JPride Baltimore

Hi all, Justin here.

I wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for your support of LGBTQ+ Jewish life in Baltimore—and especially for helping make Community Pride Shabbat and this year's Q***r Jewish Arts Festival Stoop Storytelling Show such a success. (Share your photos here and here!)

A special note of gratitude to Susannah Kolstad at Beth Am Synagogue for her leadership, care, and steady coordination in bringing people together last Friday. I've heard from many folks that Shabbat was affirming, grounding, and a beautiful reminder of the power of creating spaces where people feel fully seen and welcomed.

I also want to recognize Timoth Copney, Sara Shalva and everyone who organized the Q***r Jewish Arts Festival's Unapologetic Stoop Storytelling event last Thursday night.

I’m reaching out with (1) a thank-you, (2) an invitation to join a light-touch partner coalition, and (3) a request to share our short membership survey.

Over the past few years, JPride has been in a “keep the lights on” rebuilding phase—still committed to our mission, but working to re-establish our leadership bench and communications rhythm. At the same time, the energy and success of partner-hosted anchor events including the spring LGBTQ+ Seder at Bolton Street Synagogue is a clear sign that something is really working well here in Baltimore!

When we collaborate, people show up.

A next step: JPride as a Coalition Partner Network

Building on this momentum, we’re exploring a model that positions JPride not only as a program producer, but also as a backbone organization for a Coalition Partner Network—a coalition of synagogues, cultural organizations, and community institutions committed to LGBTQ+ equity, belonging, and shared visibility.

This idea grows directly out of the insights we heard through JPride’s Needs Assessment work. Our community doesn’t simply need more events—it needs stronger connective tissue among institutions, clearer signals of welcome and inclusion, and a sustainable way to keep belonging visible throughout the year.

Continued at https://jpridebaltimore.org

Happy Pride Month! A reminder to check out our e-blast for happenings across town https://us4.admin.mailchimp.com/reports/show?id=17448493

Did you see our latest eblast? Lots of good events coming up! Big Gatherings: Tahara 5/27 - Unapologetic 6/25 - Pride Shabbat 6/26 - Book Club 7/12

Go To Our Meetup!
Eblast: https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?u=e35064094904e69c5f681a7b6&id=4653904a97