J-Pride celebrates Pride Month
By Hunter Wengersky • J-Pride Coordinator
Happy Pride month everyone! Each year throughout the month of June, communities across the world come together to celebrate the contributions and continued existence of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Last year, the Human Rights Campaign declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ due to the spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being proposed and passed across the country. Since then, more than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law across the country. This year, it is perhaps more necessary than ever that the community come together to celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, families, and neighbors. It is necessary that those of us in the LGBTQ+ community celebrate ourselves too.
The J-Pride program here at JFCS works year-round to help create community through Queer-focused Jewish programming for LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies throughout the Twin Cities. It is our hope that our work can help LGBTQ+ Jews across the Twin Cities form a stronger Queer Jewish identity and help further create community by building social, ritual, and educational program opportunities designed through a Queer lens.
Read on to see the events we have planned to celebrate Queer Jewishness here in the Twin Cities. Join us at an upcoming event to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals across the Twin Cities, the nation, and the world!
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Pride Happy Hour
Tuesday, June 4 @ 6-8 p.m. | LynLake Brewery 2934 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis
Join J-Pride for a Pride Happy Hour on June 4!
We’ll be at LynLake Brewery (2934 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis) from 6-8 p.m. Stop by for a drink and snacks on us!
If you have any questions, please contact Hunter @ Hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/pride-happy-hour/
Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Tuesday, June 11, through Wednesday, June 12 @ 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. | Shir Tikvah (1360 W Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis)
Join a group of Twin Cities Jewish communities and organizations for an all-night festival of learning, imagination, and cheesecake.
This is a hybrid event. The in-person event is held at Shir Tikvah, and on Zoom here.
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/tikkun-leil-shavuot/
Walker Art Museum Guided Tour
Sunday, June 16 @ 2 p.m. | 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis
Join J-Pride on a guided tour at the Walker! We’ll be viewing the new Keith Haring exhibit and learning about other LGBTQ+ artists.
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/walker-art-museum-guided-tour/
If you would like to attend, but ticket costs would prove a hardship, please reach out to Hunter at hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org
Temple Israel Erev Shabbat Pride Service with Guest Speaker Jae Bates: To Be A Blessing: Fostering Queer Imagination
Saturday, June 21 | 6 p.m.
In-person and online
Join us on Zoom or Livestream on Temple Israel’s Facebook page
To join by phone, dial 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 896 264 150 68
Celebrate Pride Shabbat with guest speaker Jae Bates. Jae is a Queer, transgender youth worker, storyteller, and scholar. His professional roles, scholarly research, and personal passions intersect where narrative storytelling, liberation, and healing meet. Jae recently competed in the Moth Grand Slam and received past recognition for spoken word and narrative storytelling. He lives in St. Paul with his partner and their beloved (but stinky) dog. In his rare but precious free time, Jae enjoys rock climbing, building LEGO, and reading a good memoir.
Mount Zion: Pride Shabbat! Guest Speaker: Arion Wallen
Saturday, June 21 | 6 p.m.
In-person and online
During Summer Services, our online services will only be available on Livestream on mzion.org or Facebook Live!
Celebrate Pride Shabbat with guest speaker, Arion Wallen, who grew up at Mount Zion and has sung in our choirs and served as a madrich in our religious school, will be speaking about his experience at the Keshet Midwest Shabbaton for Pride Shabbat.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
Saturday, June 29, through Sunday, June 30 | Loring Park, Minneapolis
Join J-Pride at Twin Cities Pride Festival!
We’ll be at booth 63 on both days of the festival! Stop by and say hi, answer trivia, get a prize, and learn about the incredible things J-Pride and JFCS have to offer!
We are seeking volunteers to help staff the booth and march with us in the Ashley Rukes Pride Parade on Sunday morning! Sign up here If you have any questions, please reach out to Hunter @ hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org
Twin Cities Pride Shabbat
Saturday, June 29 @ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join J-Pride at Loring Park on Saturday, June 29, for a Shabbat morning service at Twin Cities Pride, led by Rabbi Aaron Weininger of Adath Jeshurun and co-led by Rabbi Heather Renetzky. Gather with us at the Rainbow Stage from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to celebrate Shabbat and Pride together. Kippot and Tallitot (ritual garments) from Heritage Judaica will be available for those who would like them. If you are interested in reading Torah as part of the service, please contact Hunter at hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org. ASL interpretation will be provided.
Twin Cities Pride Parade
Sunday, June 30 @ 11 a.m.
Join J-Pride as we celebrate LGBTQ+ Jewishness by marching with us in the Twin Cities Pride Parade on Sunday morning, an iconic event renowned as one of the largest Pride parades in the United States. With a vibrant procession down Hennepin Avenue, this annual extravaganza draws over 200,000 cheering supporters to champion LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility. Join us as we march forward, spreading joy, acceptance, and empowerment for all.
The parade starts at Third St. and Hennepin Avenue and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce.
RSVP here to join us: https://bit.ly/J-Pride-Volunteer
Story Time at Twin Cities Pride
Sunday, June 30 @ 3 p.m.
Come to the J-Pride booth at 3 p.m. for a story time in the grass, courtesy of PJ Library of Minneapolis and J-Pride! Pride flags and temporary tattoos will be available for the kiddos! If you have any questions, contact Geri at ggoldman@jfcsmpls.org