J-Pride’s 2023 Pride Month events
By Isaac Ezra Jennings • J-Pride Program 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.
Recently, 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. 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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J-Pride Shabbat Potluck
Friday June 16 @ 6-8 p.m. | Minnehaha Falls (4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis)
Join J-Pride on Friday, June 16, at 6 p.m. for a Shabbat potluck! Bring a vegan/vegetarian dish to Minnehaha Falls (4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis) and welcome Shabbat with the J-Pride community! Registration is required for this event.
If you have any questions, please contact Isaac at ijennings@jfcsmpls.org
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/QRib4GkuWj
Calendar link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/j-pride-shabbat-potluck/
Pride Happy Hour (J-Pride + JCC)
Tuesday June 20 @ 5-8 p.m. | Black Hart of Saint Paul (1415 University Ave S, Saint Paul).
Join J-Pride and the Minnesota JCC for a Pride Happy Hour on June 20!
We’ll be at Black Hart of Saint Paul (1415 University Ave S, Saint Paul) from 5-8 p.m. Stop by for a drink on us!
If you have any questions, please contact Isaac at ijennings@jfcsmpls.org
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/pride-happy-hour-j-pride-jcc/
Twin Cities Pride Festival
Saturday, June 24 – Sunday, June 25 | Loring Park
Join J-Pride at Twin Cities Pride Festival!
We’ll be at booth P31 on both days of the festival this year! 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 contact Isaac at ijennings@jfcsmpls.org for more information.
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/j-pride-at-twin-cities-pride-festival/
Twin Cities Pride Shabbat
Saturday June 24 @ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join J-Pride at Loring Park on Saturday, June 24, for a Shabbat morning service at Twin Cities Pride, led by Rabbi Aaron Weininger of Adath Jeshurun. 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 Isaac at ijennings@jfcsmpls.org. ASL interpretation will be provided.
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/twin-cities-pride-shabbat/
Ashley Rukes Pride March
Sunday, June 25 @ 11 a.m.
The march will start at 11 a.m. More details to follow, but we encourage anyone and everyone interested in marching with us to sign up at our volunteer link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a8a823abfbc43-volunteer1#/!
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/ashley-rukes-pride-parade/
Story Time at Twin Cities Pride
Sunday, June 25 @ 3 p.m.
Come to the J-Pride booth (P31) 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
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/story-time-at-twin-cities-pride/
J-Pride Virtual Watch-Along: “The Birdcage”
Monday, June 26 @ 6-8:30 p.m. | Via Zoom
Wind down from Twin Cities Pride with a virtual movie night with J-Pride! Join us over Zoom on Monday, June 26, at 6 p.m. to watch “The Birdcage” (1996).
If you have any questions, please contact Isaac at ijennings@jfcsmpls.org
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83321337108?pwd=QkQwT282M1ZnVEJxSU9jZVNEVEIzUT09
Calendar Link: https://jfcsmpls.org/event/j-pride-virtual-watch-along-the-birdcage/
J-Pride social media links (@JPrideMN)