Celebrate Pride with the Den!
June is National LGBTQ+ Pride Month
We are excited to offer gatherings + classes at the Den, as well as events + resources from throughout the Greater Washington Jewish community.
Classes + Gatherings:
Queering the Torah: Pride Play + Learn
Wednesday, June 1 • 7:00-9:00pm
Queering the Torah means we explore all things Jewish (texts, sources, traditions, rituals, etc) through the lens of LGBTQIA+ identities. Through this exploration, our aims are to connect our queer identities to our Judaism, to create a safe space for sharing, and to establish a sense of community, camaraderie, and belonging. Join Rabbi Jenna to kick off Pride month with a night of playful learning! We will play board games and explore how games, playfulness, and pride are positive traits that are present in Judaism. This experience is designed specifically for folks who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This gathering will be held in Arlington. Sign up here by May 30th.
Pride Shabbat @ Washington Hebrew Congregation
Friday, June 2 • 6:00-9:00pm
Join in prayer, song, laughter, and commitment as we kick off pride with Washington Hebrew at their Pride Shabbat! Families of all kinds and kids/teens are welcome; games and activities will be provided! Eats from Little Sesame + more, plus an Open Bar will be offered before and after the service, starting at 6PM. Gluten free + vegetarian/vegan options will be available. At the oneg (festive dessert reception) after the service, you will be able to rejoice with friends and learn more about local organizations that serve the Jewish community. Sign up here by June 1st.
Monthly Wisdom + Wellness Circle (Pride Edition!)
Sunday, June 11 • 10:00-11:30am
A unique experience to holistically care for ourselves - mind, body, and soul through text study, exploring different wellness practices, and connection to Jewish ritual and wisdom. Together we will cultivate a space for quiet reflection, thoughtful introspection, healing, and meaningful connection. Join Rabbi Jenna for this Wellness Circle, focused on celebrating the pride and joy of embracing our true, authentic selves. Happy Pride month! All are welcome! This circle will be held in-person in DC. Sign up here by June 9th.
Shabbat Schmooze: Eat, Play, Learn (Pride Edition!)
Saturday, June 17 • 2:00-4:00pm
Shabbat afternoon in the spring + summer is wonderfully long. Shabbat afternoon is a time for learning, singing, hanging out - whatever brings us joy and makes space to soak up the hours of Shabbat! Join us to create a meaningful, relaxing Shabbat experience together. The Den will bring challah and a bit of this week’s Parashah (Torah portion) to learn; everyone is invited to bring blankets, snacks, board/card games, frisbees, etc. Come ready to relax and enjoy Shabbat in community; All are welcome! We will meet at a park in Maryland. Sign up here by June 15th.
Resources:
GLOE - Celebrate Pride with the LGBTQ community at the DC JCC. They have events, opportunities to participate in Capital Pride, and fun merch!
Exploring Judaism - The digital home for Conservative Judaism, this page is dedicated to Torah on queer topics, from voices within LGBTQ+ community.
Beyond the Gender Binary ~ Online History Course: For 50+ years, feminist, trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer thinkers have unsettled the foundational belief of modern Western culture: that there are only two sexes, whose physical + psychological characteristics are obvious, knowable, and inherent within the body each person is born into. In this course, JWA asks: How was the gender binary constructed? How does it change our understanding of history to bring a Jewish, queer, and trans lens to historical sources? How can archives expand the current conversation about gender and Judaism?
the Den’s Resource Page - Check out our page for additional LGBTQ+ organizations and resources