June 2007
Regional News
San Francisco

San Francisco’s Congregation Sha’ar Zahav has received a grant from the Jewish Community Endowment Fund for its Queer Interfaith Project, an initiative to promote access and connection to Jewish community activities for LGBT interfaith families. The Reform congregation, which was established in 1977, serves an inclusive community with a focus on meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews.

Funding will support three components: curriculum development, outreach and educational sessions. In the area of curriculum, new materials will be developed that are relevant to the diverse racial and ethnic composition of families in the LGBT community. Seminars for adults and children will focus on religious tradition, spiritual issues, and parenting choices in spiritual development of children. In addition, follow-up gatherings will be held to strengthen social connections.

The new program will address a variety of complex issues arising in LGBT families. For information, contact the synagogue at 415-861-6932.

Interfaith Connection, based at the JCC of San Francisco, has two workshops on the agenda in June. An ongoing seven session Discussion Series for Interfaith/Intercultural Couples, led by Interfaith Connection director Helena McMahon, LMFT, will reflect on family and child rearing issues, holiday celebrations and spiritual concerns. Sessions take place Monday, from 7 – 9 p.m. and the cost is based on a sliding scale.

A one-day workshop, Yours, Mine, Ours: Negotiating Interfaith/Intercultural Family Choices, is slated for Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also led by McMahon, the workshop will be interactive and will involve discussion, individual/group activities and didactic presentation.

For information and registration for either, contact Interfaith Connection at 415-292-1200.

 

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