LGBTQ Passover Seder
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LGBTQ Passover Seder
Jewish Federation of Las Vegas – JFNA General Assembly 2014
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Identifying the Need
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The Jewish Federation, responding to
community input, expressed a need for building
bridges and inclusive programming for the
LGBTQ Community
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Jewish Federation convened several exploratory
meetings with Leadership, Rabbis, Jewish
members of the LGBTQ community and
representatives of the Gay & Lesbian Center of
Southern Nevada.
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Dialogue led to better understanding and
appreciation of communities and needs.
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Decision made to create collaborative program
to “connect” Jewish and LGBTQ communities.
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Agreement to co-sponsor first-ever LGBTQ
Community Seder.
Community Collaborations
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The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas
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The Gay and Center of Southern Nevada
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The Center and The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas are proud sponsors of the
first ever LGBTQ Passover Seder in Las Vegas.
Host
Corporate Sponsors
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Convener
Southern Wine & Spirits
Kraft-Sussman Funeral Home
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, a community-based
organization, supports and promotes activities directed at furthering the well-being,
positive image, and human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer
community, its allies, and low to moderate income residents in Southern Nevada.
Community Partners
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Jewish Family Service Agency
Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada
Congregation P’nai Tikvah
Hillel UNLV
Spectrum
The Jewish Federation is Las Vegas’ Center for Jewish Philanthropy and Community
Development dedicated to strengthening, sustaining and enhancing Jewish life in Las
Vegas, Israel and around the world through our donors, volunteers and professional
leadership’s commitment to the values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world); Tzedakah
(righteousness and philanthropy); and G’milut Hasadim (acts of kindness and service).
Utilizing Existing Resources
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JQ International Haggadah
 Focus on freedom and
inclusiveness
 Common experiences to
be celebrated
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The Bronze Café @ The
Center
LGBTQ Seder Plate
 Traditional Jewish symbols
 Contemporary symbols for
LGBTQ community
Volunteer Committee
 Planning Committee comprised of volunteers and
staff from various backgrounds and organizations;
and with a passion for inclusive programming and
improving Jewish-LGBTQ community relations.
 Responsibilities of the committee included:
 Recruitment
 Planning and program implementation
 Marketing and Public Relations
 Budget
 Sponsorships
 Logistics
The Seder
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Seder them focused on the
meaning and traditions of
Passover
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Family Friendly
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Children friendly activities and
menu
120 people in attendance
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Freedom and Liberation for ALL
people
All ages and backgrounds
Bronze Café Catering
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Vegan and Vegetarian
Follow Up
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Committee collected feedback from
participants
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Committee convened immediately
after Seder to evaluate and set date
for following year
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Follow up Marketing and PR in both
the LGBTQ and Jewish communities
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Building relationship to LGBTQ and
Jewish Communities
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Connecting new Jewish members to
Jewish Federation
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Invitations to community events
Special Thanks To
 The Gay & Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada
 Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, Congregation Pnai Tivkah
 Jon Sparer, Adam Reisman, Wendy Kraft
 Marni Unger, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas
For more information
Marni Unger, Director
Leadership and Community Development
Jewish Federation of Las Vegas
(702) 732-0556
Marni@jewishlasvegas.com