All of the Jewish congregations and organizations listed here are participating in PrideFest 2014 and have a commitment to diversity and inclusion and are excited to welcome the LGBTA community. Participating Congregations:
Congregation B’Nai Amoona
www.bnaiamoona.com 314-576-9990
Congregation B’nai Amoona is a fully egalitarian Conservative Synagogue where spiritual experiences, educational op
portunities and warm fellowship are the lifeblood of this Congregation. The synagogue is spearheaded by Senior Rabbi, Carnie Shalom Rose, whose vision and leadership enable the outstanding professional staff to create, plan, support and implement a myriad of exceptional programming for every age. Preschoolers to senior adults are experiencing spirituality, education and programming as never before. B’nai Amoona serves approximately 800 families, in a warm, friendly and spiritual atmosphere. Jews by birth and by choice, members of the GLBT community, as well as interfaith couples are invited to affiliate as members and be a part of the B’nai Amoona experience. Central Reform Congregation
www.centralreform.org 314.361.3919
Central Reform Congregation (CRC), a Reform Jewish congregation in the Central West End, offers creative, non-sexist, and flexible religious services in both English and Hebrew. Shabbat services are held every Friday evening (7:30pm) and Saturday morning (10:00am) and holiday celebrations are held throughout the year. In addition, we provide Jewish education programs for learners of all ages, life-cycle events, social opportunities, and extensive social action programming. As a diverse and inclusive community, we seek equal roles for men and women and welcome members of the LGBT community, members of interfaith backgrounds, Jews by choice, singles, guests, and people of all ages. The LGBT community is represented throughout CRC, including our Board of Directors, committees, and staff. In addition, our LGBT Chavurah provides opportunities for LGBT members to socialize, worship and study with other LGBT Jews. We invite you to join us! Congregation Neve Shalom
http://neveshalom.org (314) 863-4366
Neve Shalom began in 1989 as an intentional community. Neve Shalom was founded because we believe that we are contributing to the creating of a new model for the American synagogue. We believe that we are making space for an authentic spirituality to rise, and a deepening of living through the myths, symbols, and rituals of our people. This is a synagogue with a vision. Neve Shalom belongs to the Network of Jewish Renewal Communities (see www.aleph.org). Jewish renewal is a simple concept: the tradition is our guide, but our approach is always imaginative and informal, personal and evocative. We meet each other along the path of our deepest spiritual searching, guided by the intuition that Judaism has something profound, sustaining, and beautiful to offer us. Congregation Neve Shalom is proud to continue to support the LGBT Community by participating in Pride Fest again this year. Congregation Shaare Emeth
www.shaare-emeth.org 314-569-0010
Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Mission starts when you come through the doors of Shaare Emeth. One will experience Jewish life in many ways. We value our inclusive, diverse, intergenerational, caring, casual community that brings individuals and families together in friendship. We look for God’s presence in our daily lives through Jewish learning, prayer and Deeds of Love and Kindness. Through these pillars we make our lives sacred and vital to our community. We reach out in compassion, courage, and actions to make our world a better place for all in diverse ways. LGBT members are included in all of our program planning. In addition, expanding LGBT rights is one of Congregation Shaare Emeth’s social action priorities. Our SEEDS (Shaare Emeth Effort to Develop Social Justice) of Justice is committed to the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, locally and globally. We offer many volunteer opportunities in social action. LGBT individuals and families participate in baby namings and brit milah ceremonies, bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. Shaare Zedek Synagogue
http://shaarezedek.org 314-727-1747
Shaare Zedek Synagogue, led by Rabbi Mark Fasman and Hazzan Joanna Dulkin, is a dynamic, inclusive, caring and haimish Conservative congregation in U City. We hold services twice daily, morning and evening, including Shabbat and festivals. Childcare is available at Shabbat and High Holiday services. On Shabbat mornings, we offer engaging programming for tots, youth and families in addition to those held in the main sanctuary. Our signature Friday night service, Shabbat Rinah, occurs weekly at 6pm, fusing old and new music to create a welcoming and spiritually uplifting Shabbat experience. We house a thriving Early Childhood Center, as well as Shaare Shalom Religious school, a joint venture with BSKI (http://ssrsstl.org). Three youth groups provide informal youth programming for children in 5th-12 grade, and our dynamic DorWays group offers a variety of family programming and outreach. All are welcome to attend our regular clergy-taught Adult Education classes. Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community
www.shirhadashstl.org (314) 775-7780
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community is a small, welcoming, and participatory congregation. We create a sense of community and caring through active engagement of our members. We were founded as, and continue to be, a community that welcomes all Jews regardless of current levels or past practices of observance or knowledge. Gay and Le***an Jews, Jews by choice, minority Jews, and non-Jewish partners have always been important members of our community. In our communal and religious activities, we encourage and welcome new perspectives, intellectual curiosity, spiritual exploration, and creativity among our members. This is a hallmark of the Reconstructionist movement, which seeks to integrate our Jewish identities with the world around us. We are also proud of the Reconstructionist movement’s historical and continued commitment to the GLBT community including its pioneering support of the ordination of GLBT rabbis and full marriage equality. Congregation Temple Israel
www.ti-stl.org (314) 432-8050
Congregation Temple Israel (TI) has been a voice for all generations for 125 years. We are a diverse, inclusive Reform Jewish congregation in Creve Coeur welcoming members of the LGBT community, interfaith households, Jews by choice, singles, people of all ages and guests. Our worship is participatory, musical, and includes both English and Hebrew. Shabbat services are held Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. Tot Shabbat and 7:30 p.m. service on the first Friday of each month) and Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. (No Saturday services in July). Holidays are celebrated throughout the year. We provide Jewish education programs for learners of all ages, life-cycle events, social opportunities and social action programming.We invite you to join us! United Hebrew Congregation
www.unitedhebrew.org 314-469-0700
United Hebrew is a Reform congregation with a traditional mind-set and a progressive heart. Located in West County St. Louis, we are affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (www.urj.org), and strive to attain the high ideals of the movement. We make informed, meaningful choices from the Jewish tradition to guide our observance, take an open-minded approach to Jewish religious belief and practice, and provide a home where members can cultivate, explore, and expand their spirituality. Shabbat services are held at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, August through June, and at 6:00 p.m. in July. Services on Saturdays generally begin at 10:30 a.m., and on Jewish holidays throughout the year generally begin at 10:00 a.m. In addition, we offer an early childhood program for children 7 months to kindergarten age. We provide additional Jewish education programs for people of all ages and strive to offer extensive social action programming. Participating Organizations:
Anti-Defamation League
[email protected] 314.721.1270 www.facebook.com/adl.missouri
Founded in 1913, the Anti-Defamation League fights to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all." As the nation's leading civil rights/human relations agency, ADL combats anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights providing information, education, legislation, and advocacy. A leader in the development of materials, programs and services, ADL builds bridges of communication, understanding and respect among diverse groups, carrying out its mission through a network of 30 Regional and Satellite Offices in the US and abroad. The St. Louis regional office serves Eastern Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois. ADL is a resource for government, media, law enforcement, educators and the public. Areas of interest include racism, extremism, education, religious freedom, international affairs, and Israel. As a staunch advocate of “fair treatment to all,” ADL proudly supports Pride and the LGBT community. Hadassah St. Louis Chapter
www.stlouis.hadassah.org 314.991.0434
Ninety six years ago a women's study group in New York decided to make a difference, raising money to send two nurses and medical supplies on a ship to Palestine where disease was rampant, where they set up a public health outpost. Today, Hadassah is the largest women's membership organization in the US, with members in every voting district in the US. Membership activities support two hospitals in Israel, one a leading research center and 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. Hadassah is the largest employer in Jerusalem, also supporting Hadassah College in Jerusalem, the Young Judaea American Youth Program, Youth Aliyah - residential villages that house and educate immigrants and youth at risk, and is a leader in teaching public health to developing nations. Hadassah works through advocacy to champion the rights of women and children in the United States and around the world. Holocaust Museum and Learning Center
Since 1995, The Holocaust Museum and Learning Center (HMLC) in St. Louis welcomed students and other visitors from the St. Louis region, throughout the United States and from around the world. The HMLC provides a chronological history of the Holocaust augmented with personal testimonies by Holocaust survivors and witnesses who immigrated to St. Louis. Photographs, artifacts, text panels, and audio visual displays guide visitors through pre- World War II Jewish life in Europe, the rise of Na**sm, events leading up to and including the Holocaust between 1933-1945, and post-War events including the Nuremberg Trials, life in displaced- persons camps, the birth of Israel, and survivors’ “return to life” in the St. Louis region. To make a reservation for a docent led tour call 314-442-3711. We are open Sunday through Friday 10a.m. to 4p.m. Closed on Saturday. www.hmlc.org 314-442-3711
Jews United for Justice (JUJ)
www.jujstl.org
Jews United for Justice (JUJ) is a grassroots membership organization that was organized to be “A Jewish Voice in the Progressive Community and a Progressive Voice in the Jewish Community.” JUJ has worked on advocacy for the economically disadvantaged Jewish elderly in nursing homes, for workers’ rights, and for racial equity in public schools. Every year, JUJ puts on the Heschel/King celebration in cooperation with the Missouri History Museum, in recognition of the historic partnership between rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We keep this spirit of cooperation for the greater community good alive by honoring individuals in St. Louis’ Jewish and African-American communities who have worked together for social justice and peace. JUJ is proud to have been at Pride Fest before and to have always had LGBTA individuals in our leadership, as we celebrate the broad diversity of our St. National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section (NCJW-STL)
www.ncjwstl.org 314.993.5181
The National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section (NCJW-STL) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, NCJW strives to make the world a better place through social change using education, advocacy, community service and philanthropy to help us meet our mission of improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. For more than 115 years, NCJW has identified unmet needs in the St. Louis community and developed innovative, hands-on projects which have positively affected thousands of lives. NCJW is the place for those inspired by Jewish values to come together with courage, determination and commitment to foster positive social change for the generations to come. Next Dor
www.nextdorstl.com
Next "Dor" (Hebrew for generation) is a vibrant center of activity that builds community for young Jewish adults. The mission of Next Dor is to strengthen the Jewish community by creating a post-denominational (the idea that Jewish self-identification is of greater importance than denominational affiliation), non-institutional, urban Jewish community space for young adults in St. Located in St. Louis City, the house is open to individuals, informal groups, and existing organizations. Programming at Next Dor is created by young adults and community organizations specifically for young adults. In addition to formal programming, the Next Dor house is gaining popularity as a place where young Jewish adults can meet, relax and build community. Next Dor offers Jewish learning opportunities, holiday celebrations, community service initiatives, social activities, an organic garden, and more! Q Jews
Check out our page: Q Jews of St. Louis
Question Jewish life. Q***r Jewish space. Q Jews is a community for anyone identifying as Jewish and on the spectrum of LGBTQ. We are a social group and also a social justice group-a mix between the two. A civil partnership if you will! We want to have fun together while reminding everyone that we are here. Without any mainstream map for living as Q***r Jews, we have both the challenge and the gift to create our own spaces and to build upon and question existing Jewish institutions. As LGBTQ people who must always be aware of our own vulnerability, we believe that our experiences are an asset to the ever-evolving Jewish community,
especially in these times of change. We seek a space of optimism and empowerment. We question Jewish life. We q***r Jewish space. We are Q JEWS. St. Louis Hillel at Washington University
www.stlouishillel.org 314.935.9040 [email protected]
Since 1946, St. Louis Hillel has played a significant role in enhancing the lives of thousands of Jewish college students throughout St. We currently serve the more than 2,000 Jewish students who attend Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and other local colleges and universities. Our vision is to inspire Jewish college students to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. Our mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students in St. Louis so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. We realize our mission through diverse programs and meaningful Jewish experiences in the areas of social justice and service, religious life, Israel, Jewish culture and education, and leadership development. Louis Hillel is accredited by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of St.
