Activities & Programs
Upcoming Activities
Previous Activities
2012
Apr
May
Jun
“In This Day and Age?!: A Community at the Crossroads of Religion and Homosexuality" – Book Reading & Discussion by Dr. Isaac Namdar
April 29, 2012, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Beth Chayim Chadashim
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/339577636054869/
LGBT Family Retreat
April 20-22, 2012
Shalom Institute, Malibu, CA
For more information, click here
Co-sponsored by IJSO
Los Angeles Pastoral Care Series
Open to clergy and chaplaincy students and professionals RSVP to kcottrill@huc.edu
Marriage & Divorce, Part 2
April 18, 2012
Los Angeles LGBT Pastoral Care Series, American Jewish University
Presenters: Dr. Rachel Adler & Rabbi Dr. Aryeh Cohen
The 5 session LGBT Pastoral Care Series was developed by seminary students from American Jewish University, Ziegler Rabbinic Program, Academy of Jewish Religion – Los Angeles, and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion - Los Angeles, and realized by the Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation.
Illness & Mourning
April 1, 2012
Los Angeles LGBT Pastoral Care Series, Academy of Jewish Religion
Presenters: Rabbi Anne Brener & Rabbi Rochelle Robins
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Spirituality and Sexuality: Bridging The Divide
March 29, 2012
USC School of Social Work
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
View it here
Gender Identity & Transitions
March 25, 2012
Los Angeles LGBT Pastoral Care Series, Temple Beth Am
Presenters: Rabbi Aaron Alexander & Rabbi Elliot Kukla
Marriage & Divorce, Part 1
March 11, 2012
Los Angeles LGBT Pastoral Care Series, Congregation Kol Ami
Presenters: Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Rabbi Denise Eger, & Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer
Coming Out & Being an Effective Ally
February 29, 2012
Los Angeles LGBT Pastoral Care Series, Beth Chayim Chadashim
Presenters: Dr. Mark Danson, Rabbi Jan Offel & Felicia Park-Rogers.
The 5 session LGBT Pastoral Care Series was developed by seminary students from American Jewish University, Ziegler Rabbinic Program, Academy of Jewish Religion – Los Angeles, and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion - Los Angeles, and realized by the Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation.
Interfaith Spirituality & Sexuality Retreat
February 10-12, 2012
USC Hillel, Brandeis Bardin Institute
Invited Facilitator: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
What to say to "That's So Gay!"
February 2, 2012
Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DeLeT) Fellows Program, Health & Jewish Values, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Next Strategies for LGBT Jewish Movement Building
January 27, 2012
Creating Change Conference, Baltimore, MD
Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
It Gets Better - Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Youth
December 16, 2011
Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Convention, Washington, D.C.
Panel Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Ongoing Rabbinic Internships
The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation provides partial scholarships for field placements in institutions serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community to help train emerging Jewish professionals. Students who receive scholarships for these placements are expected to develop a product by the end of their time in placement that will reflect both their learning and provide a new resource for the community within which they served.
Prepare & Enrich Pre-Marital Counseling Workshop
November 18, 2011
Kalsman Institute for Judaism & Health, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Presenter: Dr. Joel Kushner
IJSO Develops “Unique Aspects of Pre-Marital Counseling for Same-Gender Couples.”
November 2011
Kalsman Institute of Judaism & Health Prepare & Enrich Pre-Marital Counseling Workshop.
Developed by: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kenna Cottrill, M.S.
Teachers’ Seminar- Tel Aviv - Los Angeles School Twinning Program
November 16, 2011
Beth Chayim Chadashim, Los Angeles, CA
Panel Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner.
God vs. Gay: A Conversation
November 15, 2011
Congregation Kol Ami, Los Angeles, CA
Moderated by: Dr. Joel L. Kushner; Featuring Jay Michaelson & Rabbi Denise Eger
Righteous Conversations Project PSA Screening
November 15, 2011
Santa Monica, CA
IJSO was gifted a “Love all Families” PSA. Kenna Cottrill, M.S. accepted the PSA.
Faith Issues: Questions are Better than Answers
October 15, 2011
Models of Pride Parent Workshop, Los Angeles, CA
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Water Wells – Film Screening
July 12, 2011
Los Angeles, CA
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration, Directors Guild of America
LGBTQQIAA... - Alphabet Soup or Meaningful Differences?
March 9, 2011
Wildwood School Multicultural Symposium, Los Angeles, CA Featured Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kenna Cottrill
Creating Change: Jewish Movement Building Workshops
February 4 & 5, 2011
Minneapolis, MN
Workshop #1: (LGBTQ) Justice, (LGBTQ) Justice You Shall Pursue - February 4, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Workshop #2: LGBT Synagogues and Organizations: Surfacing our Diversity and Fitting the Mosaic Together, February 5, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Workshop #3: Building Bridges To Wholeness: Next Strategies for LGBT Jewish Movement Building, February 5, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Co-sponsors: Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, IJSO, Keshet, and Nehirim
What to say to "That's So Gay!"
January 20, 2011
Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DeLeT) Fellows Program, Health & Jewish Values, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Wrestling with God & Men: Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition
January 9-14, 2011
30 hour - Intersession Intensive, HUC-JIR, Cincinnati, OH
Instructors: Rabbi Steve Greenberg & Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Moving beyond "But we already welcome everyone."
December 17, 2010
Kehillat Israel, Pacific Palisades, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Lunch & Learn: Updates & Opportunities on IJSO Projects
December 7, 2010
Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Presenters: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kenna Cottrill
Weaving a Safety Net for our LGBTQ Youth: BCC Town Hall.
November 09, 2010
Co-Sponsored by BCC
Los Angeles, CA
Israeli, Orthodox & Gay
November 3, 2010
Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists: Leaders of Havruta and Bat Kol, Israel's largest LGBT Orthodox organizations
Sponsored By: Temple Beth Am; A Wider Bridge, Beth Chayim Chadashim; Congregation Kol Ami; JQ International; and the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation, HUC-JIR
LGBTQ Liturgy and Siddur Sha'ar Zahav: Creation, Adaptation, Retention
October 12, 2010
Hebrew Union College Lunchtime Program, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists: Rabbi Camille Angel, Michael Tyler, Andrew Ramer, and Martin Tannenbaum from Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
Co-Sponsored by: IJSO, HUC-JIR Office of Student Life, & Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
Best Practices for LGBT Inclusion in Jewish Institutions
August 14, 2010
20th World Conference of GLBT Jews
UCLA Hillel, Los Angeles, CA
Presenters: Asher Gellis, JQ International, & Dr. Joel L. Kushner
The 20th World Conference of GLBT Jews
August 13-15
UCLA Hillel, Los Angeles, CA
Co-Sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Queer Jewpardy Tabling
May 11, 2010
Santa Monica College PRIDE Fest, Santa Monica, CA
Featured Speaker: Kenna Cottrill, M.S., Program Associate
Jews in the LGBT Community
April 20, 2010
Hillel, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA
Featured Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Rabbi Zach Shapiro (Temple Akiba and IJSO Advisory Board Chair), Jannelle K. Eagle (JQ International)
GLBTQ IQ
April 19, 2010
American Jewish History - Dr. Leah Hochman, HUC-JIR, Los Angeles
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
IJSO Develops Same-Gender Pre-Marital Counseling Supplement
April 2010
Kalsman Institute on Judaism & Health, Pre-Marital Counseling Workshop, Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Supplement developed by Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kenna Cottrill, M.S.
LGBTQQIAA... - Alphabet Soup or Meaningful Differences?
March 10, 2010
Wildwood School Multicultural Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Featured Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kenna Cottrill
Working at the Intersections of Religion and Sexuality - What Do You Need to Know?
March 3, and 17, 2010
Psychology Training Program, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA.
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner.
Working at the Intersections of Religion and Sexuality - What Do You Need to Know? Part 1
March 3, 2010
Psychology Training Program, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA.
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner 7 Daniel Gould, LCSW
Camp "Orientation" or Living "Out" the Values We Espouse
February 22, 2010
Camp Directors Seminar, Brandeis Bardin Institute, Los Angeles, CA
Sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camp Yitro Fellowship Program for Assistant and Associate Directors
Featured Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Inclusion
February 11, 2010
Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DeLeT) Fellows Program, Health & Jewish Values, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Faith & LGBTI Equality: Talking the Talk & Walking the Walk
February 6, 2010
Creating Change, Dallas, TX
Presenters: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Kerry Chaplin, California Faith for Equality
Empowering People of Faith -- Training for Action: For Motivated Clergy and the Organizers Who Don't Understand Them
February 4, 2010
Creating Change, Dallas, TX
Featured Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Harry Knox, Human Rights Campaign
Shiur Klali: LGBT 101 + How to Make Your Organization a Welcoming Space
February 2, 2010
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University. Los Angeles, CA
Lecturer: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Human Rights Campaign, Marriage Equality Advocacy Training Pilot.
January 26, 2010
Washington, DC.
Presenters: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Dr. Sharon Groves.
Leviticus 18:22 - What's a Modern Boi or Grrl To Do?
January 15-17, 2010
National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students (NUJLS) Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA
Co-Sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
LGBT Inclusion: Promise & Actuality in the Reform Movement
December 9, 2009
Reform Jewish History - Dr. Carole Balin, HUC-JIR
Featured Presenter: Dr. Joel Kushner
California Faith For Equality Marriage Equality Advocacy Training
November 17, 2009
All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA
Presenters: Dr. Joel Kushner and Dr. Sharon Groves, Human Rights Campaign
Keshet National Training Institute
November 8-11, 2009
Brandeis Bardin Institute, Los Angeles, CA
Co-Sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Making Your Congregation A Welcoming Place for GLBT Jews
November 5, 2009
Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Convention, Toronto, Canada.
Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner.
Keeping the Faith for Marriage Equality
November 2, 2009
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, CA
Co-sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Leviticus 18:22 - Who's Sleeping With Who and What's a Modern Boi or Grrl To Do?
October 18, 2009
Models of Pride Conference for LGBTQ Youth.
Sponsored by the IJSO
Presented by Rabbi Joe Hample.
Issues of Tolerance versus Welcome and Inclusion at Jewish Summer Camps.
September 24, 2009
JWest Campership Summit, Foundation for Jewish Camp
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Working at the Intersections of Religion and Sexuality - What Do You Need to Know?
August 25, 2009
Psychology Training Program, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA.
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner.
Standing in Solidarity: Service of memorial and healing for the victims and the survivors of the shooting at the Tel Aviv LGBT Center
August 5, 2009
Beth Chayim Chadashim, Los Angeles, CA
Co-sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Tu B'Av Summer Love-In - Love, Progress, & Hope
August 4, 2009
Progressive Jewish Alliance, Los Angeles, CA
Co-sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Women on the Verge - Film Screening
July 11, 2009
Los Angeles, CA
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration, Directors Guild of America
Marriage Equality: Where do we go from here? A discussion with California Faith for Equality and IJSO
June 15, 2009
Beverly Hills, CA
Featured Speakers: Dr. Joel L. Kushner and Kerry Chaplin, California Faith for Equality
Know the Heart of the Stranger...What is the meaning of true inclusion?
May 15, 2009
Temple Beth Israel, Pomona, CA
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Midrash & Medicine: Imagining Wholeness
May 11-13, 2009
Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California
Sponsored by the Kalsman Institute on Judaism & Health and the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
LGBT Jews: The Rise of Personal Identity Movements
April 29, 2009
American Jewish History - Dr. David Kaufman, Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
13th Annual Multicultural Passover Freedom Seder: The Struggle for Marriage Equality
April 14, 2009
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Sponsor: IJSO
What Do Jewish Values Tell Us about Proposition 8?
March 13, 2009
Congregation Shir Chadash, Lakewood, CA
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Welcoming Synagogues Project Strategic Convening Public Forum & Research Findings
March 2, 2009
American Jewish University, Mulholland Campus
Featured Speaker: Dr. Caryn Aviv, Jewish Mosaic
Welcoming Synagogues Project Strategic Convening Public Forum - An Overview of Diversity, Inclusion, and Welcoming in Religious Contexts
March 1, 2009
American Jewish University, Mulholland Campus
Panelists: Rabbi Denise Eger, Congregation Kol Ami, President, PAAR; Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Program Director, Institute for Welcoming Resources; Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Valley Beth Shalom; Dr. Bernard Schlager, Interim Deputy Director, The Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry
Welcoming Synagogues Project Strategic Convening Public Forum & Research Findings
February 23, 2009
Jewish Community Center of Manhattan
Featured Speakers: Dr. Steven Cohen, Synagogue 3000 & Dr. Caryn Aviv, Jewish Mosaic
Welcoming Synagogues Project Strategic Convening Public Forum - An Overview of Diversity, Inclusion, and Welcoming in the Jewish World
February 22, 2009
Jewish Community Center of Manhattan
Panelists: Idit Klein, Executive Director, Keshet; Paul Golin, Associate Executive Director, Jewish Outreach Institute, Rabbi Rebecca Alpert, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religion and Women's Studies, Religion Department, Temple University
Health & Jewish Values - LGBT Issues in Education -- DeLeT Lecture
February 19, 2009
Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DeLeT) Fellows Lecture
Los Angeles, CA
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
What is the Current State of the Pro-LGBT Religious Movement?
January 28 - February 1, 2009
The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Denver, CO
Featured Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Gregg Drinkwater, Executive Director of Jewish Mosaic, & Dr. Caryn Aviv, Research Director of Jewish Mosaic
Equality Summit People of Faith Breakout Session
January 24, 2009
Los Angeles, CA
Facilitator: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Judaism & Homosexuality
January 12, 2009
Issues in Theory and Practice - Senior Seminar - Rabbinics, Rabbi Ken Kanter, Hebrew-Union College-JIR Cincinnati, OH
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Judaism & LGBT Issues: What 1000 Rabbis Think You Should Learn in Seminary
January 5 - 9, 2009
Inter-session Intensive, HUC-JIR, Cincinnati, OH
Instructors: Rabbi Joshua Lesser and Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Judaism & Sexual Orientation: The Effects of Prop. 8
November 22, 2008
Havurah Tikvah, Los Angeles, CA
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
What Clergy and Educators need to know about the Coming Out Process
November 18, 2008
A Lunch and Learn Experience. Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists: Sara Cannon, Rabbi Jonathan Klein, and Sylvia Weisenberg
Human Development
November 7, 2008
Human Development - Dr. Larry Garf, School of Education, Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Knowing the Heart of the Stranger: Judaism and Homosexuality from the Bible to Proposition 8.
November 2, 2008
Temple Israel of Long Beach; Annual Pilger Lecture
Featured Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Faith for Equality: A Multi-Faith No on Prop. 8 Call to Action
November 1, 2008
Los Angeles, CA
Co-Sponsor: The Institute for Judaism & Sexual Orientation
Leviticus 18:22 - Who's Sleeping With Who and What's a Modern Boi or Grrl To Do?
November 1, 2008
Models of Pride Conference for LGBTQ Youth. Occidental College, Eagle Rock, CA
Presenters: IJSO staff and guest facilitators
Religious Perspectives on Integration of LGBT Issues and Aging
October 13, 2008
SAGE - National Conference on LGBT Aging
Moderator: Dr. Joel L. Kushner; Panelists: Rabbi Richard Address, Dr. John E Hirsch, Herbert Leiman, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, Barbara Satin
No Matter What You Are, There You Are: Understanding Gender and Sexual Orientation in our Jewish Community.
August 25, 2008
Hebrew Union College-JIR Opening Kallah, Kutz Camp, New York.
Facilitators: Karen Perolman and Neil Hirsch.
Beyond the Gender Binary: The Tumtum & the Androgynos in Antiquity and Transgender & Intersex Communities Today.
August 24, 2008
Hebrew Union College- JIR Opening Kallah, Kutz Camp, New York. Facilitators: Imani Henry, Jo Hirschman, Melissa Simon.
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration Closing Dinner and Havdalah Service.
July 26, 2008
West Hollywood, CA.
Introduction to the IJSO and its resources.
July 24, 2008
Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DeLeT) fellows Orientation
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Antarctica - Film Screening and After Party to follow.
July 20, 2008
OUTFEST Community Collaborator, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
Her Own Way - Film Screening.
July 13, 2008
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
Seeds of Summer - Film Screening and Wine Tasting to follow.
July 13, 2008
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
Contemporary Jewish Issues: LGBT Jews - A Marginalized Population.
July 10, 2008
School of Jewish Communal Service, HUC-JIR Los Angeles Campus
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Citizen Nawi - Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion.
July 10, 2008
OUTFEST Community Collaborator, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA. Panel Discussion with Rabbi Denise Eger, representing Jerusalem Open House and Rivka Ben Daniel, Board member, Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation.
The Secrets - Film Screening and post film Mixer.
July 10, 2008
OUTFEST Jewish LGBT Collaboration, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
Marriage Equality and Judaism: A Text Study
May 20, 2008
Pacific Southwest Council Executive Committee, Union for Reform Judaism. Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner.
Leviticus 18:22 - Creating a Safe Space to Discuss Difficult Texts.
May 20, 2008
Leviticus - Dr. Tamara Eskenazi. Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA.
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Jeffrey A. Miller Scholar in Residence Weekend at Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
May 16-17, 2008
Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco, CA
Scholar: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Learning and Teaching Inclusive Jewish Sexual Ethics for Teenagers
April 29, 2008
A Joint Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and Kalsman Institute for Judaism and Health Lunch and Learn Experience
Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Rabbi Deborah Schuldenfrei, Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'a lot, Irvine, CA
USC Hillel and JAGS (Jewish and Gay Students at USC) LGBT Seder
Premier of the Haggadah (service/prayer book) developed by JQ International, and the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation

April 26, 2008
Los Angeles, CA.
Leader: Student Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg.
LGBT Jews: The Rise of Personal Identity Movements
April 15, 2008
American Jewish History - Dr. David Kaufman, Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
To Have and To Hold - Faith Leaders Speak on the Freedom to Marry - You Tube Video launch.
April 8, 2008
Developed with California Faith for Equality
Understanding the Basics - LGBTQQIAAGNC
April 8, 2008
Gender and Judaism - Rabbi Lisa Edwards, Ph.D., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Homosexuality in Judaism
April 1, 2008
Day of Silence Commemoration, Milken Community High School, Los Angeles, CA
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Celebrating Inclusion at Jewish Theological Seminary.
March 26, 2008
Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, New York. A day of celebration and reflection on the one year anniversary of admitting openly lesbian and gay students to the rabbinical and cantorial schools at JTS
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Panelist
Health and Jewish Values - Day School Leadership Through Teaching (DELET) Fellows Seminar
March 13, 2008
Dr. Joel L. Kushner discussed LGBT families, school inclusion and Jewish Values.
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus.
Nehirim West GLBT Jewish Spiritual Retreat
March 7-8, 2008
Walker Creek Ranch, San Francisco, CA
Co-sponsor: IJSO
Using Kulanu, an LGBT Guide to Inclusion to Change Communities
March 1, 2008
Department of Jewish Family Concerns Annual Advisory Board Meeting, Union for Reform Judaism. Dr Joel L. Kushner, Invited speaker.
Trans 101: Gender Diversity in Judaism
February 18, 2008
LimmudLA Conference Costa Mesa, CA
Presenters: Rabbi Julie Pelc and Daniel Gould, MSW
Making Your Congregation and Community a Welcoming Place for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Jews
February 17, 2008
LimmudLA Conference Costa Mesa, CA
Presenter: Dr. Joel Kushner
Leviticus 18:22 : Who's Laying with Who and What's a Modern Jew to Do???
February 8-10, 2008
National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students (NUJLS) Conference.
Presenter: Jay Golden
Empowering People of Faith: What You Need to Change Your Community
February 6-8, 2008
Creating Change: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Conference for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Movement, Detroit, Michigan
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Homosexuality in the Middle Ages
January 29, 2008
A Lunch and Learn Experience with Maggie Anton, noted author of the Rashi's Daughters series. Hebrew Union College-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Building Bridges: Allies and Outreach - Between and Within Trans and Non Trans Communities in Religious Denominations
January 19-21, 2008
Transgender Religious Summit. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA.
Making Your Congregation A Welcoming Place for GLBT Jews
Biennial Convention - Union for Reform Judaism. San Diego California

December 12, 2007
Contemporary American Jewish Issues: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Jews
December 4, 2007
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, guest lecturer - School of Jewish Communal Service, HUC-JIR Los Angeles Campus
Dev(OUT): Faith and Religion
October 20, 2007
(OUT) Giving, Los Angeles, CA Sponsored by the Gill Foundation and the Liberty Hill Foundation
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, panelist
Kulanu: All of Us - A Program and Resource Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Inclusion
A Lunch and Learn Seminar at HUC-JIR, Los Angeles
Presenter: Dr. Joel L. Kushner

October 16, 2007
Participants in this seminar explored the resources and tools of "Kulanu: All of Us", the new program and resource guide to develop LGBT Inclusion in Congregations. The IJSO was the senior editor of the project which was published by Union for Reform Judaism Press in 2007.
Being Young, Queer and Religious - Is it Possible?: A Roundtable Discussion
15th Annual Models of Pride Conference. Occidental College, Glendale, CA
Presenters: Dr. Joel L. Kushner & Jay Golden

September 6, 2007
Managing Pioneering Programs
July 31, 2007
School of Jewish Communal Service, Los Angeles, CA Presenter: Avi Rose, MAJCS, LCSW, Executive Director, Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay and co-editor of the anthology Twice Blessed - On Being Lesbian or Gay and Jewish
Archives Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - The Creation, Design and Evolution of a Virtual Resource Center on Judaism, Sexual Orientation and Gender
June 19, 2007
Association of Jewish Libraries Conference. Scottsdale, AZ
LGBT issues with religion (and religion's issues with LGBT people) - How does this impact ideas about Recovery/spirituality/12-step?
June 6, 2007
LGBT, Substances and Recovery - A day of Training by the Los Angeles County HIV Drug and Alcohol Task Force
Los Angeles, California
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation Advisory Board Meeting
June 6, 2007
Nehirim GLBT Jewish Spiritual Retreat
May 18-20, 2007
Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality, CT
Co-sponsor: IJSO
Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation
Advisory Board Meeting

February 21, 2007
Out and Faithful Coming Out To Love
February 12, 2007
A joint project between the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
Health and Jewish Values - DELET Fellows Seminar
February 8, 2007
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Invited Speaker: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Inclusion Resources ...But Didn't Know Where to Find
February 6, 2007
Lunch & Learn Seminar, HUC-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Co-sponsors: Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Tartak Learning Center
Out and Faithful Open House Faith Fair
January 17, 2007
A joint project between the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Families in a Jewish Context
November 21, 2006
Lunch & Learn Seminar, HUC-JIR, Los Angeles, CA
Presenter: Felicia Park-Rogers, Executive Director, Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim
Empowering People of Faith: Connections and Opportunities
November 9, 2006
Creating Change: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Conference for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Movement, Kansas City, MO
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
Being Young, Queer and Religious - Is it Possible?: A Roundtable Discussion

November 4, 2006
Models of Pride Conference. Occidental College, Glendale, CA
Transgender 101: Gender Diversity in Judaism - A Continuing Education Seminar of Jewish Family Services. Los Angeles, CA
November 1, 2006
Agency for Jewish Education (AJE) Back to School Teacher Education Day.
San Diego, CA

August 22, 2006
The IJSO exhibited at the AJE Resource Fair and participated as a resource in the film discussion of Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish Day School
Denominational Journeys to Inclusion
August 10, 2006
The Multifaith Conference, World Pride, Jerusalem, Israel, sponsored by HUC-JIR, Jerusalem Campus
Panelist: Dr. Joel L. Kushner
World Pride Launch of the Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center (JHVRC) on Sexual Orientation and Gender Issues in the Jewish Community
August 9, 2006
Introducing the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center: A Discussion and Q & A session - HUC-JIR, Jerusalem Campus
August 8, 2006
Contemporary American Jewish Issues: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Jews
August 1, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, guest lecturer - School of Jewish Communal Service
HUC-JIR Los Angeles Campus
The IJSO honors Jane Fantel, School of Jewish Communal Service alumna and Community Leader - San Diego, CA
July 16, 2006
How the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation Benefits You. San Diego, CA
June 19, 2006
Invited presentation by Dr. Joel L. Kushner to Qeshet, the CCAR's gay and lesbian rabbinic organization at the CCAR's annual convention.
Out and Faithful: LGBT People, Religion and Spirituality
May 24, 2006
An interfaith panel discussion series sponsored by the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Los Angeles, CA
History and Philosophy of Reform Judaism: LGBT Issues
April 25, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner and Rabbi Lisa Edwards, guest lecturers
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Why Do We Have An Institute For Judaism and Sexual Orientation?
April 22, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner presents to the combined meeting of the three Boards of Overseers of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion's campuses. Los Angeles, CA
Pastoral Counseling: Issues for LGBT People and their Families
March 9, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, guest lecturer
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish Day School - A Documentary Film Screening and Discussion.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

March 7, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Discussion Facilitator
Sponsored by USC Hillel and the USC GLBT Alliance
Health and Jewish Values - DeLeT Fellows Seminar
February 16, 2006
Dr. Joel L. Kushner discusses LGBT families, school inclusion and Jewish Values.
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Marcia Cohn Spiegel Lecture Series: Stigmatized Behaviors in the Jewish Community: LGBT Issues
February 14, 2006
Dr Joel Kushner and Rabbi Denise Eger: panelists
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Why Marriage Equality is Relevant for All Jews: A Civil Right Struggle in Our Time
January 17, 2006
A Lunch and Learn Seminar with Jane Drucker, Ph.D., Author, Coach, and Consultant
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation: LGBT Perspectives
Biennial Convention - Union for Reform Judaism. Houston, TX

November 17, 2005
Faces of the New Jewish Family
Biennial Convention - Union for Reform Judaism. Houston, TX

November 16, 2005
Faith for Beginners by Aaron Hamburger
A Book Discussion. Los Angeles, CA

October 30, 2005

From 2000 to 2004, activities were organized under the auspices of the Sexual Orientation Issues in Congregations and Community Initiative (SOICC). This Initiative was developed on the Los Angeles campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In 2005, the SOICC format was expanded to become the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation.


Gay and Lesbian Issues in the Workplace
A Lunch and Learn Seminar

Spring, 2004
Panelists: Rabbi Dan Bridge, Rabbi Sharon Gladstone, David Levy, Corey Slavin
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Wrestling with God and Man - Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition
April 20, 2004
Rabbi Steve Greenberg, an Out Orthodox rabbi, discusses his new book.
Introducing the Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center
June 2, 2003
Presentation by Rabbi Sharon Gladstone, Director of the Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center for Sexual Orientation Issues in the Jewish Community
HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus
Creating Safe Space: Queer Jews and Jewish Institutions by Drs. Caryn Aviv and David Schneer
A Lunch and Learn Seminar. HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus

April 8, 2003
Major Gift Announcement - Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
announces the donation of a major gift by Agnes and Rabbi Erwin Herman to create the Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center (JHVRC) for Sexual Orientation Issues in the Jewish Community at HUC-JIR.
April, 2001
Sexual Orientation Issues in Congregations and Community Seminars: Hebrew Union College-JIR. Los Angeles Campus
Creating Institutional Change: Inclusion and Advocacy

Speaker: Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Congregation Valley Beth Shalom
February 27, 2001
(Third in a series of three seminars funded by the Galinson Family Foundation)
Sexual Orientation Issues in Congregations and Community Seminars: Hebrew Union College-JIR. Los Angeles Campus
The Coming Out Process and Lifecycle Needs

Speaker: Rabbi Yoel Kahn, Ph.D.
October 24, 2000
(Second in a series of three seminars funded by the Galinson Family Foundation)
Sexual Orientation Issues in Congregations and Community Seminars: Hebrew Union College-JIR. Los Angeles Campus
Confronting and Acknowledging Stereotypes

Speaker: Avi Rose, Executive Director, Project Inform
September 26, 2000
(First in a series of three seminars funded by the Galinson Family Foundation)