for this right did not receive. Savor it and then continue with the holy work of justice and inspired activism.

Joel L. Kushner, Psy.D.
Director - Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion

02/15/2013

Breakthrough to Love is Here. Speak out tonight and tomorrow for Shabbat. Check out the sermon materials.

Source: breakthrough2love.com via California Faith on Pinterest If you're the leader of a faith based community, now is the time to jump on board a really exciting opportunity. Breakthrough...

10/11/2012

COME OUT AS AN ALLY!

Support the HUC-JIR LGBT Community and COME OUT AS AN ALLY for National Coming Out Day on October 11. It's simple!

1. Take a picture of yourself holding a sign stating, “I Am An Ally.” The sign can be typed on a computer, or you can display your artistic side, so long as the message is clear! If you are LGB identified, you can be an Ally for the Transgender community and vice versa.

2.”Like” the Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity's page (if you haven't already!): http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Institute-for-Judaism-Sexual-Orientation-Gender-Identity

3. Upload this picture as your facebook profile picture on National Coming Out Day on October 11 to show your support to the LGBT Community and those people that have decided to come out as LGBT on this day. Tag the Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in your profile picture!
Thanks for being an Ally!

09/10/2012

We just supported SB 1172 -- we hope you will too! http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=8081051

08/29/2012

Speaker John A. Pérez, the first out gay person elected to lead a state House in American history, speaks in support of the bill.