Q
Enriching Our Jewish Community
Through LGBTQ Inclusion
November 2015
To mark Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, 
 some words from a Westchester transgender teen 
who is a member of Mosaic's Teen Advisory Council.
 
November 20th is Trans Day of Remembrance. On this day we remember all of the transgender people whose lives were disrupted or lost due to violence directed at them.  As of November 12, 2015, there have been twenty-two murders this year of transgender women in the United States alone, almost double the number of twelve from last year.  These acts of violence are not rooted in reason but rather come from senseless hatred of transgender people.

I share from experience that being transgender is not easy. It is awful to deal with internal pressures like gender dysphoria, a horrible sensation of distress stemming from the feeling that one's body isn't close enough to the gender they know they are. 

I t is just as terrible trying to handle external pressures like the complex task of trying to fit into a society in which many people do not accept your existence.  It is literally terrifying to be forced to legitimately worry that someone will hurt you because they have 
decided that you deserve punishment just for being who you are.

Please spend a moment on the 20th thinking about all of the transgender people who have suffered due to ignorance and violence, and those who ultimately lost their lives trying to be their true selves. If you do know someone who is transgender, let them know that you support them. Something as simple as that can make a huge difference. Also, please s hare this with friends and family so they too can understand the importance of today.


December 2, 7:30-9:30 pm
Marriage Equality, LGBT Rights
and Jewish Values 
Location: JCC of Midwestchester

The historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide affirms Jewish values of equality, yet opponents of the ruling question its impact on religion.

Join  Rabbi David Schuck  of Temple Beth El of New Rochelle in conversation with  Rabbi Deborah Waxman, President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College,  and  Seth Marnin, Associate Legal Director of the ADL,  on the intersection of queerness, Jewishness and civil rights. 

Tickets: $20 for adults, 18 and under are free!   Click here for more details and tickets. For discount tickets, contact Bina Raskin.

This program is in collaboration with the Anti -Defamation League, Mosaic of Westchester, Beth El Synagogue Center and the Scarsdale Adult School of Education


December 4, 7:30-9:30 pm
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester LGBTQ Shabbat Evening
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester-Rye is hosting a Shabbat evening for the LGBTQ Community. Singles, families, and allies are welcome. The event is being co-sponsored by Mosaic of Westchester.


December 12, 7:30-10 pm
LGBTQ Teens and Allies C hanukah Party
Location: Rosenthal JCC

Bring your friends and join us for a fun event, planned by teens for teens, as we celebrate Chanukah together! We'll be making doughnuts and edible dreidels and will have a variety of other delicious Chanukah snacks. This is a free event for Jewish teens in 9th-12th grade, planned by the Teen Mosaic Advisory Council of Mosaic of Westchester.  Event Flyer

December 13, 1-4 pm
Chanukah Brunch for LGBTQ Adults
Come celebrate Chanukah together! Join us at a private home in White Plains for a potluck brunch and bring your favorite dish or dessert. The festivities include a Chanukah grab bag, so bring a gift of $10 or less and join the fun! For more information and to RSVP, contact  Bina Raskin.


January 8, 7-9:30 pm
Westchester Jewish Center 
LGBTQ Shabbat Evening
Join Mosaic and WJC's Rhythm and Ruach service, an uplifting, participatory, musical Kabbalat Shabbat accompanied by instrumental music. Following the service, there will be an Oneg featuring Mosaic's Director, Bina Raskin, and her wife, Dr. Jama Purser, as guest speakers. The entire LGBTQ community--singles, families and allies--are welcome!
Contact :
Bina Raskin, Director
701 Westchester Ave | Suite 203E
White Plains, NY 10604
914-262-6555
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