A Wider Bridge

Queer New Year Pizza Party [Bay Area]
2025-09-28 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join A Wider Bridge and our Queers Against Antisemitism Fellow in the Bay Area, Jamie Haft, for a casual get-together that’s all about queer joy, Jewish pride, and connection. It’ll be right after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, so let’s celebrate together. Come hangout and share your ideas for building a more connected community.
We’ll provide some pizzas (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options). There will be drinks and more food available for purchase.
The address will be shared 48 hours before the event to all those registered. We will be at a venue with a covered outdoor patio in Oakland near a BART station.
Allies welcome, the more the merrier. Cheers to friendship and the year ahead, 5786!
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Sunset Potluck-Picnic Tashlich [South Florida]
2025-09-28 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
A Wider Bridge and our Queers Against Antisemitism Fellow in South Florida, Joey Wakin, invite you to our annual Sunset Potluck-Picnic Tashlich.
Tashlich means “casting off” in Hebrew, and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread, paper, lint in our pockets into a body of water.
We take a moment to reflect on our mistakes from the previous year; any negative baggage that we carry around every day; negative emotions (some resulting from the Antisemitism we experience more these days) that are trapped inside us that we may want to let go of.
By cleansing we welcome and start the new year with more light, we make space for positive and clean energy to have more peace in our daily lives.
Come for the conversation, live the experience, stay for the company!
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AntiSemitism LGBTQ+ Support Group
2025-10-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-31 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
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*
Sign up to all 5 sessions

*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.

Group guidelines and disclaimer

Remember October 7
2025-10-05 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
“October Seventh” Memorial Event
The Greater Philadelphia Jewish community commemoration.
Join us on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Adath Israel on the Main Line for an evening of commemoration and reflection.
Together in solidarity, grief, and healing, our community, synagogues, organizations, families, and friends, will honor the victims of October 7 and call for the release of all hostages.
For security and safety reasons, entry to the event will be allowed by pre-registration only.
Please print / save on your phone your tickets.
Seating is limited.
5:00PM – EXHIBIT
6:00PM – CEREMONY
Both powerful and painful, the exhibit will include visuals and clips from October 7, inviting reflection while leaving us with a message of resilience and hope.
Please note: some of the footage may be difficult to watch.
Sign up

The ceremony will be held in the presence of representatives from the Consulate General of Israel in New York, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, as well as synagogues, organizations, and communities from across the region.

Annual LGBTQ Sukkot Party! [New York]
2025-10-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC
Join Us for the Annual New York Metro LGBTQ Sukkot Party! A Wider Bridge and Queers Against Antisemitism is joining together with Eshel, Keshet, JQY, and the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network and UJA/NY for a joyous queer holiday bash!
Come experience this celebration with a special LGBTQ+ Jewish twist at Marlene Meyerson JCC’s rooftop Sukkah, featuring breathtaking views of the NYC skyline, an open bar (21+), Israeli cuisine, snacks, and plenty of laughs with friends old and new.
You must be 21+ and ready to have a good time!
Date: Oct. 12, 2025
Time: 7-10pm (volunteer shifts begin at 5:30pm)
Sign Up

Social Justice in our Texts: Jewish Wisdom for Building a Better World
2025-10-20 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
This event is part of a Monthly Study Series
Prophetic Voices, Then and Now
With Rabbi Barbara Symons
Monday, October 20 at 3pm ET / Noon PT
Sign up
What does it mean to be a prophet? What does prophecy demand of us today? In this session, we’ll sketch a “job description” of a prophet, and explore who the Hebrew prophets were. Then we’ll turn to the week’s Haftarah (prophetic reading)—analyzing the text through the prophet’s lens and then offering alternative voices as we listen carefully for the call to action. This class invites us to hear the prophets anew, and to ask how their message challenges and empowers us.
Anyone who registers for this class will receive a discount code for Rabbi Symons’s book, Prophetic Voices, from the CCAR Press.
This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, CCAR Press, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, New Jersey, Temple Judea in Coral Gables, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Tzedek Box, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Religious Action Center.
P art of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Tzedek Box.
This program is part of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

“The Jews: An Indigenous People:” AWB Author Chat with Ben M. Freeman
2025-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
Join A Wider Bridge in conversation with acclaimed LGBTQ Jewish author and activist, Ben M. Freeman on his latest book. In The Jews: An Indigenous People, the final installment of his seminal Jewish Pride trilogy, Ben takes readers on a powerful journey through 3,000 years of Jewish history. Exploring the origins of Jewish identity and practice and their resonance today, Ben arrives at an academically sound and quite simply logical conclusion: Jews are indigenous to the land of Israel.
Learn from Ben in this engaging session about what it means to be a proud LGBTQ in today’s world, grounded in our shared truth and history.
Register Here

Purchase The Jews: An Indigenous People (U.S. Version)
About Ben M. Freeman
Ben is founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, a leader, public intellectual, and educator. He is the author of the seminal Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People (2021) and its follow up, Reclaiming our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride (2022). The finale of his Jewish Pride trilogy, The Jews: An Indigenous People, was published in February 2025.
Focusing on Jewish identity and the historical and contemporary Jew-hatred, Ben M. Freeman works to educate, inspire, and empower. As a Holocaust scholar for over fifteen years, he gained prominence during the Corbyn Labour Jew-hate crisis in the UK, quickly establishing himself as one of his generation’s leading Jewish thinkers. Ben was voted number 8 on the inaugural 25 Young ViZionaries list by The Jerusalem Post and JNF-USA. Additionally, he serves as a Jewish Diplomat for the World Jewish Congress and a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism Policy.

Queering the Weekly Parsha
2025-10-23 13:15 - 14:15 (America/Halifax)
A Weekly Study Group with Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D.
Thursdays at 1:15pm, starting October 23
Click here to sign up
Use discount code AWB15 for 15% off the first month
Queering the Weekly Parsha offers learners of all levels and identities the opportunity to look at the weekly Torah portion through a queer lens. We will explore how the text affirms and challenges folks with queer identities, how our ancestors viewed sexuality, and where we might find inspiration for inclusion. Our sources will include Torah, Jewish literature from various time periods, and LGBTQ+ commentary.
This group will run through September 2026

Exposing Beauty In / Out [South Florida]
2025-10-23 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
A Wider Bridge and our Queers Against Antisemitism Fellow in South Florida, Joey Waknin, along with the Consulate General of Israel in Miami is excited to present Exposing Beauty In / Out – a Happy Hour Mingle with special guest and scholar in residence, Miss Universe Israel, Melanie Shiraz. Let’s focus on bringing beauty and unison to everything we do.
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Tales of the Sister City [San Francisco]
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Queer Jewish-Palestinian Relationships in Haifa
Join Israeli scholar Dotan Brom to hear surprising stories from Haifa, San Francisco’s Sister City. Dotan is a researcher and tour guide known for co-creating Israel’s leading podcast on queer history. A PhD candidate at Tel Aviv University, Dotan co-curated Israel’s first museum exhibition on queer history.
Dotan will reveal the overlooked history of queer relations between Jews and Palestinians in Haifa, including:

sexual and romantic encounters in the city’s cruising grounds,
power relations between Jewish and Palestinian men,
the participation of Palestinian men in Jewish-led gay organizations, and
the rise of Aswat, a Palestinian lesbian feminist group.

It is a story of both solidarity and violence, which promises to complicate what you think you know about coexistence and queer history in Israel.
This event will take place on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 PM PT, in-person in San Francisco with a virtual option available; please sign-up below. Refreshments will be provided at 6:30 PM for those joining us in-person. This event is organized by Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ synagogue, and co-sponsored by Queers Against Antisemitism, a program of A Wider Bridge, as well as the San Francisco – Haifa Sister City Committee.
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Shabbat Dinner [Chicago]
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Celebrate Shabbat with flair, laughter, and joy! A “Gay Shabbos” dinner where queer Jews of every stripe come together – whether you’re Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, post-denominational, patrilineal, a proud convert, cultural-only, or just finding your way back to Jewish life. Expect Jewish joy, soulful modern ritual, fabulous food, and a table big enough for all of us. In partnership with Ami.
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Shabballoween Party [Philadelphia]
2025-10-31 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York)
A Wider Bridge and our Queers Against Antisemitism Fellow in Philadelphia/South Jersey, Jessica Cook, brings you a Shabballoween Party with music, costumes, drinks, and games. A lively time and mingling with friends and new acquaintances.
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How to Interrupt Antisemitism Without Losing Allies [San Francisco]
2025-11-02 10:30 - 12:30 UTC
Sunday, November 2nd
10:30am – 12:30pm Pacific
San Francisco
For many in the queer community, being Jewish or Israeli can bring moments of unease in spaces that should feel safe. Let’s gather together to build our community, clarity, and courage. Guided by Ron Glait, Director of Community Education at the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center, we will explore contemporary antisemitism as it relates to Israel and Zionism. We will also practice recognizing, responding to, and interrupting antisemitism.
This session is a collaboration between the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center and Queers Against Antisemitism, a program of A Wider Bridge. As the facilitator, Ron Glait brings a deeply personal commitment to this work as the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, an Israeli, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He holds a Master of Education from The Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv.
The conversation will draw on experiences from the LGBTQ+ Jewish community, but straight allies and non-Jewish allies are welcome to join us.
This workshop will take place on Sunday, November 2nd from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Pacific. The in-person location in San Francisco will be provided to registrants no later than 24 hours in advance, and refreshments will be served.
This free event has limited capacity: Please only register if you will commit to attend. If your plans change, please cancel your registration by emailing bayareaqaa@awiderbridge.org. Thank you!
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Photo from Pride in San Francisco: Levi Meir/JCRC Bay Area

Jewish LGBTQ Health Providers Coping with Antisemitism Support Group
2025-11-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax)
A Wider Bridge and Queers Against Antisemitism and Gesher Campus Care invite Jewish LGBTQ Health Care Providers to an Antisemitism LGBTQ+ Support group, providing a special safe space for our LGBTQ health care providers (therapists, social workers, doctors, nurses) to share, contemplate and support each other during these times where antisemitism is raging even within our own LGBTQ+ community. If you have experienced antisemitism in your practice either by colleagues and/or patients or in the workplace or are concerned about it in these times this is a group to gain strength and process together. This is not a group therapy session. This program is sponsored by a grant from UJA/NY.
Registration is limited. This is a 6 session closed group. You must commit to the 6 sessions. Starting on Friday afternoons beginning in November. (Nov. 7, 14, 21 Dec. 5, 12, 19) at 1 pm ET. It will be co-facilitated by Dr. Jessica Zmood, Psy.D and Rabbi Denise L. Eger, D.D., PCC
Register Here
About Jessica Zmood, Psy.D.
Dr. Zmood is a New York State Licensed Clinical Psychologist working in private practice in Manhattan since 2010. After receiving a B.A. in English Literature & Spanish at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Zmood volunteered at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, while pursuing a post-baccalaureate in Psychology from Baruch College. Jessica earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in Bronx, NY.
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.

Pride for Israel [Los Angeles]
2025-11-09 09:00 - 17:00 UTC

Post-Election Meet Up
2025-11-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join us Monday, November 10, for a night of drinks, light bites, and connection. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.
Fill out my LGL Form!

The Aguda: Navigating the Complexities of Queer Life in Israel Today
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
An evening with two remarkable LGBTQ leaders from Israel, Yael Sinai Biblash and Imry Zagury, in conversation with Rabbi Noah Westreich.
2025 marks 50 years since the founding of The Aguda, the leading LGBTQ advocacy and policy organization in Israel. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with their leaders, CEO Yael Sinai Biblash, and Deputy CEO for Strategy and Partnerships, Imry Zagury. Hear them share about their activism, the challenges of supporting LGBTQ people from Arab society, Palestinian asylum seekers during wartime, and the impact of October 7 on queer life and inclusive policy in Israel. They’ll tell how they turned a homophobic remark by the police commissioner into cooperation with the LGBTQ community, helping solve violent attacks against gay men – and how they continue fighting for equality in a country whose politics keep shifting right.
It’s a rare chance to hear their personal stories, ask questions, and get an insider’s view of a community in Israeli society.
6:30pm-7pm: Light Dinner
7pm-8:30pm: Discussion with Q&A
Register here
About The Aguda
Founded in 1975, The Aguda is Israel’s national LGBTQ+ organization, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Aguda coordinates the entire LGBTQ+ field in Israel: convening a coalition of 20 LGBTQ+ organizations, leading nationwide campaigns, advancing policy and legislation, and mobilizing protests that protect and expand equality.
Click here to read The J.’s article on The Aguda and their upcoming visit to the Bay.

Social Justice in our Texts: Jewish Wisdom for Building a Better World
2025-11-17 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
A Monthly Study Series
Poverty. Climate change. Racial justice. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Human rights. Tikkun Olam.
What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society?
Throughout this year, join us to take a monthly, one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts.
Bodily Autonomy & Reproductive Rights with Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshien
November 17 at 3pm ET / 12pm PT
Sign up

This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Tzedek Box.
This program is part of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

Social Justice in our Texts: Jewish Wisdom for Building a Better World
2025-12-08 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
A Monthly Study Series
Poverty. Climate change. Racial justice. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Human rights. Tikkun Olam.
What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society?
Throughout this year, join us to take a monthly, one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts.
Repairing the World: Tikkun Olam as a Mystical Praxis with Rabbi Leiah Moser
December 8 at 3pm ET / 12pm PT
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This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Tzedek Box.
This program is part of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

Social Justice in our Texts: Jewish Wisdom for Building a Better World
2026-01-12 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
A Monthly Study Series
Poverty. Climate change. Racial justice. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Human rights. Tikkun Olam.
What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society?
Throughout this year, join us to take a monthly, one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts.
The Torah of Reparations with Jordan Berg Power
January 12 at 3pm ET / 12pm PT
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This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Tzedek Box.
This program is part of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

Social Justice in our Texts: Jewish Wisdom for Building a Better World
2026-02-02 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
A Monthly Study Series
Poverty. Climate change. Racial justice. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Human rights. Tikkun Olam.
What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society?
Throughout this year, join us to take a monthly, one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts.
Jewish Responses to Climate Change with Rabbi Glenn Jacob
February 2 at 3pm ET / 12pm PT
Sign up

This program is organized by Laasok: The Liberal Beit MIdrash, and co-sponsored by: A Wider Bridge, AMMUD: Jews of Color Torah Academy, Central Synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Michigan, Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley, Keshet, Kirva Institute, Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Tzedek Box.
This program is part of the “Social Justice in our Texts” Study Series.
Free and open to all. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice
