Jewish Mosaic is changing the Jewish world, providing essential data & information about GLBT people in the Jewish community, and putting out great work like Torah Queeries, a weekly commentary (& now book) on the Torah portion from a queer perspective. They are valuable allies and change agents in the Jewish world!
The have been instrumental in empowering LGBTQ Jews- religious, secular, cultural, and any combination- in making challenging, supportive, empowering, and healing communities and contexts to be both Queer, Jewish, Jewishly Queer, and Queered Jewish.
Jewish Mosaic provides substantive education for the GLBT community and allies through its newsletter, Torah Queeries, and other resources. They are a great collaborative partner. Our organization worked with them on an extremely successful Pride Shabbat, and we are planning for future programs together. Mosaic is an invaluable resource.
They are an incredibly necessary GLBT pioneer in the Jewish community in Denver. They've put on some wonderful programs, and I look forward to many more in the future. I helped start a Jewish GLBT social group here which lasted for about 4 or 5 years, and Mosaic really stepped in and picked up where we left off. Thanks Jewish Mosaic.
Jewish Mosaic is an outstanding, mission-driven organization that has made a significant contribution toward the greater project of making Judaism relevant and welcoming for all Jews (even for those who don't realize it). I have availed myself of their immense collection of resources (human and material), been inspired by their leaders -- Gregg Drinkwater and Karen Erlichman, in particular -- and been moved to act in solidarity with LGBTQ Jews on sanctifying and legalizing same-sex marriage, transgender inclusion and other issues thanks to the advocacy and educational efforts of Jewish Mosaic.
I am a rabbi in Denver who works for a non-profit that specializes in outreach to many under-served Jewish constituencies including Jewish GLBTs. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Jewish Mosaic for a Pride Shabbat service and celebration and hope for more opportunities to join forces. I also frequent Jewish Mosaic's website for information and perspectives that help me more effectivly serve Jewish GLBTs. And I deeply appreciate Torah Queeries, their weekly Torah commentary. What a great addition to the Jewish people's relationship with Torah!
my experiences with jewish mosaic stem mostly from the research work they have done and published. I participated in their 2nd study here in denver, and encouraged other leadership members from our community to do so as well. Additionally, I am enriched every week with Torah Queeries and feel more connected to the Jewish happenings by receiving their weekly email. Additionally, as the president of the board at my synagogue, I often referred to their website for information. I have made a donation, but it was quite modest. Addtionally I was asked, but was unable, to help lead a shabbat service for one of their events. I have been so impressed with the overall vision of Jewish Mosaic, and their ability to forge connections and relationships in the Denver community and nationwide as well. Every interaction I have had with their staff has impressed me.
I am a rabbi in one of the communities Jewish Mosaic serves, and have seen a variety of their important work. For example, their efforts played a big part in having a survey done of needs among LGBT Jews in the area, which is groundbreaking and much-needed.
I have worked with Jewish Mosaic as a collaborating organization on a variety of projects related to LGBT Rights and social justice including a campaign fro marriage equality (culminating with working to try to defeat Proposition8 inn California), addressing transgender inclusion in the Jewish community, and LGBT inclusion. I have also partiicipatd as an author in their recently published groundbreaking volume, Torah Queeries."
Jewish Mosaic is a unique and vital resource for all Jews and Jewish communities, bringing the best of academics and activism to the Jewish world. Their commitment to tradition, inclusion, innovation, and equity is a part of everything they do. Their projects and resources provide a critical voice for LGBTQI Jews and their allies, and serve as a model for all Jews seeking active and meaningful engagement with their heritage. The impact of Jewish Mosaic is both global and highly personal; they set a standard for scholarship and inquiry that stands as a model for all Jewish organizations.
Producing amazing programs in the Rocky Mountain region for LGBT Jews, Jews interested in social justice, and for the whole community that push people to think about what an inclusive Jewish community really means. JM also conducts the most current research in the Jewish community related to LGBT issues having done studies nationally, in New York, San Francisco, Colorado, and elsewhere.
I've been involved with Jewish Mosaic for a number of years, first as a friend, then as a member of the Advisory Board and now as chair of the Board. It's a particular privilege: to paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr., the destiny and freedom of all Jews is bound up in the destiny and freedom of LGBT Jews; the dignity of one is the dignity of all. And the Jewish community cannot hope to advance the cause of human rights based on the principle of "tzelem Elohim" (that every human being is created in the image of G@d) if we cannot address the inequity and injustice pervasive in our own house.