Founded in 2004, JQ International is a Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender (GLBT) Jewish movement founded to foster a healthy fusion of GLBT and Jewish identity. Programs provide the GLBT community the opportunity to reconnect to Jewish communal and spiritual life with a strong sense of self. Programs promote leadership, activism and social action. JQ hosts monthly events such as a Tu B'Shvat tree planting and environmental action day; Israeli Short Film Screening; Rosh Hashanah Dinner; and Purim, Passover and Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations. JQ incorporates social action into many of its events, and coordinates food, shoe, and toy drives to benefit local agencies such as SOVA, Abraham's Tent and Vista Del Mar.

JQ hired a paid professional staff person to expand the organization beyond a volunteer-run agency, develop new programming, increase membership and develop partnerships that facilitate Jewish engagement and leadership among the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Jewish population. By working face to face with prominent Jewish organizations, the trained professional provides JQ International greater visibility and helps organizations reengage GLBT constituents in Jewish programs and services. Specific activities include a monthly Leadership Shabbat Dinner Series with leaders from other organizations; partnerships with organizations to offer educational programs; and program kits that document procedures, materials and resources to help other similar organizations serve the GLBT Jewish population.

 

We are thrilled that there is an organization out there that is looking beyond the status quo into areas where there is a real need. The Foundation saw us as a project that spoke to their mission of supporting innovative ways to help people reconnect with their Jewish identity. They helped us create a vision that they could support and, in doing so, provided us with incredible validation.

 

Barry Gellis, Executive Director, JQ International