How is this June different from all other Junes?

Hello J-Pride family,

How is this June different from all other Junes? At this time in years past I would be running around to events with all your beautiful faces sharing food, singing, celebrating, and getting ready for a weekend in the park with you. And this June, we are not gathering in the park. For so many reasons, we are spending our time taking care of each other in new ways. We are mourning. We are marching. We are cooking and supporting and cleaning up. We are demanding justice and an end to systemic oppression and racism.

Over the course of June, traditionally Pride month, I have seen many step up to demand justice for George Floyd and his family, feed each other, donate money and food and supplies, physically distance, and join us week after week to sing for Havdalah. Our queer and Jewish community has been in the streets, the kitchens, the clean-up crews, the community spaces, the Zoom meetings, and the mutual aid sites.

The practice of Pride is a practice of resiliency. It’s reminding us that we show up for each other, love each other, and take care of each other. Pride is a state of mind, not a place. It means that we reflect on ourselves, and the ways racism and oppression lives within our own bodies. It means demanding better of ourselves, and our world. Our communal celebration of Pride began when Black and Brown drag queens and community members fought back for the safety of their community. There is no Pride without demanding justice and placing ourselves in the context of our histories as Jews, and centering the experiences of Black Jews and other Jews of Color. There is no Pride without affirming that Black lives matter.

Pride continues to be a communal reaffirmation of our right to live safely and freely, and to take care of each other. And this year, more than ever, I see our J-Pride community doubling down on that commitment. To be there for each other, support each other and those most vulnerable in our communities, and call out for a more just and whole world.

Join us over the course of this month for a whole new kind of Pride month:

6:15 p.m. Friday, June 12 – We’ll join our friends at Mayim Rabim for a service
Tuesday, June 23 – We’ll connect for open community space (in place of our happy hour)
10 a.m. Saturday, June 27 – We’ll still gather (virtually) for a Shabbat and healing service

I invite you to bring yourself, your resiliency, pride and heartbreak. Your fear and your hope. There is space here for all of you.

In the meantime, take good care of each other –
Jayce

J-Pride has built a virtual stage to share our stories – through words, photos, art, dance, music and video. This is our showcase of how we celebrate ourselves, our identity, our Pride. This is our 2020 LGBTQIA+ Jewish community Pride Parade! Please join the parade and celebrate with us in community ! You can submit your entries here: https://forms.gle/6qwpncGab92TNZeXA.