Also known as the “other” High Holiday season at BCC, today we mark the beginning of Pride Month, which is observed annually in June to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and honor the Stonewall Uprising.

As LGBTQIA+ Jews, we are familiar with the many layers of “coming out” to ourselves and our communities with all of our overlapping identities. Being our whole authentic selves is what we strive towards, what we welcome and bless at BCC all year long. We recognize ourselves being made in the image of the divine. During June, we join the LGBTQIA+ community all around the world in solidarity and empathy.

Celebrating all that we are, we welcome you to take advantage of the array of programming during this month and offer you these words from Deuteronomy: “Baruch Ata b'Voecha” - May you be blessed as you come in! May you be blessed as you come out! May you be blessed in all that you are.

Happy Pride,
Rabbi Jillian Cameron
Cantor Juval Porat
A rainbow flag with the shadow of a person behind it. Offset text reads: UPCOMING EVENTS
Key:
BCC Event
Non-BCC Event
Keshet and Hineni event: "The LGBTQ Future of the Jewish Community"
Tuesday 6/1 at 4 PM

Why do LGBTQ people in positions of community leadership matter? What is it like to be LGBTQ and to serve together with straight and cis people in Jewish life? What happens in a Jewish organization when out and proud LGBTQ people serve on boards or occupy other leadership roles, and what impact can this have on the future of the Jewish community?

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."
Pride Shabbat with JQ International and NuRoots
Friday 6/4 at 6 PM

Tune in with JQ and NuRoots for an engaging and festive Pride Shabbat LIVE! streaming experience, celebrating the values of Pikuach Nefesh (פקוח נפש‎), and our beautiful LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish community from Los Angeles and around the world.
Wir sind heir! We are here! Jewish and Queer from Germany to the U.S.
A conversation with Helene Shani Braun, Cantor Juval Porat and Rabbi Jillian R. Cameron
Tuesday 6/8 at 10 AM

Pride season is just around the corner and since the very beginning, Pride has been about LGBTQ people standing up against discrimination in the struggle for equality, shedding light on the unseen, building community, celebration, and joy.

In this tradition, we invite you to join us for a discussion on queer identity from a Jewish perspective across different countries and experiences: “Wir sind hier! We are here! Jewish and Queer from Germany to the U.S.”. The conversation will include Helene Shani Braun (Abraham Geiger College, Berlin), Cantor Juval Porat (Beth Chayim Chadashim Synagogue, Los Angeles), and moderated by Rabbi Jillian R. Cameron (Beth Chayim Chadashim Synagogue, Los Angeles).

Welcoming remarks by Consul General Stefan Schneider, German Consulate General Los Angeles.
Pride Shabbat with BCC
Friday 6/11 at 7:30 PM

Join us for Shabbat Services led by Rabbi Jillian Cameron and Cantor Juval Porat to joyfully welcome Shabbat through soulful song, prayer, creative teachings and communal connection.
Interfaith Pride Service
Sunday 6/13 at 12 PM

Join for our annual Interfaith Pride Worship Service that will bring together people of various faith traditions to share in unison our belief in the beauty and sacredness of Queerfolk - registration details coming soon!
Virtual Pride Seder with Sha'ar Zahav
Sunday 6/13 at 5 PM

Community Pride Seder, A Virtual Celebration of Queer Freedom — Pride Seder is a ritual that chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ people, much like the Passover Seder, which retells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people. Let’s come together with LGBTQ Jewish clergy, as well as civic and interfaith leaders, at this annual community event to remember that none of us are free until all of us are free.
The State of Trans Equality
Tuesday 6/22 at 7 PM

More than 100 bills targeting transgender individuals have been introduced in more than 30 states, making the current legislative period the darkest since the Human Rights Campaign that tracks these initiatives began its work 15 years ago. Join Temple Isaiah and Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim for a discussion about the origins of anti-trans legislation and what we can do to show our support for our trans family members, friends, and community members with Joey Hernandez, incoming Public Policy and Community Building Department Director at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Keshet event: International LGBTQ Pride Panel
Wednesday 6/23 at 9 AM

In honor of Pride Month, this panel will feature representatives from LGBTQ Jewish organizations KeshetUK, Guimel Mexico, Jewish Outlook South Africa, and of course, Keshet here in the U.S. Each organization will share their current successes and challenges working towards LGBTQ equality in their respective Jewish communities as well as their hopes for the future.

In addition to hearing from each featured organization, attendees will have a chance to ask questions, reflect on prompts, and learn how we can support LGBTQ equality in Jewish life in the U.S. and internationally. Join us to celebrate LGBTQ Pride month around the world!"
NYC Youth Pride
Saturday 6/26 at 3 PM

NYC Pride is excited to bring back Youth Pride, a celebration of and for LGBTQIA+ and ally teens, as a virtual gathering in 2021. For this year’s experience, NYC Pride has partnered with youth-focused LGBT centers, organizations, and programs nationwide to present the iconic annual Youth Pride virtual event. On Saturday, June 26, Young people everywhere can celebrate NYC Pride with their friends through musical performances, LGBTQIA+ center spotlights, DJ's, and a special ballroom segment.
You can now support BCC with our sweet, exclusive
PRIDE COLLECTION

At BCC, we are dedicated to growing and sustaining our synagogue family - virtually and in person. We are grateful to so many of you who share your time, wisdom and resources with our community.

Your continued support and generosity are critical. It allows us to ensure the breadth and depth of all we offer throughout the year, maintain our physical space, sustain our human resources and guarantee our place as a safe, progressive and vibrant LGBTQIA+ Jewish space in the Los Angeles community now and for generations to come. Thank you for your care and commitment to our beloved community.
A fair skinned man with dark hair kisses a darker complected man with dark hair. Both appear joyous and are carrying a pride flag. Offset text reads: LINKS AND RESOURCES
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is one of the largest and most experienced providers of LGBT health and mental healthcare, supported by a research team working to advance the care and treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
JQ International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies by transforming Jewish communities, and ensuring inclusion through education, support, and identity-enrichment.
NuRoots, from L.A.’s Jewish Federation, helps young adults find and make community across Los Angeles.
Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life.
CSW is partnering with Big Sunday. for the entire month of June to create Pride Makes a Difference, a 30-day calendar of events focused on volunteering, community service, and opportunities to donate time, goods and money to worthy causes that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, and Los Angeles nonprofits.
Nesh Magazine aims to be the world’s first publication about Queer Jewish people, culture, and issues. (Look out for features with BCC's clergy!)
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