jaymichaelson.net » sexuality/glbt

A Jewish Evening of Love

Jay — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:24:01 +0000

Tu B’Av: An Ancient and Contemporary Jewish Day of Love

It’s the beginning of the grape harvest in ancient Israel. In the glow of a full summer moon, young women, robed in white, dance before the young men working in the vineyards.

That’s how Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel described Tu b’Av in the Mishnah, the first post-biblical sacred Jewish text (compiled and edited in the end of the second century):”There were no happier times for the people of Israel than the Fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur, since on these days the daughters of Israel/Jerusalem go out dressed in white and dance in the vineyards, saying: ÒYoung men, consider whom you are about to choose (to be your wife).” (Taanit 4.8)

Tu b’Av literally means the fifteenth day of the Jewish month of Av. In ancient Israel it served as a matchmaking day. In modern Israel, it has become a Jewish Day of Love, celebrated with dance festivals and dedicating songs on the radio. Tu b’Av is popular for weddings, commitment ceremonies, renewal of vows and proposing. It is a day for enhancing current relationships or defining anew what one is looking for in a partner.

To celebrate, Denver’s “Judaism Your Way” is creating an evening with nationally acclaimed teachers Jay Michaelson (teaching on “Sacred Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition”) and Rabbi Tirzah Firestone. Sacred Dancing with Eyal Rivlin. Food for the Mood A late night Jewish Love Cabaret with Carla Sciaky, Bat Kol, and poetry performance by Jay Michaelson.

Click here to register

Human Rights Campaign Summer Institute

Russ — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:54:30 +0000

The HRC Summer Institute is developed to encourage and promote LGBTQ and allied students pursuing religious studies and theological scholarship. It is open to students at the final stages of the MA, MDiv, and early stages of PhD and ThD work in the United States. Recognizing that all students doing advanced scholarly work in LGBT religious and theological studies do not fit conventional degree-granting institutional models, we will also consider those working outside traditional degree granting programs.

The Institute will function as an intensive workshop/course designed to encourage and empower students working on LGBT studies who are interested in seeing the connection between their work and LGBT justice. The program will bring together well-known scholars and theologians to serve as instructors and mentors on themes related to LGBT religious and theological studies and hermeneutics; public theology and advocacy; justice work at the intersections of identities; religious pluralism and queer studies.

Jay will be joining Institute directors Dr. Rebecca Alpert from Temple University and Dr. Ken Stone from Chicago Theological Seminary. More information: http://www.hrc.org/seminaryscholarship/summer_institute.asp

Nehirim East Retreat, June 4-6th

Russ — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:22:21 +0000

Nehirim East is Nehirim’s flagship retreat, bringing together over one hundred LGBT Jews from around the country to the beautiful Isabella Freedman Retreat Center in Connecticut. This year directed by Dr. Zvi Bellin, Nehirim East is a unique weekend of spirituality and community: workshops, great food, sports & swimming, a pluralistic community (Orthodox to atheist, teens to 70s, with non-Jewish partners welcome), and plenty of time to connect and meet new people.

This year, our 6th Annual East Coast Retreat, features familiar faces (Jay Michaelson, Becky Emet, Rabbi Joel Alter) and new ones (Rabbis Sue Levi Elwell, Alissa Wise, Ilana Kramer, and Aaron Katz). As always we will have inspiring prayer services, dynamic spiritual and intellectual workshops, and delicious food.

Nehirim West: A Weekend Retreat for GLBT Jews

Russ — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:33:41 +0000

Nehirim West is a weekend of community-building, spirituality, culture, activism, and fun for GLBT Jews, partners, and allies. Rates begin at $200 including room & board. Jay will be directing the retreat.

Nehirim West features:

- A truly diverse community: ranging in age from 18-73, orthodox to atheist; gay men, lesbians, genderqueers, bisexuals, transgender folk, straight allies; singles, families, couples (including many non-Jewish partners); radical faeries and nice Jewish boys; suits and radicals; this is a community like no other.

- Spirituality from traditional shabbat davening to meditation, yoga, and dance; Hasidic melodies and alternative ritual; secular Torah study and honoring the Divine Feminine. No Hebrew knowledge required.

- Workshops and seminars featuring a wide range of teachers, community members, and facilitators. Workshop topics range from political activism to personal narrative, Jewish text study to performance.

Details, registration, pricing, and more information:
http://www.nehirim.org/west

Introduction to the Gay Spirituality Movement

Jay — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:51:41 +0000

In the last thirty years, gay men from a variety of religious traditions have attempted to create a “gay spirituality movement” based on the distinctive perspectives of the gay male experience. In this workshop, we will explore some of the leading exponents of this movement, including Harry Hay, Toby Johnson, and Christian de la Huerta, as well as some of my own ideas on the subject. Are there special gifts to being gay? Or does the question suppose an essentialism that we might prefer to avoid?

Why Gay Rights is a Religious Issue

margaret — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:12:37 +0000

The Christian Right has succeeded in characterizing opposition to rights as a religious issue — but what about support of gay rights? Unlike African-American civil rights, for example, gay rights is rarely seen as a religious imperative, as a moral rather than purely liberal/constitutional cause. Yet this is tactically, ethically, and spiritually disastrous. In fact, there are several reasons why, if one is religious, one should be for equality for sexual minorities. This evening, we’ll discuss at least ten of them.

Women who Rub: The Rabbis Talk About Lesbians

Jay — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:33:56 +0000

In this text study session, Jay provides a close look at the rabbinic sources discussing female homosexuality. Click here for an excellent set of notes based on the session.

Kinky Jews Literary Evening

Russ — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:32:27 +0000

This sexy, cutting-edge Judaic reading series is back with a whole new batch of authors ready to stimulate you. The lineup for March 22 features Wayne Hoffman, Ronnie Koenig, Phil S. Stein, Lisa Beth Kovetz, Felice Shays and Jay Michaelson.

After the Flood, the Rainbow: A Healing Service for GLBT Jews

Russ — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:28:16 +0000

Join faculty members of Nehirim & Keshet for an informal evening of ritual, healing, and talking about gays and lesbians and the organized Jewish community, its members & denominations. Many in the LGBTQ community have felt wounded by their ‘movements of origin’ as they came out and searched for an accepting Jewish community. Recently, many Jews have felt a sense of disconnect or even despair in the wake of the recent debates about homosexuality. Informed by current events, this evening will not be a debate about the issues. Rather, participants will experience 90 minutes of stories, song, and ritual to begin the healing process for LGBTQ Jews, and their families, friends and allies. Co-sponsored by the JCC in Manhattan.

The 2007 Nehirim Retreat for GLBT Jews

Russ — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:21:28 +0000

Click here for more information about this unique event for GLBT Jews and their allies.