Hide Details Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Senior Editor of the new book Kulanu, (All of Us) A Program for Congregations Implementing Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Inclusion discusses practical tips for congregation to become a welcoming synagogue at this Department of Jewish Family Concerns sponsored seminar.

Hide Details All too often the points of intersection between the LGBT movement and religion are fraught with tumult and mistrust. After all, the Religious Right is the strongest opponent of LGBT equality. What is the current landscape of religion in America and how are our religious opponents impeding our progress? How are religious allies and LGBT people of faith countering our opponents and working to present their own message of inclusion and affirmation? What do these religious organizing counter efforts look like and how can we support them?

Hide Details Models of Pride is a free one-day conference that focuses on the concerns and interests of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer youth, and allies, ages 14 to 23. It is sponsored by Friends of Project 10.

Dr Joel L. Kushner, Roundtable Discussion Facilitator

Hide Details The Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center (JHVRC) on Sexual Orientation Issues and Gender in Congregations and the Jewish Community is a web-based learning environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues (LGBT) in Judaism for the 21st century. This unique electronic compendium of Jewish texts and commentaries, frequently asked questions, case studies, LGBT liturgy and ritual, and scholarly articles is a significant tool to support research and study. With increasing user feedback, the site evolves in terms of what it offers on the intersection of Judaism, Sexual Orientation and Gender.

Hide Details Where: Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality in the Berkshires Hills of Falls Village, Connecticut.

About: Nehirim is a Spiritual Initiative for GLBT Jews to create innovative programming, build community, and offer authentic, life-affirming spiritual paths for Jewish members of sexual or gender minorities. The 4th annual Nehirim retreat is a weekend of community, spirituality, fun, and personal growth. We daven, meditate, learn, eat, relax, do yoga, socialize together as a community. Participants are aged 18 to 78; gay, trans, lesbian, and bi; orthodox and atheist. Being a queer Jew today is a blessing, come and claim your heritage!

Cost: $235 including room & board. Generous financial aid is available.

To register: Online at www.jewishretreatcenter.org or call 800-398-2630

More information: www.nehirim.org

The Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity is a co-sponsor of this event.

Hide Details Out and Faithful is an interfaith panel discussion series that is a joint project between the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. This panel will look at various forms of love, including agapeic love &nash; love that comes from compassion for the world and leads to social justice, erotic love and the trust and openness that is necessary for romantic love to flourish. Who are your role models for love? Is there love outside of long-term relationships? How do our various kinds of love compete: love for our parents and siblings, love for our friends, love for our lovers? How does the LGBT community foster love?

Dr. Joel Kushner moderates the series that brings together LGBT Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and those of other faith traditions to discuss and explore spiritual and religious issues and concerns. One significant theme examined will be the common and divergent struggles LGBT people face in building and maintaining spiritual integrity within both supportive and hostile environments. This series was originally pioneered by the New York Gay and Lesbian Center.

Hide Details Participants in this seminar learned about the curriculum resources of the Tartak Learning Center and the inclusion resources of the Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity, including text study, youth group programs on prejudice and stereotypes, resources for parents of LGBT kids, how to do a same gender marriage ceremony, or bris or divorce and much more.

Hide Details Out and Faithful is an interfaith panel discussion series that is a joint project between the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. This Open House Faith Fair is for welcoming and affirming places of worship to introduce our community to a variety of religious traditions and spiritual paths that are welcoming and affirming to LGBT people in the greater Los Angeles area. Participants learned about the many places where they can pray, chant, sing and worship that embrace and celebrate all sexual orientations and gender identities. These are the spiritual homes that we all rely on to give our lives depth and meaning, and for many of us to provide with additional avenues for developing community and life-long friendship.

Dr. Joel Kushner moderates the series that brings together LGBT Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and those of other faith traditions to discuss and explore spiritual and religious issues and concerns. One significant theme examined will be the common and divergent struggles LGBT people face in building and maintaining spiritual integrity within both supportive and hostile environments. This series was originally pioneered by the New York Gay and Lesbian Center.