This is an email from Nehirim. It covers it all very well so rather than rewrite all the info, here’s a good solid update on what’s happening:
Shalom Nehirim -
As I’m sure all of you know by now, our community was again the victim of a violent attack, again in Israel, and again in the context of incendiary rhetoric and expressions of intolerance, particularly from religious leaders.
So, how are you responding? How are you feeling? What are you thinking?
Personally, I hope that you are finding time and space in your heart to commemorate this tragedy in your home communities — perhaps by reciting Tehilim, perhaps by attending a vigil or memorial service, or perhaps simply by connecting with your friends and family.
Now is also a crucial time to reconnect with your Nehirim community. I want to encourage you to reach out, either to Nehirim staff or faculty, or to friends or acquaintances you made at a Nehirim retreat. There’s no need to be dramatic; just check in — just say hello. When we are targeted by hate, the best response is more love, which is the source of strength and of healing.
In addition, Nehirim is cosponsoring a New York community-wide vigil taking place tomorrow (Wednesday) night.nbsp; Here is the information for that vigil:
Community-Wide Prayer Vigil for the Victims of the Attack on Tel Aviv Gay Youth
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, 57 Bethune Street, New York, NY
Last Saturday night, an unknown assailant opened fire on a meeting of a gay and lesbian youth group in Tel Aviv, killing three people and injuring fifteen. This Wednesday, New York responds. Please join us for a community-wide memorial service as we stand in solidarity with the victims of this vicious attack and demand equality for LGBT people everywhere. Speakers include Congressman Jerrold Nadler, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Nehirim director Jay Michaelson, and others. The service will also include the traditional reading of tehillim (psalms) and a candlelight vigil. Sponsors (still in formation) include Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, the New Israel Fund, Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture & Spirituality, JQYouth, the JCC in Manhattan, and Keshet.
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Other vigils have taken place around the country, with Nehirim’s involvement.;
Tomorrow night, in Boston, please join the Greater Boston Jewish Community tomorrow - Wednesday, August 5th - as we mourn for the victims, pray for the injured, and express our outrage.
We will gather at Temple Israel of Boston, 77 Longwood Avenue (on the steps of the Riverway)
Wednesday, August 5, 6:30 pm, rain or or shine
For updates: www.keshetonline.org.
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Last night, vigils took place in Washington, D.C., co-coordinated by Nehirim’s Engagement Officer, Zvi Bellin, and in San Francisco, by our partners at the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco. Here are media reports:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249275684243&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1105154.html
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/08/04/1007018/dc-san-francisco-hold-vigils-to-mourn-israelis-lgbt-kilings
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=26596
More events are also scheduled for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Please join us at CBST or in Boston tomorrow night — we look forward to having a strong Nehirim contingent at each event.
In the meantime, our lives go on. At Nehirim, Queer Shabbaton registration is now open, and you can take advantage of early bird registration by clicking here. In addition, we’ve got a nice minyan of people for our informal East Coast camping trip, taking place August 14-16. Details are below, and the signup is on Facebook. Please RSVP right away if you’d like to come, as we’ll be buying food soon. Finally, Nehirim is cosponsoring Easton Mountain’s “Gay Spirit Camp” program August 17-23, and those under 30 can attend for only $100 for the entire week; see below for details. (Please also note that the remainder of this email was composed prior to Saturday night’s events.)
I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night at CBST, and, of course, all our prayers are with the injured — may they have a speedy recovery.
Jay Michaelson
Executive Director