KULANU IS A PLACE FOR ALL OF US!
Kulanu – who we are |
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Kulanu Calendar |
Kulanu History |
GLBT Jewish Study Resources |
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KULANU - Who We Are
Are you Jewish and identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer? Are you looking for a place to call your spiritual home? Congregation B’nai Israel has a wonderful place for you. Kulanu, which means "ALL OF US", is the GLBTQ outreach group within this wonderfully open and accepting congregation.
Kulanu offers a place to meet other people, like you, who want to connect or re-connect with their Jewishness and find a community home that welcomes them. This is a group which continues to evolve, where we are open to ideas and projects for the members to do and share together. The possibilities are endless and you 
can make a difference.
We regularly hold Shabbat dinners, Jewish holiday celebrations, discussions, and outreach programs to bring GLBT issues to the larger community.
This is an opportunity to get involved and take advantage of a host of opportunities that are available with the support of the clergy and Congregation. It’s also a chance to be positive role models for the younger gays and lesbians who are children of some of the congregants. Many Kulanu members are also actively involved in the full range of congregational opportunities – adult learning, teaching in Religious School, temple committees, and regular Shabbat and Festival communal worship.
The group currently consists of GLBTQ Jews of all ages and levels of spirituality. Non-Jewish partners and spouses are welcome too, and often join us for our gatherings. Some people are just exploring the Jewish faith and using this group as a way to journey safely with people whom they feel comfortable. Some have children and some don’t. We recognize that everyone has their own story and we look forward to hearing yours.
Please feel free to contact Val Bogner, 203-521-0182 (cell), or Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, 203-336-1858 if you’re interested in finding out more about us and would like to be added to our confidential mailing list. We look forward to meeting you.
KULANU HISTORY
B’nai Israel’s outreach group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Jews was formed in 2003 to reach out to GLBT Jews from B’nai Israel and statewide. Rabbi Jim Prosnit conceived the idea of a GLBT group at the synagogue and it was under the guidance of Rabbi Fred Greene and Lisa Knicos that the group officially formed. We now have Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz to thank for her thoughtfulness and wisdom which have enabled Kulanu to flourish. The group would not be possible without the active leadership of several members!
KULANU CALENDAR
Please join us for a fantastic Kulanu gathering:
Kulanu Havdalah and Discussion with Rabbi Molly Kane
“From Leviticus 18 to Inclusive Congregations:
How do we understand the shift from fear to welcoming, and where do we still need to go from here?”
December 1, 2012
4:30-6pm
Congregation B’nai Israel
(Optional dinner in Fairfield to follow)
Please RSVP to Rabbi Evan Schultz, eschultz@cbibpt.org or Val Bogner, bogie4@gmail.com
LOCAL COMMUNITY & RESOURCE CENTERS
JEWISH GLBT STUDY RESOURCES
- Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. This website includes a wonderful online resource center with text studies, sermons, articles and rituals of interest to GLBT Jews. It includes one of the best transgender resources available for Jews. You can also sign up for their weekly ‘Torah Queeries’ commentary on the weekly Torah portion. http://www.jewishmosaic.org/
- World Congress of GLBT Jews. http://www.glbtjews.org/
- Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center. An online resource center provided by the Reform Movement’s Hebrew Union College that contains study materials, rituals, Q&As etc. You need to register to access the center, but it is a free resource. http://elearning.huc.edu/jhvrc/
- Jewish Queer Youth. A support and information site for Jews who are GLBTQ and aged 17-30. It was established by Jews who are or were Orthodox. http://www.jqyouth.org/
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The Institute for Judaism and Sexual