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Temple Beth El Blog

Celebrate Pride with Us!

05/09/2023 08:14:57 PM

May9

We celebrate LGBTQ+lives and fight for LGBTQ+ rights all year. In June, during LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we celebrate the freedom to be ourselves even more!

Please join us for a colorful weekend June 9 and 10 featuring the work of LGBTQ+ artists in our worship and opportunities to eat, pray, craft, and learn together.

Before we begin our celebration, take a moment to learn about current legislation that can harm the freedom of many, and take action now.

Temple Beth El firmly believes in the Jewish value of b’tzelem Elohim, that we are all created in God’s image. We aim to create a community based on inclusion, collaboration, kindness, and equity, both in our congregation and in the wider community. Please see our Inclusivity and Accessibility page and our in-person information for details.

Pride Party
Friday, June 9, 6:30–7:30 pm • TBE

Dress up to show your pride and join us for a rainbow-themed celebration before our 7:30 pm Pride Shabbat worship. Enjoy a colorful array of sights, sounds, and tastes representing LGBTQ+ pride. This family-friendly event will include rainbow-colored foods, craft projects, a photo wall, and more.

To help our planning, RSVPs for the Pride Party are appreciated.

Learn more and register now

Pride Shabbat
Friday, June 9, 7:30–9:00 pm • TBE & YouTube

Our Shabbat service will feature melodies by LGBTQ+ writers and composers as well as songs with relevant themes. Our worship and community spaces will be decorated with lots of color! 

Everyone is welcome!

Learn more and join us in person or online

Queering the Text: Finding Meaning in LGBTQ+ Perspectives on Torah
Saturday, June 10, 9:00–10:00 am • TBE & Zoom

Cantor Jacob Niemi will share examples of queer interpretations of text that add new facets to our understanding of Torah and its relevance in our lives. While this approach may be particularly meaningful to those who are LGBTQ+, the conversation will explore how reading through a “bent lens” (a term borrowed from David Shneer’s introduction to “Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible”) can deepen the experience of all who find meaning in the study of Torah.

Learn more and register now

Get in the Pride Spirit through Song

Watch the recordings of B’ou NashirPride playlistfrom 2021 and 2022 where Cantor Niemi shared songs with Pride themes and elevated the voices of the current generation of LGBTQ+ singers and songwriters to fill our souls.

Pride Resources

The 2020 Pride team put together a wonderful list of resources available on the Temple blog. 

Want to join our PRIDE planning team? Have questions? Contact Aleeza A. Hoffert.

April 25, 2024 17 Nisan 5784