Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in June. According to the Library of Congress, it is a time to celebrate “how LGBTQ Americans have strengthened our country, by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill.”
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest is made stronger by the participation of people of every age, ability, race, ethnicity, denomination, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religious affiliation. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome, included, and valued.
We invite you to review the resources below and join us at an upcoming event.
Resources for Families:
Looking for a Jewish summer camp for your child? Many Jewish camps joyfully welcome and support LGBTQ+ campers and families. Learn more
Children’s books related to Pride:
The Purim Superhero by Elizabeth Kushner
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Lesléa Newman
Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Additional Resources:
Merkaz Q Camp Program at Camp Tel Yehudah is a summer camp experience for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and queer teens and allies interested in the intersections of Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities. Learn more about yourself, make new friends, grapple with ideas that matter to you in a safe and fun environment.
Faith For Pride is a program of the Interfaith Alliance to “….bring people together to demonstrate that congregations and communities across faith and place vehemently oppose the bills that threaten the lives and livelihoods of our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors…to build an interfaith movement that fights for the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community.” Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ is proud to be a co-sponsor of #Faith4Pride this year!
Keshet is a national organization that “…works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life.” They strengthen Jewish communities, equip Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge to build LGBTQ-affirming communities and create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued, and advance LGBTQ rights nationwide.
Eshel is a national organization and their mission “…is to create a future for Orthodox lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, and their families. Through its innovative and culturally sensitive programming, Eshel supports LGBTQ Jews, opening hearts, minds and doors in traditional Jewish communities.”
JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) is an organization that “…supports and empowers LGBTQ Jewish youth with a special focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chassidic, and Sephardi/Mizrahi communities.”
For a more comprehensive list of groups and organizations that support the Jewish LGBTQ+ community, click here.
We had so much fun at the North Jersey Pride Festival Last Year!
DID YOU KNOW: Greater MetroWest is proud to host a Keshet Shivyon Cohort, in which 10 synagogues and agencies from our area have embarked on a year-long process of increasing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the community. The following institutions are participating in this program: Temple Emanu-El (Westfield), Temple Sholom of West Essex, Congregation Beth Israel Scotch Plains, Congregation Agudath Israel, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael (MJCBY), Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD), JESPY House, Golda Och Academy, JCC Metrowest, and Federation.
Learn moreContact Us
We are committed to ensuring that all members of our community feel welcome. Contact our Director of Welcoming and Inclusion to learn more.
Sharon Zucker
Director of Welcoming and Inclusion
[email protected]