PRIDE All Around Us
“Pride Shabbat was fantastic! My family and I felt such a great sense of community and inclusion. When the Jewish community recognizes and identifies with your sexual orientation, you can be who you truly are without hiding.” – Pride weekend participant
Pride weekend in Denver took place June 24 – 26. The JCC Denver, supported by other leading Jewish organizations in our community, were pleased to kick off Pride weekend with a joyous, welcoming, and heartwarming Kabbalat Shabbat led by Judaism Your Way in the lobby of the JCC (A recording of the services can be viewed here). A sponsor of the event, JEWISHColorado, wrote a wonderful recap of the evening: “Pride Shabbat, Intersectionality, and Standing Strong in Our Identities”.
The Center on Colfax – LGBTQ Colorado organized and coordinated a Pride Parade and PrideFest. It was estimated that over half a million people were in attendance! The JCC Denver, along with additional Jewish organizations, synagogues, and community members were proud to be part of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community at Pride. The Jewish Community booth at PrideFest was full of excitement while attendees connected through making friendship bracelets, learning about our JCC, and experiencing the meaning of community!
Read more about what our community had to say about our Pride weekend activities:
“I often hear Queer Jews express the distance they feel between being Jewish and being gay. Many of us have felt these two identities had no way of coexisting, yet longed for them to do just that so we could feel more whole. The rainbow challot at pride Shabbat was a clear representation of the integration of queer identity and Jewish ritual. The exact integration I want to feel.” – Dina Rouff
“Participating as a J volunteer at Pride 2022 was a great experience. I was eager to join the parade and to meet so many people. I was most excited to take part in the parade because when I was younger, I loved playing with the Marching Band in my home town Labor Day and Memorial Day Parades. I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to march again, and this time with a community with a community I feel aligned. Although I may not be Jewish, I have long worked with inter–faith organizations that seek to make religious LGBTQIA+ folks feel welcome. It was amazing to see how many onlookers lit up as we walked by. I held a sign that the toddlers in my class helped me paint, as well as a sign that said, “Trans Jews are Welcome Here.” So many children, teens, and adults resonated with the inclusivity that you could almost see that they felt represented by our group. I hope to do it again next year, and even participate in some of the JCC sponsored events like our Pride Shabbat!” – Maggie Osburn, JCC ELS Teacher
