UK Community and JLC members host global Jewish Agency LGBTQ partnership

The Global Jewish LGBTQ partnership held their inaugural three day summit in London this week. The partnership, a programme of the Jewish Agency for Israel, was hosted by KeshetUK and JLC members JW3, the Jewish Museum London, Jami Headroom Café and Masorti Judaism at New London Synagogue.

 The 24 participants hail from 9 countries including Britain, the United States of America, Israel, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil and Mexico, representing 13 organisations.

On Monday attendees heard from veteran British LGBTQ Jewish leader Jack Gilbert on sharing the experience of the LGBTQ Jewish community around the world. 

JW3 Chief Executive Raymond Simonson shared the JW3 story on furthering inclusion of LGBTQ Jews and learnt from the experiences of attendees He spoke alongside social activist, Vadim Blumin, of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

 Shereen Hunte & Emma Crew of the Jewish Museum London led a tour of the museum and explored how the museum curates and celebrates the diversity of UK Jewish life.

Dalia Fleming and Robin Moss, Chief Executive and Chair of KeshetUK shared the story of Keshet UK’s formation and work towards delivering change within the UK Jewish community. They spoke about the ground-breaking guide that was coproduced with Chief Rabbi Mirvis and heard about the ongoing impact it is having to reduce harm in orthodox communities in the UK. Participants discussed the impact the Guide is continuing to have around the world.

On Tuesday at Jamis Headroom Café, the Summit heard from mental health charity Jami’s CEO Laurie Rackind on how Jami incorporates LGBTQ experiences into their service provision and later with JLC Co-CEO Michelle Janes on tackling tough conversations.

Later that evening New London Synagogue in St Johns Wood hosted the group for a reception with Jewish leaders.

On Wednesday, the final day of the summit, UJIA Chief Executive Mandie Winston facilitated a conversation on working and surviving in challenging cultural environments.

Pnina Agenyahu, Director Partnership2Gether Global Network at the Jewish Agency for Israel said:

“The Jewish Agency for Israel were honoured to welcome 24 leaders of 14 Jewish LGBTQ organizations from 9 countries around the world (USA, Brazil, Mexico, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Israel to London. Connecting Jews from around the world is one of The Jewish Agency’s core missions. In just three days, The Global Jewish LGBTQ partnership gathered for joint-thinking and peer-learning based on shared values and goals of Jewish activists from the LGBTQ community. Above all, it invites a global conversation among Jews of different backgrounds to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

“The partnership is meeting virtually since June 2021 and now gathered for the first time in person in order to vision a common future of diversity and inclusion in the Jewish world. The Jewish Agency is proud to facilitate this conversation and promote these values.” 

Dalia Fleming, Executive Director  of KeshetUK said: 

“It has been an honour to share the story of KeshetUK internationally, alongside the wonderful examples of what KeshetUK and the British Jewish community is doing to support our LGBT+ members. Being able to learn from Jewish LGBT+ people from around the world has been enlightening. We’ve learnt this week that we all have unique communities but with similar challenges and we look forward to creating better connections globally to create a world where no one is forced to choose between their Jewish and LGBT+ Identity.”