PRIDE AT THE J
The MNjcc strives to be an LGBTQ+ positive space and is committed to welcoming, including, and embracing all members of the community. We seek to create and maintain a safe, welcoming, affirming and inclusive environment for members of the community of any gender or sexual identity, and a community that is free of discrimination and harassment based on gender expression and sexual orientation. Why Pride? Pride Month is an entire month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, celebration of LGBTQ culture, and the support of LGBTQ rights. Throughout the month of June, there are usually parades, protests, performances, and memorials and celebrations of life for members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. It is part political activism, part celebration of all the LGBTQ community has achieved over the years. Toronto's Pride celebrations evolved out of the mass protests that followed the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids. During Pride Month (June) every year, we offer a number of fabulous programs that are open to everyone!
UPCOMING MNJCC PRIDE PROGRAMS
Jewish LGBTQ+ Representations in Film and TV
Sunday June 6, 2021 → 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Guest speaker: Stav Meishar, multidisciplinary stage artist and educator.
From Angels in America and Transparent to Bent and Yentl, explore the intersection of Jewish identities and queer identities in film and television. Are these identities separate or influence each other? Do they stand in juxtaposition or complement each other? What does it mean for these characters to be Jewish AND Queer? Enjoy video clips excerpts and analyse these questions using biblical, contemporary and academic texts.
Co-presented as part of Pride Month by Adult Daytime Culture and Education, Israeli Connection at the MNjcc, LGBTQ at the J and the Toronto Jewish Film Society. Presented in partnership with Pride Toronto. Generously sponsored by the UJA Federation’s Emerging Communities Committee.
Rainbow Challah-Baking Class for Families
Thursday June 3, 2021 → 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Whether you want to learn how to make challah from scratch or infuse more pride into your challah this month, join us for this family-friendly rainbow challah class and demonstration! This interactive class will be led by Pearl Cohen and Lauren Schreiber Sasaki, both weekly challah bakers who love kids, rainbows and Pride month! Participation is optional but an ingredient list will be sent with registration.
In partnership with Beth Tzedek Congregation, PJ Library and Machane Lev.
A Queer Dinner Party: Around the Shabbat Table
Friday June 18, 2021 → 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Join us around the Shabbat table for a celebration of all things Pride! We will welcome Shabbat together with some liturgy, join in Shabbat ritual, and meet each other through song, poetry and sharing. Bring your dinner and celebrate Shabbat in the queer community!
Inspired by Judy Chicago’s ‘Dinner Party,’ we will be honouring queer role models or ancestors and will have optional time to share with each other.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
The LGBTQ Future of the Jewish Community: A Keshet - Hineni Panel
Tuesday June 1 at 7:00 pm
Join Keshet and the Hineni Fellowship to meet and learn from LGBTQ Jewish leaders about their leadership experiences and journeys. We will explore the ways in which the leadership of LGBTQ members of our community can transform our communal landscapes.
Shir Libeynu Pride Havdallah
Saturday June 12 at 7:30 pm
Join us for Congregation Shir Libeynu’s annual Havdalah Pride celebration. Let us virtually celebrate the diversity of our community with song, prayer and special guests! https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItdeGupzItHt1t-IpkZ0iGsr3IJLU0Nboo
Conversations Over Coffee with Rabbi Steve Wernick and Micah Barnes / The Pride Edition
Monday June 14 from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Broadcast directly to the Beth Tzedec Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BethTzedecCongregation and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMoVE_Hs2JstH5khYehKwg
Creatives in Conversation - Beth Tzedec Congregation in partnership with PrideTO
Tuesday June 22 at 7:30
Beth Tzedec Artist in Residence Aviva Chernick hosts this virtual roundtable with an outstanding group of Queer Jewish Canadian Creatives; Diane Flacks, Sigal Samuel, Daniel Sarah Karasik and Evan Tapper, all people working in the arts, each accomplished in their own form. Join this celebration in a conversation of the intersection between Jewish, Queer and Creative identities.
https://bethtzedectoronto.shulcloud.com/event/creatives-in-conversation-a-pride-month-event.html
Pride Panel 2021: A World of Connections to LGBTQ Jewish Pride
Wednesday June 23 at 12:00 pm
Join Keshet as we host representatives from four, LGBTQ Jewish organizations located around the world. In addition to Keshet US, we’ll hear from Keshet UK, Guimel Mexico City, and Jewish Outlook South Africa! Panelists will speak to current successes and challenges in the areas they work, reflect on LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish life around the world, and share their hopes for the future of the Jewish community.
Queer Jewish Drag Cabaret
Saturday June 5, 2021 → 9:00 PM
You are cordially invited to kick off Pride 2021 at our Queer Jewish Drag Cabaret! This fabulous, free affair will take place live on Zoom + streamed to Facebook. Bring your outrageous, authentic selves, and bask in some queer Jewish wonky wonder!
In partnership with Alex Richler, Community Builder, LGBTQ+ at the J, JQT & PrideTO.
Queer at the Root
May 31 – June 30, 2021
Queer at the Root is a virtual art exhibition featuring 18 Jewish, queer and/or trans artists across North America presented by the Miles Nadal JCC in collaboration with JQT Vancouver and curated by Angelic Proof. A Pride Toronto affiliate event.