Bnai Keshet and the grassroots LGBT Jewish organization Keshet have joined forces and accepted a grant to increase awareness, inclusion, and integration of LGBT families and youth in the Jewish community. We are planning a yearlong program of community events to celebrate our LGBT community, discuss the current state of LGBT inclusion in the Jewish community, and learn about the issues currently confronting LGBT youth in our communities.

November 18, 7-9:30pm Screening of the film "Hineni" and panel discussion. "Hineni" tells the story of a teenage girl coming out in a Jewish high school.

Sunday, January 31, 1-3:30pm Keshet Community Training at Bnai Keshet, for community members, teachers, youth group leaders, and others who work with youth. Includes lunch.

February 2016: Guest speaker

March 9, 7-9:30pm Keshet film screening and panel discussion. Film tba.

May 2016: Scholar in Residence

Keshet is a national grassroots organization that works for the full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Jews in Jewish life. Led and supported by LGBT Jews and straight allies, Keshet strives to cultivate the spirit and practice of inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community. They began as a small, grassroots group working for change in the Greater Boston area, and are now a national organization with a west coast office in the Bay Area in addition to the national office in Boston.

Their work is guided by a vision of a world where all Jewish organizations and communities are strengthened by LGBTQ-inclusive policy, programming, culture, and leadership and where Jews of all sexual orientations and gender identities can live fully integrated Jewish lives.