Our Stories

Every June, we turn our attention and love to the LGBTQ+ community at IKAR. For many years we have taken the opportunity during Pride month to hear stories from LGBTQ+ folks and their family members.

Listen: Spotify and Apple.

View: 202420232022 / 2021 / 2020

Learning
1 month ago • Jun 21, 2025
Learning and Havdalah with Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz
Rabbi Moskowitz will be discussing his newest book, Ancestral Allyship and the wisdom of Jewish Traditions on being a better ally.
Register
Kabbalat Shabbat
1 month ago • Jun 20, 2025
Conversation with Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz
After services, join us for a community dinner and conversation with Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz. This text-based discussion will explore classic sources and new understanding of the communal responsibility to support LGBT+ folks.   Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBT synagogue. He is a deeply traditional and radically progressive advocate for trans rights and a vocal ally for LGBTQ inclusivity. Rabbi Moskowitz received three Ultra-Orthodox ordinations while learning in the Mir in Jerusalem and in Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ. He is a David Hartman Center Fellow, Wexner Field Fellow, and the author of Textual Activism, Graceful Masculinity, Seasonal Resistance and co-editor of Chaver Up!.    
Register
Kabbalat Shabbat
2 months ago • Jun 6, 2025
PRIDE Kabbalat Shabbat Services & Dinner Program (Co-Sponsored by JQ and NuRoots)
Let’s enter Shabbat together with a sweet, spirited Kabbalat Shabbat service. Daven with us in person or on YouTube, our website, and Zoom. Celebrate Pride with JQ, IKAR, and NuRoots! Join us for Shabbat services, a plant based dinner, drinks and entertainment. All ages welcome. Tickets: $25 The panel after dinner will not be streamed.
Register
Event
2 months ago • Jun 6, 2025
PRIDE Happy Hour
Before Shabbat, join us for a PRIDE-themed Happy Hour! Click here to RSVP for our kosher, vegetarian community dinner (suggested donation $25).
Register
QueerKAR
2 months ago • Jun 1, 2025
QueerKAR Pride Kick-off Clothing Swap
Bring what you don’t want, spend time with QueerKARites, and leave with what you like. Transform your wardrobe, your bookshelf, snag a do-dad or tchotchke, and nurture your spirit with good snacks and good people. Location to be shared upon rsvp.
Register

Resources + Organizations

As we joyfully celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride this month, we honor the queer community’s struggle for equality and justice. We also recognize the continuing threats to the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people in our country, especially trans/non-binary/gender-expansive people. We encourage you to learn, advocate, and donate to ensure that all people can live in freedom and safety. – Visit our Trans Allyship page.- Donate to and/or volunteer with the Transgender Law Center.
– Gender Spectrum has great general resources for self-education and our partner, JQ International’s mission is to celebrate and strengthen queer Jewish life through community building, educational programs, and support services creating a joyful and healthy future for LGBTQ+ Jews and their loved ones.- Check out resources from Keshet: For LGBTQ equality in Jewish life.- Oppose state anti-Trans & anti-LGBT legislation with the Human Rights Campaign.

IKAR Trans Community and Allies - Resources and Actions to Show Up!

Learn

The independent journalists and outlets below are transgender or very trans-competent. You can follow them without subscribing to their platforms, but subscribing will help them continue to do this important work.

Engage
  • Sign the Keshet Jewish Pledge for Trans Dignity.
  • Keshet I’m in a Blue State: What Can I Do? Guide. 
  • Join IKAR Minyan Tzedek Community Organizing to advocate for SB 59, a CA state bill to protect the privacy of trans people’s gender identity change documents. 
  • Email [email protected] to get involved. 
  • Learn more about this bill and other priority bills from Equality CA at EQCA.org
  • Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues to dispel misinformation and share why inclusion and equality for trans people are important values to you.
Follow and Support
Situation in California

California Attorney General Rob Bonta reminds hospitals that failing to provide healthcare for trans youth violates California law.

For Trans Youth and their families

QueerKAR: Your IKAR community, clergy and staff are here to support you in getting connected to other IKAR community members, to resources both inside and outside our community and to walk with you as we work together to build the Jewish community and the world we all need, where each of us is free to be our full selves and to live in dignity, safety and love.

JQ International has a variety of support groups for LGBTQ+ Jews and their families.

Keshet offers virtual support groups and resources for LGBTQ+ Jews and their families as well as advocacy opportunities.

Trans Families Support Services is based in San Diego. In addition to peer support, they also do advocacy work for families with trans kids.

Transforming Family is based in Los Angeles and it provides both virtual and in-person peer support meetings, and it has an active message board where parents share information and resources with each other.

TransFamilies is in Seattle. They are undergoing a restructuring at the moment, but they are still providing virtual support group meetings.

PFLAG has a monthly meeting for parents of trans youth.

Children's Books for Families to Teach Openness and Allyship
My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart
My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart
Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson
Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Olivette is You by Nico Tortorella
The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos
A Kids Book about Gender by Dale Mueller
More Resources for Families and Educators