Keshet UK : Working together for LGBT Jews

Nov 12

Here’s another exciting project we are supporting! To get involved, please contact Su at the email address above.

Cross Communal Events: November - December 2012

Please see below November / December events by JGLG and GJIL. For more information, please contact steven@gayjewsinlondon.com or info@jglg.org.uk as appropriate.

Tuesday 13^th November at 7pm – JGLG AGM and film showing of Hineini

Our AGM will start at 7pm and last about an hour. We’ll then be showing the film Hineini. We’ll be serving hot drinks and light refreshments. Members only for the AGM part but all welcome for the film. The film will not start until 8.30pm.

Friday 16th November 2012 7pm – GJIL Friday Night Dinner

Back due to popular demand one of our Friday Night Dinners in NW London. As usual please bring with you something to share (vegetarian/non-meat based) and some drink - we’ll provde challah and the atmosphere. Kiddush will be made and Candles lit so that all can enjoy the Mitzvot of bringing in Shabbat as a community.

Wednesday 20th November 7.30-9.30pm, Finchley – LGBTQ Jewish Creative Writing Group

The next groups themes are: Jewish, Queer and Hazelnuts. You are asked to write a short story that includes some or all these themes in no more than 250 words. A light kosher dinner will be included.

Please email kornjoel@hotmail.com or Facebook message for address details.

Thursday 21st November – JGLG Coffee & Cakes

Come and join us for coffee and cakes in Enfield. There will be a minimum charge of £2 per person for members and £4 for non-members to cover costs.

Friday 30th November at 7.30pm – JGLG World Aids Day Chavurah led by Rabbi Mark Solomon

Our regular Service and Social in Central London. Service 7.30 – 8.30pm. After the service - Schmooze, Kiddush and Buffet. Please bring vegetarian food to share. Minimum requested donation £5. The group will provide drinks.

Thursday 13th December at 9pm – Young JGLG Lesbians’ Night Out

Our third night out in town for young lesbians. Please contact us for further details.

Saturday 8th December at 8pm – JGLG Chanukah Party

Last year our Chanukah Party was a huge success. We’ll be serving latkes and doughnuts and providing all drinks – all kosher. Members £5, non-members £8.

Saturday 15th December, 7.30pm til late in Chalk Farm – GJIL Chanukah Party

Save the date for our annual Chanukah Party on the last night of Chanukah! All those who have been will remember that this is one of our best events of the year and we hope that you will be able to join us again! For those that haven’t been before - this is one not to miss!

Feb 10

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Feb 02

JFS refuses to meet with LGBT alumni

Keshet UK is disappointed that the headteacher of JFS School has declined the request of LGBT alumni to meet with the school (letters to and from the school are reproduced below)

Dave Shaw, Co-Convenor of Keshet UK and an ex-JFS pupil, said: “We are pleased to hear from the headteacher that the school is currently conducting a review of “the school’s approach to the topic of homosexuality. We firmly believe that as a state-funded school, JFS, like all Jewish schools, must be able to demonstrate that it meets its statutory obligation to be proactive in preventing bullying on the basis of sexuality and create an environment where all students feel included.”

Keshet UK is now preparing a submission to help with our recommendations to inform JFS’s internal review. As February is LGBT History Month, Keshet UK will be delivering teacher’s packs for every teacher at the school and we hope that this will be a valuable resource that the school will make use of.

Finally Keshet UK will also be reaching out to all Jewish secondary schools to understand how they are proactive in preventing homophobic and transphobic bullying and create an environment where all students feel included.

Keshet UK is to make an ‘It Gets Better Video’ on the 5th February for more information or to find out how you can get involved in our work please email dave@gayjewsinlondon.com.

Letter to JFS from LGBT Alumni

23rd January 2012

Dear Mr Miller,

We are writing to you as a collective of JFS alumni who identify as both Jewish and LGBT. Obviously, this letter has been prompted by the Jewish Chronicle’s coverage of a sixth form Jewish Studies lesson on homosexuality.

We recognise that there are conflicting reports of the content of that lesson and as we were not present, we do not wish to judge whether the class was appropriate. However, we greatly appreciate the communication to parents confirming that the school does not teach that homosexuality can be cured, nor that it endorses in any way the views of JONAH. We are also comforted that you say the school does not tolerate homophobia in any form.

Whilst the JC and your letter primarily concentrates on the particulars of one lesson, we think this is an opportune moment for us to discuss in a more general sense the way the school addresses the issue of homosexuality.

JFS always taught us to evaluate all situations we are placed in and make rational decisions based on all the available information. This was taught across all disciplines to ensure we were best prepared for our academic, professional and personal lives. We are all proud to have attended JFS and are distressed that the school’s great reputation has been brought into disrepute.

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or your colleagues at your earliest possible convenience to discuss this topic in an informal, off the record manner. We think it would be beneficial to talk about the options available for students who identify as LGBT or are struggling with same-sex attractions whilst concurrently retaining their Jewish identities.

With very best wishes,

Adam Davidi (2002), Benjamin Cohen (2000), Dalia Fleming (2007), Dave Shaw (2004) and Sam Cohen (1990)

Letter from JFS to LGBT Alumni

Dear Mr Shaw

Thank you for your original email of 23 January and your subsequent email of 30 January, which I received today.

Yours was one of a number of letters I received following the publication of the Jewish Chronicle on Friday 20 January. Some of these have been critical of the School but many have been critical of the newspaper article. Both current students and alumni are distressed and angry at what was said about JFS.

As you recognise in your first email, there are indeed differing reports of the lesson that was highlighted by the Jewish Chronicle. The facts are that the Jewish Chronicle article was seriously flawed and I have been misquoted. This has itself led some correspondants to be upset by what it was alleged I said, rather than the reality at JFS today.

We believe it is appropriate, in a Jewish School, to ensure that students have the opportunity of considering important topics during their Jewish Studies lessons and we do not shirk from our responsibility of addressing these matters in an open forum. These lessons, as alumni will recall, feature lively discussion and debate.

We also believe it is appropriate to explore such topics via Health Education Seminars - not mentioned by the Jewish Chronicle - organised in conjunction with external organisations such as the Jewish Aids Trust, JAT. We also have a Student Welfare Officer who is available, on a confidential basis, for all students - and I know that students grappling with issues of their own sexuality have approached her to discuss this subject. I mention this to try and demonstrate that matters are not as one-dimensional as presented.

There are doubtless students who, unfortunately, have unhappy memories of their time at JFS for a variety of different reasons. For some adolescents grappling with their sexuality is challenging in any environment. Clearly my wish is that all students remember JFS with fondness and affection irrespective of any personal challenges they face and I continue to work to ensure that JFS is a welcoming and positive environment for all our students. I will be reviewing our approach to the topic of homosexuality at the School in the light of recent events. The perspectives I have read in all the recent correspondance will be helpful in that regard. I am going to decline your offer to meet but, if you wish to write with further thoughts, your views will be respected and considered fully. I hope that this review will benefit our approach, without the division and discord which has been the main result of the article so far.

Yours sincerely

Jonathan Miller

Dec 13

Keshet UK 2011: A year of progress

This Forum, known as Keshet UK, brings together LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) Jewish groups, initiatives and activists in an atmosphere of respect and diversity. This Forum is a space to share, develop and promote knowledge, information, learning and resources. It facilitates discussion and collaborative work. It offers support and fosters innovation. In so doing, it empowers people and organisations to achieve full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex & questioning Jews in the UK.

We know that things have been quiet in recent months, but that is because the team has been busy working behind the scenes to get things done! We hope that this newsletter will give you a bit of an overview of what is going on now – and a taste of what’s yet to come!

What has been achieved in 2011?

Compilation of a calendar encompassing all events run by constituent groups. This has ensured that events do not conflict with each other and has seen an increase in membership numbers across all groups and more people at more events!
Successful campaigning to the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues to allow same sex couples to be buried together in Jewish cemeteries.
Strong presence at London Pride 2011, with activities for Jews of all ages and genders.
Over 25 LGBT interest sessions running at Limmud Conference 23^rd – 29^th December 2011.

What projects are currently being worked on?

Welfare sub-group is currently developing the strategy for the mapping of facilities and networks in order to provide help and support to Jewish LGBT people in the UK. The next stage is writing to Jewish institutions such as schools, care homes and youth groups to find out what their official policies are in caring for those that identify as LGBT and their compliance with British law.
Research sub-group are working on a comprehensive survey that will chart the demographics of LGBT Jews in the UK. This will scope the needs of the community as well as attempt to engage those that have felt isolated to date.
Drafting of copy for phase two of www.keshetuk.org
Discussions with Jewish Activities in Mainstream Schools (JAMS) in planning a series of activities and workshops engaging Jewish LGBT students at non-Jewish schools.

Events for the end of 2011

JGLG World Aids Day Chavurah, Friday 25^th November, led this year by Rabbi Irit Shillor. Service starts at 7.30pm, followed an hour later by Kiddush and supper. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share. The group are proud to welcome Janine Clements from JAT as the after-dinner speaker to talk about the work of JAT and also update us about HIV/AIDS.
JGLG Fund Raising Supper Quiz, Saturday 26^th November in Finchley. LAST FEW TICKETS are only £15 and are exclusively available by emailing president@jglg.org.uk The supper will be fish and chips although vegetarian/vegan alternatives will be available on request.
GJIL Chanukah party, Monday 26^th December (Boxing Day) at private residence in NW6. Theme ‘Rabbis & Rent Boys’. £7 in fancy dress, £12 if not. STRICTLY GUEST LIST ONLY.http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/gayjewsinlondon/ or email steven@gayjewsinlondon.com
BKY’s student rabbi Rene Pfertzel is starting a discussion group for Jewish gay men of all ages. The first meeting will be in December. Email rpfertzel@yahoo.fr for more information.
25 LGBT interest sessions running at Limmud Conference at Warwick University, 23^rd – 29^th December. These include:

- Out of the Closet but Still in the Community: Inclusion for LGBT Jews in Britain: A conversation about how Jewish institutions such as schools, JCCs and synagogues can take positive steps to create welcoming spaces for LGBT Jews, with Atira Winchester, Programme Manager, Jewish Community Centre for London; Laura Janner-Klausner, Movement Rabbi, Movement for Reform Judaism; Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, Head teacher, JCoSS; Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi, Assembly of Masorti Synagogues
- Torah Queeries: Gregg Drinkwater focuses on the creation stories in Genesis and questions what this means for our understanding of gender
- Queer Jewish history, 1890-1945: covering a wide range of characters, with a special focus on Jacob Israel de Haan, Jiri Langer, Gertrude Stein, Magnus Hirschfeld, Alla Nazimova, Claude Cahun (aka Lucie Schwob), Karl M. Baer, and Emma Goldman.
- Abba and Daddy, Mummy and Ima: the growth of same-sex Jewish parenting in the UK and overseas
- Keshet UK 1 year on: an update on the work of the new organisation and a chance to contribute to its 2012 priorities
- David Brody, on successfully suing the Quebec government for the survivor pension for same-sex couples.
- Plus LGBT-related films and dedicated social spaces for LGBT people to meet up each day of the week.

This is only a very small proportion of the LGBT-related programming at Limmud this year - it promises to be a very exciting week and it would be great to see loads of people from JGLG, Keshet, GJIL and BKY there. For more details, see www.limmud.org/conference. The detailed programme will be going online there shortly.

Getting Involved

Keshet UK relies on the hard work and dedication of volunteers to achieve its goals and there is loads more to do. If you would like to be involved by giving some time to any of the projects, no matter how small, we would love to hear from you! Just contact coconvenors Ariel Friedlander and Dave Shaw by emailing ravaj@brandeis.edu or dave@gayjewsinlondon.com or by finding us here on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/KeshetUK

With very best wishes for a low-calorie Chanukah,

Ariel, Dave and the Keshet UK team