LGBTQ Passover Seder

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Jewish Federation of Las Vegas – JFNA General Assembly 2014

LGBTQ Passover Seder

Identifying the Need

• The Jewish Federation, responding to community input, expressed a need for building bridges and inclusive programming for the LGBTQ Community

• Jewish Federation convened several exploratory meetings with Leadership, Rabbis, Jewish members of the LGBTQ community and representatives of the Gay & Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada.

• Dialogue led to better understanding and appreciation of communities and needs.

• Decision made to create collaborative program to “connect” Jewish and LGBTQ communities.

• Agreement to co-sponsor first-ever LGBTQ Community Seder.

Community Collaborations

• The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas • Convener

• The Gay and Center of Southern Nevada • Host

• Corporate Sponsors • Southern Wine & Spirits• Kraft-Sussman Funeral Home

• Community Partners • Jewish Family Service Agency • Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada• Congregation P’nai Tikvah • Hillel UNLV• Spectrum

Utilizing Existing Resources

JQ International Haggadah

Focus on freedom and inclusiveness

Common experiences to be celebrated

The Bronze Café @ The Center

LGBTQ Seder Plate Traditional Jewish symbols Contemporary symbols for

LGBTQ community

Volunteer Committee

Planning Committee comprised of volunteers and staff from various backgrounds and organizations; and with a passion for inclusive programming and improving Jewish-LGBTQ community relations. Responsibilities of the committee included:

Recruitment Planning and program implementation Marketing and Public Relations Budget Sponsorships Logistics

The Seder

Seder them focused on the meaning and traditions of Passover Freedom and Liberation for ALL

people

Family Friendly Children friendly activities and

menu

120 people in attendance All ages and backgrounds

Bronze Café Catering Vegan and Vegetarian

Follow Up

Committee collected feedback from participants

Committee convened immediately after Seder to evaluate and set date for following year

Follow up Marketing and PR in both the LGBTQ and Jewish communities

Building relationship to LGBTQ and Jewish Communities

Connecting new Jewish members to Jewish Federation

Invitations to community events

Special Thanks To

The Gay & Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada

Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, Congregation Pnai Tivkah

Jon Sparer, Adam Reisman, Wendy Kraft

Marni Unger, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas

For more information

Marni Unger, Director Leadership and Community DevelopmentJewish Federation of Las Vegas(702) 732-0556Marni@jewishlasvegas.com