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
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*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
