JFSA Pride

Please do not use this page. It is no longer active or monitored. The program is now being managed by the Jewish Community Center of Tucson.

SCOTTSDALE CALLING

Do you know people in Scottsdale? Call them to support anti-discrimination ordinance. After choosing not to pursue an ordinance to protect LGBT rights, several council members changed their mind after receiving emotional comments full of hate and vitriol against the LGBT community. That caused those members to re-examine their belief that there was no discrimination problem in Scottsdale.

Kathy LIttlefield and David Smith are the two council members who now want to explore an anti-discrimination law. If you have family or friends there, have them call or send messages. If you visit or vacation in Scottsdale you could also send a message. You yourself could be refused service in Scottsdale because of some one else's religious beliefs. Let Scottsdale join Phoenix, Tempe, Flagstaff and Tucson in combating discrimination.

TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IRAN AGREEMENT:

Professor Asher Susser will present a lunch and learn, “Iran, the Arabs and Israel,” on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at noon at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. Susser is a professor of modern Israel studies in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. For more information, contact Jane Scott at 577-9393 or [email protected].

The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Arizona, together with the College of Science and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, will present a free panel lecture, “The Iranian Nuclear Agreement: Containment or Catastrophe?” on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 7-8 p.m. in Crowder Hall. For more information, call 626-5758.

Volunteer Opportunities with GLSEN: Thursday, Sept 3, 7 PM, Ward 6 offices, 3202 E. 1st Street, Tucson.

In today's Arizona Daily Star: White House hires it's first openly transgender staff member in the Office of Personnel: Raffi Freedman-Gurspan. She previously was a policy adviser for the National Center for Transgender Equality's racial and economic justice initiative. Another step forward!

From the Chair of JFSA Pride: Thomas Sayler-Brown:

As Board Chair of JFSA Pride, I am proud of the support we receive from our Jewish Federation and invite you to help us build a world of acceptance and understanding. As evidenced by the written and physical attacks at Jerusalem Pride last week much of the world Jewish community is not ready to fully embrace the LGBT community. While there remains significant work for us to do, there have been encouraging responses from both Israel and the Diaspora. Much can be accomplished if we take this opportunity to work more closely together.

Here is the official Jewish Federations of North America statement on the stabbings at the Jerusalem Pride Parade:

STATEMENT: Jewish Federations Condemn Stabbing at Jerusalem Pride Parade. We are proud that Israel’s democratic state has fostered a culture where people can be free to organize and march in a pride parade. Today’s heinous attack runs counter to the values on which Israel was founded. It is because of Israeli democracy that its citizens are able to hold this annual parade in the ancient streets of Jerusalem, allowing thousands of people to openly and proudly be themselves. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we pray for a swift and full recovery for all those involved.