Ruth Eisenberg Has Been a Member of Bet Mishpachah Since 1981, As

Ruth Eisenberg has been a member of Bet Mishpachah since 1981, as she joined shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C to work for the Security and Exchange Commission. Since that time, she has dedicated her entire legal career to the public sector. As an attorney myself, Ruth has been an inspiration, and it is my honor to give this award on behalf of the congregation. After leaving the SEC, Ruth litigated disability rights cases at the National Veterans Legal Services Program and served as Director of Legal Services at the Whitman-Walker Clinic, representing hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDs to fight discrimination during the height of the epidemic Ruth, a partner of the DC firm Harmon, Curran, Speilberg & Eisenberg, is known as one of Washington’s leading lawyers representing nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in employment and general corporate matters. Her book is extensive and the nonprofit community is lucky to have her. Her mom as well, who happens to be a neighbor of my grandmother’s in Chevy Chase, whom she visits often with kosher deli from Moti’s. But our Ruth, our Ruth! has also been an activist for lesbian and feminist causes since her college days in St. Louis, Missouri. Did you know, that in the early 1980s, Ruth was part of a group of subversive D.C. lesbians who took direct actions, such as painting “In Search of Reagan’s Brain” on the sidewalk in front of the conservative Heritage Foundation? She has participated in many protests in Washington, D.C. over the years, and in the last four too many to count. With her wife Leti at her side, they are a force to be reckoned with! As you may know, Ruth has devoted her extra time to serving on various non-profit organization boards that have included: the Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League; the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and Whitman-Walker Health. She also served as member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee to the District of Columbia Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Affairs (GLBT). Currently, Ruth serves on the Board of Directors of SAGE, a national organization which works to improve aging for LGBT people. Don’t be surprised if she asks you for a donation – and I encourage you to make one to SAGE, or to Bet Mish in honor of this award. Ruth Eisenberg has devoted both her entire professional and personal activist energy to justice, truth, righteousness and lovingkindness. Always with a generosity of heart and that great hearty laugh. .

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Mishpachah Matters
Mishpachah Matters Issue 76.1 and 76.2 Mishpachah Matters Elul 5775 The Newsletter of Bet Mishpachah, Founded in 1975 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776 by Members of the Washington, DC, Gay Community September and October 2015 It’s a New Year, a New Page, Rabbi Green’s Fall Class a New Way Forward! Crowdsourcing: Communal Ethics in Judaism and in Real Life By Liora Moriel, VP Religious Affairs Police Brutality! Political Gridlock! Workplace Politics! Rosh ha-Shana, the Jewish New Year, does not match up with the Gregorian calendar that we use in our secular What do all these things have in common? They demonstrate lives. It can seem that it is early, when it is near Labor the dysfunction of communities. What does Jewish tradition say Day, or late, when it seems to introduce Halloween. But as about communal ethics? We’ll look at controversy and decision the late, great Barrett Brick told us time and again, it is making, balancing peace and security, crime and punishment, really neither early nor late: it is always on time on the public accountability and how to oust bad leaders. How should Hebrew Calendar. When Elul ends, Tishrei begins, our neighborhoods, schools, synagogues, and workplaces run? moving us from the last month of the year just ending to the first month of the year we now begin. Rabbi Laurie Green will be teaching this fall class on Thursdays October 29, November 5, 12 and 19 at the DC JCC from 7:00- Rosh ha-Shana, unlike many other holy days, does not 8:45 pm.
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LGBTQ Organizations Unite in Calling for Transformational Change in Policing
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Religion and Lgbtq People in Us History
Published online 2016 www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqthemestudy.htm LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History is a publication of the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. We are very grateful for the generous support of the Gill Foundation, which has made this publication possible. The views and conclusions contained in the essays are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. © 2016 National Park Foundation Washington, DC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without permission from the publishers. Links (URLs) to websites referenced in this document were accurate at the time of publication. THEMES The chapters in this section take themes as their starting points. They explore different aspects of LGBTQ history and heritage, tying them to specific places across the country. They include examinations of LGBTQ community, civil rights, the law, health, art and artists, commerce, the military, sports and leisure, and sex, love, and relationships. STRUGGLES21 IN BODY AND SPIRIT: RELIGION AND LGBTQ PEOPLE IN US HISTORY Drew Bourn Introduction The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the United States.1 But segregation goes beyond a separation between black churches and white churches. There is a tremendous variety of religious communities in the US - Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Pagans, and others.
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Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page Mishpachah Matters
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Finding Aid for Manuscript and Photograph Collections
Legacy Finding Aid for Manuscript and Photograph Collections 801 K Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001 What are Finding Aids? Finding aids are narrative guides to archival collections created by the repository to describe the contents of the material. They often provide much more detailed information than can be found in individual catalog records. Contents of finding aids often include short biographies or histories, processing notes, information about the size, scope, and material types included in the collection, guidance on how to navigate the collection, and an index to box and folder contents. What are Legacy Finding Aids? The following document is a legacy finding aid – a guide which has not been updated recently. Information may be outdated, such as the Historical Society’s contact information or exact box numbers for contents’ location within the collection. Legacy finding aids are a product of their times; language and terms may not reflect the Historical Society’s commitment to culturally sensitive and anti-racist language. This guide is provided in “as is” condition for immediate use by the public. This file will be replaced with an updated version when available. To learn more, please Visit DCHistory.org Email the Kiplinger Research Library at [email protected] (preferred) Call the Kiplinger Research Library at 202-516-1363 ext. 302 The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., is a community-supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1894, it serves a diverse audience through its collections, public programs, exhibits, and publications. 801 K Street NW Washington, D.C.
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In the Making
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Coming Home to Judaism
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Crasnow, Sonia
UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title From the Gay Synagogue to the Queer Shtetl: Normativity, Innovation, and Utopian Imagining in the Lived Religion of Queer and Transgender Jews Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6g6216n6 Author Crasnow, Sonia Publication Date 2017 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE From the Gay Synagogue to the Queer Shtetl: Normativity, Innovation, and Utopian Imagining in the Lived Religion of Queer and Transgender Jews A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies by Sonia Jennifer Crasnow June 2017 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Michael Alexander, Co-Chairperson Dr. Jane Ward, Co-Chairperson Dr. Amanda Lucia Dr. Melissa Wilcox The Dissertation of Sonia Jennifer Crasnow is approved: Committee Co-Chairperson Committee Co-Chairperson University of California, Riverside Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the support of my committee members, without whom this dissertation would not have been possible. I am thankful to Professors Alexander, Ward, Lucia, and Wilcox for their guidance and support. I am also grateful for the financial support that helped to fund this dissertation from the University of California, Riverside, including funds from the Center for Ideas & Society and the Department of Religious Studies. I am also appreciative of my colleagues who helped me to clarify the ideas in this dissertation, including my cohort in the 2014 Harvard Divinity School Summer Seminar on Religion and Sexuality; my cohort in the 2015 Mellon Advancing Intercultural Studies Seminar; my fellow graduate student colleagues in the department of Religious Studies; and the mentors I gained through the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Mentoring Program for LGBTIQ Religious Studies Scholars as well as the “Cup of Coffee” mentorship program.
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LGBTQ Organizations Unite in Calling for Transformational Change in Policing
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Mishpachah Matters
Mishpachah Matters Issue 76.9 and 76.10 Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tamuz 5776 The Newsletter of Bet Mishpachah, Founded in 1975 by Members of the Washington, DC, Gay Community May and June 2016 www.betmish.org It’s Bet Mishpachah’s Bet Mishpachah Celebrates 40th Anniversary Brunch at the Pride Week and Shavu-ot in June Donovan Hotel, Sunday, May 22 Pride Week 2016 is coming on June 5 through 12. This year’s Pride Week will be especially celebratory for Bet On Sunday, May 22, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, join Bet Mishpachah because it coincides with the Festival of Shavu- Mishpachah as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary year with a ot, making the Week the perfect opportunity to celebrate our festive and fabulous brunch at the beautiful Donovan Hotel. religious and cultural heritage with the LGBT and Jewish We will celebrate our past and toast our future with fantastic communities. We’ll be participating as a congregation in food and drink, a song or two from our wonderful choir, and events throughout the Week, including the following: some reminiscing with old and new friends. Tickets are $40 and include unlimited Champagne (technically, it’s sparkling On the evening of Tuesday, June 7, at 7:30, Bet wine, but it is definitely unlimited), making this a true “40 for Mishpachah will participate in the Pride Week Interfaith 40” celebration. Space is limited, so get your tickets right Service at the Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ away so you don’t miss out. The Donovan Hotel is located (3845 South Capitol St SW).
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ONE Subject Files Collection Coll2012.001
http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7779s1q0 No online items Finding aid to the ONE Subject Files Collection Coll2012.001 Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Michael C. Oliveira ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California 909 West Adams Boulevard Los Angeles, California, 90007 (213) 821-2771 [email protected] © 2012 Finding aid to the ONE Subject Coll2012.001 1 Files Collection Coll2012.001 Title: ONE Subject Files Collection Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012.001 Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California Language of Material: English Physical Description: 345.0 linear feet.341 records boxes & 3 flat boxes Date (bulk): Bulk, 1970-1990 Date (inclusive): 1900-2012 General Physical Description note: 341 records boxes & 3 flat archives boxes Abstract: The ONE Archives’ Subject Files consist of more than 8,100 unique files of businesses, organizations, people, and topics primarily documenting twentieth century global lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally (LGBTQIA) history and culture. The bulk of the documents are newspaper and magazine clippings along with promotional materials such as advertising fliers, brochures, and mailers for businesses, organizations, and events. To a lesser extent, the files also contain records from organizations, resource lists, questionnaires, and surveys. Scope and contents The bulk of the documents are newspaper and magazine clippings along with promotional materials such as advertising fliers, brochures, and mailers for businesses, events, and organizations. To a lesser extent, the files also contain records from organizations, resource lists, questionnaires, and surveys. The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives’ Subject Files are the remaining 8,100 unique files of businesses, organizations, people, and topics with an additional 38,000 cross references primarily documenting twentieth century global LGBTQIA history and culture.
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American University Bet Mishpachah Oral History
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY BET MISHPACHAH ORAL HISTORY PROJECT Oral History Interview with Larry Neff By Ziona Pelz-Sherman Washington, D.C. October 25, 2019 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: BET MISHPACHAH ORAL HISTORY PROJECT NARRATOR: Larry Neff DATE: October 25, 2019 INTERVIEWER: Ziona Pelz-Sherman PLACE: Home of Larry Neff, Washington, D.C. NARRATOR’S PERSONAL DATA Spouse: None Occupation: Retired SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW Larry Neff, active member of local LGBTQ synagogue, Bet Mishpachah, describes the founding and growth of the synagogue, and what it means to be part of a congregation that not only accepts, but welcomes and celebrates positive expressions of sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition to touching on the intersection of Judaism and sexuality, Neff speaks on his current role as director of religious affairs at Bet Mishpachah, as well as his involvement in the community. INTERVIEWER'S COMMENTS There is a background journal entry for this interview. COPYRIGHT STATUS Interview contents have been given to the Public Domain through the Humanities Truck Oral History Project at American University. INDEX TERMS Washington DC, Larry Neff, Bet Mishpachah, Judaism, synagogue, LGBTQ identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, Washington Jewish Community Center Bet Mishpachah Oral History Project Transcription of Interview with Larry Neff on October 25, 2019 at Larry Neff’s home in Washington, DC. 1 ZP: Ziona Pelz-Sherman LN: Larry Neff ZP: All right, so, some introductory stuff, today is October 25, 2019. We’re here in Larry Neff’s residence in Washington, DC [District of Columbia]. I, Ziona Pelz-Sherman, will be interviewing Larry Neff. Do I have your permission to record this interview? LN: Yes you do.
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