What will you do to make Pride safe this year?

March 14, 2024

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Jews and supporters of Israel attend Pride marches. With a few exceptions, these spaces have always been safe and welcoming for the broader Pride community.

But this year is different.

For American Jews, anxiety reigns as we head into this Pride season. The appalling rise of antisemitism since Oct. 7 forces us to ask difficult questions. As many Jews increasingly feel alienated and excluded from progressive spaces, we’re left to wonder: If I wear a Jewish symbol, march with a Jewish group, or wave a rainbow flag adorned with the Star of David, will I be safe at Pride?\

Even before Oct. 7, LGBTQ Jews had plenty of reason to feel trepidation about their safety at Pride. From blanket bans on Stars of David at past Pride gatherings to antisemitism on display at the recent Sydney Pride, too often Jews feel forced to choose between their LGBTQ and Jewish identities and hide their connection to Israel.

Since Oct. 7, terms like “apartheid,” “genocide” and “Zionism equals racism” are increasingly thrown around casually, often without a nuanced understanding of their impact or the realities they oversimplify. This rhetoric not only alienates but also endangers Jewish queer people. It makes us feel emotionally unsafe. It increases the chances that we will be physically unsafe as well.

We must not allow the Israel-Palestine conflict to be imported into Pride.

I will always remember the euphoria of the first Pride rally I attended. I was barely 18 years old, in a crowd of people of all ages, races, genders and gender orientations — and they were like me. Queer. It felt safe. It was the first time I experienced that feeling of safety, and it will always stay with me.

Like Pride events everywhere, it was a vibrant, colorful space for LGBTQ people to celebrate our true authentic selves, without fear or reservation.

But that feeling of safety wasn’t shared by everyone in my small New England town. I soon noticed a few people scattered throughout the crowd wearing paper bags over their heads, with eye holes so they could see but not be seen. I later learned that those faceless people were teachers who, in those days before civil rights protections, needed to protect their identities and their careers.

They did not feel safe. Will Jews and those who are connected to Israel feel safe this year?

The history of Pride is a testament to courage in the face of adversity. It wasn’t long ago when attending Pride events was a defiant act against societal norms, where participants like those teachers faced tangible threats of discrimination, ridicule and even violence. Even today in some places, our queer community still navigates a gauntlet of hatred as we try to celebrate who we are.

It’s crucial to recognize that within the Jewish community, there is a wide spectrum of views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including many who are deeply committed to advocating for Palestinian rights. In fact, many of the 1,200 innocent Israelis murdered on Oct. 7 were Zionists who devoted their lives to reconciliation and peace with their Arab neighbors.

We are at a pivotal moment, one that demands action: What can we do to ensure Pride remains a safe space for everyone, including Jewish participants?

It’s imperative that Pride committees around the country proactively address these concerns. They must implement training programs focused on de-escalation and fostering an environment of understanding and respect.

As individuals who stand in solidarity with the values of Pride, each of us must consider our role in this effort. Will you march alongside those of us who feel vulnerable, offering your presence as a shield against intolerance? Will you engage in dialogues that challenge the importation of external conflicts into Pride, advocating instead for a celebration that unites rather than divides?

The true test of inclusivity at Pride lies not merely in welcoming a diverse crowd, but in ensuring that every participant feels safe and valued. If we remain indifferent to the vulnerabilities faced by Jewish queer people this Pride season, we will fall short of the very ideals of inclusivity and solidarity that Pride stands for.

Just as we expect schools to protect trans and nonbinary students like Nex Benedict, we have a responsibility in the LGBTQ community to ensure that people can carry an Israeli flag or a Palestinian flag, wear a yarmulke or a hijab and be safe.

As we look forward to this year’s Pride, let us commit to making it a space where safety is not a privilege afforded to some but a right enjoyed by all. Let’s engage with our local Pride committees, advocate for comprehensive safety measures and stand in solidarity with those who feel at risk.

Only then can we celebrate the true spirit of Pride, rooted in love, acceptance and the unwavering belief in equality for all.

Ethan Felson is the executive director of A Wider Bridge.

Hostage Emily Damari Together With Influencers And Community Leaders Will Speak At The All-Day Event To Reclaim Unity And Diversity.

StandWithUs (SWU), in partnership with A Wider Bridge, the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles (JFED), the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Los Angeles, and the Israeli-American Council (IAC) is proud to announce the first-ever “Pride for Israel” conference in Los Angeles for the LGBTQ+ community. It will be held on Sunday November 9, 2025, beginning at 8:30am and running through 8:00pm.

The goal of the all-day “Pride for Israel” conference is to reclaim unity, diversity and love for Israel within the LGBTQ+ community. Emily Damari, who endured months as a hostage in Gaza and lost two fingers as a result of the violence during her capture, will be one of the keynote speakers. Once released, Emily explained that she never told Hamas terrorists she was gay, fearing for her life, due to her being not only a Jew and Israeli, but also LGBTQ+.

A remarkable lineup of influencers and leaders in the community will speak, including Eve Barlow, Luai Ahmed, Tanya Tsikanovsky, Bellamy Belucci, Matthew Nouriel, Robin Tyler, Rabbi Denise Eger, Ron Galperin, John Vaughan and representatives of The Aguda from Israel, among many others. Learn more here: https://prideforisrael.planningpod.com/

The Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities both experience what it is like to be vilified, or erased within and from outside their own communities. The pro-Israel LGBTQ+ community is further marginalized, not just by ideological opponents, but by the broader LGBTQ+ community itself that has been identifying with the “Queers for Palestine” ideology since Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.

Matthew Nouriel, Director of Community Engagement at JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) states, “For those of us who are both Jewish and LGBTQ+, that exclusion feels doubly familiar. Growing up Jewish, you learn what antisemitism feels like. Growing up LGBTQ+, you learn what homophobia feels like. When those experiences overlap, the pain is magnified, but so too is the resilience.”

Pro-Israel LGBTQ+ community members question why their peers choose to align themselves with “Queers For Palestine,” a cause rooted in ideologies that criminalize, oppress, and routinely murder LGBTQ+ people. Meanwhile, Israel has long stood out as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people in the Middle East, offering freedoms unimaginable in neighboring societies, including one of the world’s largest PRIDE parades.

With antisemitism seeping into a community that is already dealing with homophobia, the “Pride For Israel” conference was created to support and empower pro-Israel LGBTQ+ Jews and allies with education and advocacy in an environment with like-minded individuals, so they do not feel alone and silenced. It will also provide them with the tools necessary to correct misinformation and lies while standing up for the only Jewish state.

Roz Rothstein co-founder and CEO StandWithUs states, “Ultimately, this is about more than a single event. It is about affirming Jewish identity, and values of solidarity and courage. We are HOPING TO build a future where having Jewish, pro-Israel and LGBTQ+ identities can thrive together without compromise, where solidarity is rooted in truth rather than propaganda, and where no one has to stand alone.” She adds, “This is why building supportive networks within all segments of our society is essential. We are indebted to our partners who recognize the urgency of this moment including A Wider Bridge, for playing a pivotal role in the planning.”

Daniel Hernandez, A Wider Bridge Board Chair stated, “‘Pride for Israel’ is more than a conference — it is a declaration that love, unity, and truth are stronger than hate. As Board Chair of A Wider Bridge, I am inspired to see our community come together to celebrate courage and resilience, and to stand proudly with Israel and with one another. This moment reminds us that when we build bridges across identities and borders, we create a future where every person can live authentically and without fear.”

“Pride For Israel” features plenaries, panel discussions, and breakout sessions covering topics including modern antisemitism and the unique challenges facing the pro-Israel LGBTQ+ community; productive solutions including legal remedies; and answering difficult questions about Israel.

The West Los Angeles location will be disclosed upon registration.

For more information and to register: https://prideforisrael.planningpod.com/

A Wider Bridge welcomes with profound relief the news that active hostilities have ceased and that the remaining Israeli hostages have finally returned home. This long-awaited moment brings solace and tears of joy to families who have endured nearly two years of unimaginable fear and heartbreak. The courage of the Israeli people — and the perseverance of those who never stopped demanding the hostages’ release — remind the world of Israel’s unbreakable spirit and moral strength even in the face of horror.

The road to this moment began on October 7, when Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust — massacring families, burning communities, and abducting innocent civilians, including children and the elderly. The trauma of that day continues to reverberate across Israel and the Jewish world, shaping the urgency of this peace.

We also honor the memory of those who were murdered in captivity. Their bodies must be returned to Israel immediately and unconditionally, so that their families may lay them to rest in dignity and peace.

The end of active fighting offers a fragile but vital chance to rebuild lives shattered by violence — for Israelis and for Palestinians alike. Countless innocent civilians have suffered deeply, and their pain must move us toward a future defined not by vengeance, but by rebuilding, healing, and accountability.

For this moment to endure, the agreement must be implemented in full and safeguarded against any return to terror. Israel’s security is non-negotiable, and the international community must ensure that Hamas can never again threaten innocent lives or destabilize the region.

A Wider Bridge believes that lasting peace — one grounded in justice, security, and mutual recognition — will come only through moral clarity, compassion, and the courage to reject extremism.

As we celebrate the return of the hostages and the silencing of weapons, we rededicate ourselves to strengthening Israel’s democratic and inclusive future, deepening understanding between LGBTQ communities in Israel and North America, and supporting those who work each day to turn the dream of peace into reality.

May this moment mark the beginning of renewal, security, and lasting peace for Israel, for the Palestinian people, and for all who long for a safer, more hopeful world.

A Wider Bridge and Queers Against Antisemitism and Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI) invite you to an Antisemitism LGBTQ+ Support group, providing a special safe space for our community to share, contemplate and support each other during these times where antisemitism is raging even within our own LGBTQ+ community. This group is sponsored by a grant from UJA/NY on 5 consecutive Friday afternoons in October. It will be co-facilitated by Molly Harris, MSW LCSW, CST and Rabbi Denise L. Eger, D.D., PCC

The Dates: October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Time: 1 pm – 2 pm ET on Zoom
Sign Up*

*By registering for this support group, I agree to the guidelines and disclaimer written here.

About Molly Harris, MSW, LCSW, CST
Molly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist with a focus on inclusivity and non-judgmental self-exploration. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Denver and continued her education obtaining her MSW from the Graduate School of Social Work. Molly specializes in working with struggles related to oppressed identities, hidden disabilities, and societal stigma. She has primarily worked in the field of Eating Disorders and Gender & Sexuality (LGBTQIA+), and she is comfortable with clients, couples, or families facing any struggle. Molly uses an empowerment-focused approach alongside humor, compassion, and validation to help her client(s) identify their needs, challenges, and goals in the therapeutic space. She focuses on collaboration and building an affirming client-therapist relationship. In addition to private practice, Molly conducts workshops, in-service trainings, and consultations to the general public and mental health professionals to help spread knowledge and awareness of gender, sexuality, and body image. Molly also serves as a volunteer support group facilitator through the Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI), providing support for the Jewish community and offering this series in collaboration with JCMHI and A Wider Bridge.

About Rabbi Denise L. Eger, D.D., PCC
Rabbi Denise L. Eger is an international Jewish leader, author, speaker, and activist, known as the first openly LGBTQ person to serve as president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the first woman to lead the Southern California Board of Rabbis. Founding Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, she is the author or editor of 7 Principles for Living Bravely, Mishkan Ga’avah: Where Pride Dwells, and Gender & Religious Leadership: Women Rabbis, Pastors, and Ministers, and has contributed to numerous other works. Named one of the most influential Jews by The Forward and the #1 LGBT Clergy Person by The Huffington Post, she is also a PCC-accredited executive coach who works with clergy, nonprofit leaders, and organizations. Rabbi Eger lives in Austin, Texas, with her wife, Rabbi Dr. Eleanor Steinman, and together they are proud parents and grandparents.

“It’s a common belief that the opposite of grief is happiness,” Molly says. “In the field of mental health, we know that the true opposite of grief is connection. When humans are faced with tragedy, with trauma, we feel alone. We feel unseen, unheard, and often misunderstood. Grief isolates us, grief convinces us that we are undeserving of help.”

“The Jewish community has suffered immense trauma over the last two years and the need for connection is stronger than ever, especially to remind us of how resilient our culture is,” she adds. “Online support groups have been a safe haven for Jews and allies and breed a culture of mutual understanding, respect, and empathy. In providing such a sacred space for the Jewish population, we have already seen increased patience, tolerance, and ability to cope through challenges. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive and it continues to support the notion that these groups are an essential part to healing the community.”

“It has been a tough road especially since Oct 7 for the LGBTQ Jewish community,” adds Rabbi Eger. “From a mental health perspective the toll of rising antisemitism from every place on the political spectrum combined with increasing antiLGBTQ political influence targeting our community and particularly The trans and nonbinary parts of our community, has made it often difficult and frightening. And regardless of one’s own position on the war in Gaza there are many places in the LGBTQ community where Jews have been banned, kicked out , cancelled and we have been forced to create our own Queer Jewish spaces. We need each other more than ever and our new support group will help us all navigate this complex time and learn from each other.”

Group guidelines and disclaimer

We are excited to introduce the QAA Fellows, a new leadership initiative within Queers Against Antisemitism. QAA Fellows are regional leaders appointed to oversee and strengthen our work in communities across the country. By organizing events, fostering partnerships, and engaging local activists, our Fellows bring Queers Against Antisemitism and A Wider Bridge’s mission to life on the ground—building stronger regional networks, amplifying queer voices against antisemitism, and ensuring that our movement remains rooted in community connection and action.

Peter Fox (New York)

Peter Fox is a writer and cultural commentator whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, Wired, CNN, The Jerusalem Post, Newsweek, The Forward, and Tablet Magazine. Since 2021, he has served on the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS NY board. Follow him across social media at @thatpeterfox.

Jessica Cook (Philadelphia)

Jessica Cook is a licensed psychotherapist in Philadelphia. In the wake of October 7th and the onslaught of antisemitism which followed, she has pivoted her career to cater to care for Jews, especially queer Jews whose loss can not be overstated. Philadelphia has the fourth largest Jewish population in the country, the seventh largest in the world, and a 237% increase in antisemitic related hate crimes over the last two years. She has been working tirelessly to address this both generally and within the queer community (where it is also particularly prevalent). The queer Jewish community in Philly feels homeless – socially, emotionally, and politically. Many have been rejected from their families, communities, synagogues, and more because of queer identities. They thought they found a home within queer spaces only to be rejected by them since 10/7. But Jessica believes there is hope. She has seen the welcoming spaces within the Philly “Gayborhood,” which just need assistance to welcome the Jewish community back in. Jessica believes that with education, creating relationships, and community mobilizing, we can do it!

Adam Greitzer (Chicago)

Adam grew up in Los Angeles before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied History and Creative Writing. He was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and a constant presence at both Chabad and Hillel, and a week after graduation, he moved to Chicago. In the years since he first attended a Jewish United Fund event, he rose up the ranks of their Young Leadership Division, first serving as the Chair of the YLD Pride Committee for three years, and growing it from hosting four events a year, to at least two events a month. He was then elected the President of the YLD Board, serving his term from June 2024 to June 2025 while working in film and television production, and co-producing documentaries about Jewish historical and present-day heroes. He participated in an LGBTQ North American Leaders Delegation to Israel that was meant to attend this year’s Tel Aviv Pride, but ended up with them being stuck in Tel Aviv for the first six days of its war with Iran. When he finally returned from the most meaningful trip of his life, he felt more energized than ever to build a robust community in Chicago where all queer Jews can safely and joyously express their full selves.

Jamie Haft (San Francisco/Bay Area)

Jamie Haft has spent her career supporting organizations to deepen their social impact. She has led a national organization addressing systemic poverty as its executive director. She has also served as a strategic planning consultant to more than a dozen nonprofit organizations representing a range of different social causes. Jamie holds a master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in community development from New York University. Jamie is active with Jewish Family and Children’s Services in San Francisco, Honeymoon Israel, J Leaders, and UpStart.

Joey Waknin (South Florida)

Joey Waknin is a committed South Florida realtor and a passionate community leader dedicated to building connection, inclusion, and impact. Joey recently joined A Wider Bridge to represent the South Florida demographic and create a shared space and sense of belonging. From founding Ga’ava – Montreal’s LGBTQ Jewish organization – to chairing The Tribe Miami, to hosting signature events like Pillow Talk and the Eurovision Grand Finale Viewing Parties via the University of Miami, Joey always finds ways to bring people together with his “let’s just do it” spirit and contagious energy. If you’re in the neighborhood, keep an eye out – it’s a guaranteed good time!

We are excited to share that A Wider Bridge has received a 2025-2026 YES Fund grant from Women of Reform Judaism! The YES (Youth, Education, Special Projects) Fund provides grants to develop the future leaders of the Reform Movement, advocate for the voice and rights of women and girls and expand diversity and inclusion throughout the Jewish world.

The Women of Reform Judaism recently changed their bylaws to even be more inclusive! In 2024, the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) amended its constitution to expand its definition of membership to be more inclusive of transgender and nonbinary individuals. The revised constitution clarifies that wherever the words “woman” or “women” appear, they are understood to include individuals who identify as female, nonbinary, or gender-fluid.: The updated language also welcomes “all who identify as Jewish or have a commitment to the Jewish community”. The changes were officially voted on and approved at the Legislative Body meeting in June 2024.

“Women of Reform Judaism is proud of our impact as the philanthropic arm of the Reform Movement and a venture capitalist of the Jewish world at-large,” WRJ President Karen Sim said in a statement.

Thank you to the Women of Reform Judaism for their generosity and support of the work of A Wider Bridge!

Making Pride Safe

What will you do to make Pride safe this year?