lgbtq+ at the j

ABOUT US
At LGBTQ+ at the J there is no right way to be Queer, and no right way to be Jewish; there's certainly no right way to be both. Our programs aim to support diverse, pluralistic, and accessible community at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities and experiences. We bring Queerness into Jewish moments and bring Jewishness into Queer life, striving for spaces where everybody can bring their full self. We both celebrate and amplify LGBTQ+ Jewish people and stories, in recognition of their inherent value. Interested in more information? Scroll through our webpage or contact Emunah Woolf, our Community Programmer, at emunahw@mnjcc.org.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS
LOCAL RESOURCES
Eshel - Eshel’s 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.
JACS Toronto Rainbow Group - JACS delivers education, programming, care and support to all those affected by addiction in the Jewish Community and beyond. This group is a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to discuss their issues surrounding substance use and related mental health issues.
Jewish Queer Youth - JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) supports and empowers LGBTQ Jewish youth with a special focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chassidic, and Sephardi/Mizrahi communities. JQY fights to ensure the emotional and physical health and safety of this population. Our goal is for all these individuals to know: You are a valued member of the Jewish community and you are not alone.
JF&CS LGBTQ2S+ Services - JF&CS is committed to being a safe space for the LGBTQ2S+ Community. We offer counselling, groups and workshops to individuals and families as well and welcome folks of all sexual orientations and gender identities at our existing groups and workshops. We also offer support and training to organizations on being more inclusive.
Keshet - Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life. We strengthen Jewish communities. We equip Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge to build LGBTQ-affirming communities, create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued, and advance LGBTQ rights nationwide.
LGBTQ+ Jewish book list from the Jewish Book Council! - Jewish Book Council, founded in 1943, is the longest-running organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature. They have compiled a list of books featuring LGBTQ+ Jewish narratives.
Nonbinary Hebrew Project - We are building a bigger tent for nonbinary Jews through a third-gender grammar systematics for Hebrew, guided by our Torah and Talmud that teach us to rejoice that which cannot be neatly categorized. This project is free, open-source, community-based, and grassroots. It lives and grows and changes with every single person who uses and adds to it.
Ontario Jewish Archive’s LGBTQ+ Stories - The Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre is the largest repository of Jewish life in Canada. Here you can find the OJA’s compiled list of LGBTQ+ stories from Ontario’s Jewish community.
SVARA - SVARA’s mission is to empower queer and trans people to expand Torah and tradition through the spiritual practice of Talmud study. We offer year-round learning, served up the old-fashioned way: hardcore, queer, and radically inclusive.
Queering the Jewish Wedding - The aims of this project are to in-gather and archive Queer-Jewish weddings and union ceremonies of all kinds, interview the folks who crafted them, and create a video artwork and expansive resource from what's been shared. If you have had, have officiated, or are planning a Queer-Jewish wedding, we'd love your contribution!
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
SUPPORT OUR WORK
We’re so proud of the team we’ve put together, and the outstanding line-up of programs and events we offer. Now we’re hoping we can count of you to support us! We’re still in the early stages of this work but we have lots of plans that will need financial support! Any amount helps.
Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism
United Jewish People’s Order
LGBTQ at the J: How To Hold An Inclusive B Mitzvah - VIRTUAL - Jan 17th, 7-8:30pm
Wondering how to plan an inclusive b’mitzvah for a queer child in your life? Hoping to find ways to blend traditional and modern b’mitzvah practices to fit your family’s needs? Just curious about different kinds of b’mitzvah practices? Join LGBTQ+ at the J for a workshop on inclusive b’mitzvahs from an LGBTQ+ lens. This event will take place over Zoom and all are welcome to attend. Workshop facilitator to be announced at a later date.
A Very Fruity Tu B'Shvat - Jan 25th, 7-9 pm
​Celebrate the birthday of the trees with LGBTQ+ at the J! Jewish people around the world give their gratitude to plants and eat delicious fruit to welcome in the blossoming spring for Tu B'Shvat. We hope you'll join us to celebrate with your LGBTQ+ Jewish community, fruity snacks, and some holiday themed crafts.
LGBTQ at the J: Shabbat - Feb 2nd, 6:30-8:30 pm
Please join us for our monthly LGBTQ+ Shabbat Dinner, this month held at the Miles Nadal JCC. These dinners are designed to intentionally create space for LGBTQ+ Jews and our loved ones to gather, share a Shabbat meal, and build community. Find the other dinners in the series rotating between this JCC, Prosserman JCC, and the Schwartz-Reisman Centre.
Queering The Jewish Wedding - Feb 13th, 7-8:30 pm
* This event is the second in our Queer Jewish Lifecycle Events series.
Wondering what you need to think about when planning a Queer Jewish wedding? Hoping to find ways to blend traditional and modern marriage practices to fit your needs? Attending a Queer Jewish wedding and curious about what you might encounter? You’ve come to the right place! Join LGBTQ+ at the J and Toby King for a workshop on Queering the Jewish Wedding based on archival work during their time in the Queer Jewish Incubator. Toby conducted interviews with couples and clergy who have had, planned and officiated Queer-Jewish weddings and union ceremonies of all kinds and will offer their findings on this webinar. This event will take place over Zoom and all are welcome to attend.
Four Faces Of Purim: Drag Makeup Mastery - Mar 20th, 7-8:30 pm
Happy Adar - it's the season of mishloach manot, masks, and makeup, and LGBTQ+ at the J has you covered with a drag makeup workshop! Featuring four archetypal characters from the Purim story, we will learn how to get made up for megillah. Everyone can be anyone this time of year - will you be a queen, a king, a villain, or something else entirely? We can't wait to see!
DIY Mishpacha: Queer Jewish Family Building - Mar 5th, 7-8:30 pm
* This event is the third in our Queer Jewish Lifecycle Events series.
This event is the third in our Queer Jewish Lifecycle Events series. What are some of the varying ways that Queer Jewish families build families? What are the considerations that go into baby welcoming and naming practices and celebrations? How can you navigate some of the tough conversations around these topics? Join LGBTQ+ at the J for a workshop on Queer Jewish family building and baby welcoming. This event will take place over Zoom and all are welcome to attend.