2nd forum event

The Jewish community forum on LGBTQ inclusion, which started in March 2016, reached a new stage in May. A whole-day seminar was organized in Mozaik Hub as its second meeting. The main goal of the forum series is to initiate change within the Jewish community by involving Jewish community leaders and activists in order to accept and welcome LGBTQ people to the community. Therefore, the May seminar focused on providing a better understanding of the current situation. Moreover, it also introduced best practices and international examples.

In the first half of the program, Tamás Dombos CEO of Háttér Society, talked about the LGBTQ situation in Hungary, the social attitudes, and the legal environment. He was followed by a panel discussion with the representatives of Bálint Jewish Community Center, Marom, Bet Orim, and Sim Shalom, where the participants discussed the conscious display of LGBTQ topics, questions, and issues within the community. The participants shared their views on the inclusion of LGBTQ people from their organization’s or community’s point of you. The challenges that appear on community as well as social level were also mentioned. In the afternoon, the participants studied a text together to discuss the acceptance of LGBTQ through Jewish tradition and Jewish values. Afterwards, an international overview followed with the introduction of best practices by European, Israeli, and North American organizations and initiatives. The presentation and the related discussion that followed were attended online by Daniel Bahner, the National Manager of Education and Training at Keshet from Boston.

At the end of the seminar, the participants could reflect on what was said. Moreover, they also shared ideas what their own organizations and institutions could do in the field of LGBTQ integration. It was also brought up that in addition to the LGBTQ integration, there are several other issues in the Jewish community where steps should be taken towards a more integrative, more tolerant environment. The participants also expressed their intention to continue the forum, to participate in further events, and to participate in joint actions and declarations.