We Proudly Present: The Purim Superhero

As you may have guessed, we’re huge fans of Jewish children’s books, which is why we were very excited to co-sponsor the launch of The Purim Superhero, the first LGBT-inclusive Jewish children’s book in English!

This book, written by Elisabeth Kushner and illustrated by Mike Byrne, was the winner of Keshet’s National Book-Writing Contest, and we couldn’t be happier to finally see it released from Kar-Ben Publishing.

So what’s it all about?

Nate loves everything about aliens. He loves to draw aliens, he loves to read about aliens, and loves to think about aliens. So when it comes time to choose a costume for Purim, Nate naturally knew what he was going to be; that is until his friends at Hebrew school told him that all the boys would be dressing up as superheroes.

Worried about being different from his classmates, Nate seeks advice from his two dads, who suggest that being different can sometimes be a good thing. The reader might expect Nate’s dads to use their own family as an example. Instead, they point Nate to the lesson of Purim which celebrates Queen Esther, a girl whose courage to be true to herself ends up saving her people.

Young readers may be surprised what Nate learns from this lesson and what Nate learns from this lesson and what costume he finally chooses.

If you’re as excited as we are about the publication of The Purim Superhero, head over to its official website where you can buy the book and check out the book parties going on around the country or sign up to host your own. Happy Purim to all!

Muted criticism from Jewish, LGBT Obama allies on Hagel pick

Key Jewish and gay groups aren't ecstatic about President Obama's decision to nominate Chuck Hagel on Monday to lead the Pentagon, but leaders representing both communities are signaling that they won't wage war against the pick.

While there is reluctance from groups and individuals generally supportive of Obama, critics from the Jewish and gay communities aren't going on the record with outright opposition to the choice of the former Nebraska senator.

Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said in a Monday statement that Hagel "would not have been my first choice" but that it's the "president's prerogative" to choose who he wants serving in his Cabinet.

Foxman does, though, hope that the confirmation process will clarify Hagel's positions that "seem so out of sync with President Obama’s clear commitment on issues like Iran sanctions, isolating Hamas and Hezbollah and the president’s strong support for a deepening of U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation."

Foxman also wants to see Hagel "clarify and explain his comments about the 'Jewish Lobby' that were hurtful to many in the Jewish Community."

Just-retired Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) had been a vocal critic of the pick as recently as a few days ago -- in part because of Hagel's 1998 comments that a U.S. diplomat was "openly, aggresively gay," for which he has since apologized -- but has come to terms with Obama's choice. “I was hoping the president wouldn’t nominate him,” Frank told the Boston Globe on Monday morning, but he's willing to look past Hagel's controversial comments on gay Americans in the interest of the country's national security priorities.

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Queer Jewish Student Retreat 2013

Come get your Queer Jew on at Nehirim’s Queer Jewish Student Retreat!

Join 80–100 LGBTQ Jewish students, plus friends and allies, for a weekend of fun, learning, connection, and Judaism. The NQJSR is directed by Ethan Sobel, Alex Kaufman, and Rachel Stein — all current students. It is a participatory, inclusive space that welcomes Super Jews, atheists, allies — and YOU. The program includes relevant workshops, inspiring services, evening activities, and plenty of chill time. It’s presented by Nehirim, a national LGBT Jewish community, and cosponsored by Keshet and NUJLS, the National Union of Jewish LGBTQ Students.

Click here to register now
WHEN? Friday to Sunday, March 1–3, 2013

WHO? We expect between 80-100 LGBTQ Jewish students, plus allies, from across the religious-ideological spectrum and with a wide variety of gender and sexual orientation identities. This retreat is limited to active students under the age of 30 only.

PARTICIPATE: Directed by volunteers, this Retreat is largely community-led and teaching opportunities are available. What would you like to teach or share? Email Ethan, Alex, and Rachel to get in touch.

HOW MUCH? Thanks to the generosity of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, the pricing for the retreat is heavily subsidized. In addition, financial aid and travel grants are available for this retreat — click the link to apply, prior to January 1. Pricing for the Student Retreat is:

Base Rate — $129
Discounted Rate — $99 Early Bird Super-Discount Rate: $89 (until January 15 only)
Supporter Rate — $175 (please pay this if you can)

BU Students: You are eligible for a $20 rebate if you host a visiting student for the retreat. Please email to volunteer. We will hand you a check during the weekend.

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Gay Jews in the U.K. to Document Life Over the Rainbow

A new grant from the UK Heritage Lottery Fund will allow the gay Jewish community to research, record and archive its colorful roots.

Coming out to your rabbi can be a nerve-wracking experience, particularly when he's the head of the United Synagogue, which represents much of England's Jewish community – and your boss. But Mark Solomon, an Orthodox minister at the time, recalls that the reaction of Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks at their pivotal meeting in January 1992 was "quite kind."

"Under his breath, he said 'Oh my God.' Then he gave me a little spiel about why he thought homosexuality was wrong – but he wished me well and said that the door was always open."

Most significantly, says Solomon, who had already decided to leave his job as a rabbi at an orthodox London synagogue, Sacks allowed him to work out the remainder of his job.

The experience of Solomon, now 49 and a prominent rabbi in UK's Liberal Synagogue, is likely to be part of a landmark project launching next month to record the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews in the United Kingdom.

The two-year "Rainbow Jews" initiative, the first of its kind in the UK, has been awarded a grant of nearly 60,000 pounds by the UK Heritage Lottery Fund to research, record and archive the experiences of British LGBT Jews from the 1950s until the present day. The theme of the project, conducted under the auspices of the Liberal Judaism movement, is "Pioneers and Milestones."

British Jews have long been something of pioneers in LGBT rights. The Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, was the first body of its kind established in the world. The first ordination of an openly LGBT rabbi came in 1989, when Elizabeth Tikva Sarah graduated from the progressive Leo Baeck College.

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