Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC

11th Annual National Rainbow Seder: Reflections on Resistance
Human Rights Campaign

The 11th annual National Rainbow Seder
National Rainbow Seder
Reflections on Resistance
Led by Abby Stein

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Abby Stein

5:00-5:30 pm | VIP/Mensch Reception, sponsored by Bet Mishpachah
5:30-6:00 pm | Wine & Schmooze, sponsored by Bet Mishpachah
6:00-9:00 pm | Seder, with Dinner Program

Location
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20036


This Passover, join GLOE and the inspiring Abby Chava Stein, the first openly transgender woman raised in a Hasidic community (and a direct descendant of Hasidic Judaism's founder, the Baal Shem Tov), for this 11th annual event to celebrate stories of liberation through an LGBTQ lens.

Now in its eleventh year, the National Rainbow Seder is one of the nation’s largest and longest-running Passover seders for the queer Jewish community and its allies, co-presented by GLOE - The Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement at the Edlavitch DCJCC and the HRC’s Religion & Faith Program. Hosted inside the Equality Center ballroom at the HRC headquarters in Washington, DC, this year’s program will feature a full Passover seder complete with a specially-commissioned haggadah (the Jewish text containing the Passover story) retelling the traditional tale of Jewish triumphs of resistance alongside the hard-fought progress made by the LGBTQ equality movement over the past decade since the National Rainbow Seder's inception.  Leading our Seder is NYC-based transgender activist, blogger, and speaker Abby Stein, the first woman—and the first openly trans woman—to be ordained by an Orthodox institution, having received her rabbinical degree in 2011, before coming out as transgender.

We’ll enjoy a special Passover meal as we read our own Haggadah and perform its festive rituals with the Jewish LGBTQ community and our friends – finding inspiration from Jewish history to continue our own acts of resistance to adversity that empower and liberate our communities today.

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Get your tickets now for this celebration of freedom!

GLOE logo

HRC Human Rights CampaignIsraeli Embassy

Israeli House

Bet Mishpachah

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presented by GLOE.
In partnership with
The Human Rights Campaign's Religion & Faith Program.
This event is supported by LGBTQ synagogue Bet MishpachahIsraeli House Washington הבית הישראלי בוושינגטון, and The Embassy of Israel in the United States.

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HOST COMMITTEE 

Liz Savopoulos • Tony Cohn • Jennifer Heiser 
Evan Caplan (co-chair) • Shane Cusumano (co-chair)
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TICKETS 

$54 - Mensch ticket* (includes preferred seating, early meal service, entry to the private reception, and special recognition in the program) Help bring more people to the table!
$36 - General admission ticket
$30 - Pre-sale general admission ticket (until March 3)

*Mensch Tickets help us subsidize the cost of the regular tickets, making the seder more accessible to all. Thanks for helping to bring more of our community to the table!

*Ticket Assistance: Please get in touch if the cost of a ticket is prohibitive. We want you there

Contact GLOE at gloe@edcjcc.org or 202-777-3253.
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Frequently Asked Questions

To attend, do I have to be LGBTQ? Do I have to be Jewish? (Observant? Old? Young? Ashkenazi? Sephardic? etc.)
Nope. We welcome everyone who would like to join our LGBTQ seder and celebrate Passover's lessons of freedom! In fact, every year, we have a beautiful mix of people. Some are LGBTQ and Jewish, some are not. All are welcome, and (if they choose) can easily participate in a variety of ways - singing, reading, discussing ideas, or just generally being among the community.

What if I don't read Hebrew?
Not a problem. Most of the seder is in English, and anything in Hebrew also appears in English transliteration.

What about dinner? Is it kosher?
There is a delicious catered dinner at the National Rainbow Seder. As with all EDCJCC events, the food we serve is kosher, as well as this meal. It is a milchig/dairy meal. Questions? gloe@edcjcc.org or 202-777-3253

Accessibility?
We're happy to provide ASL or other interpretation upon advance notice. The Human Rights Campaign building is wheelchair/mobility device accessible. If you need other accomodations to allow you to fully participate in the seder (or simply have questions), please let us know in advance and we'll be happy to help: gloe@edcjcc.org or 202-777-3253.

Is there a dress code? What should I wear?
There is no official dress code. Most people dress as they would for a family seder or holiday - dressed nicely, a little dressed up, but not overly formally. (For many people that could mean a button-down or sweater, a skirt/dress, a jacket, slacks, etc. Most people do not wear jeans.) Please wear what feels appropriate to you to celebrate the holiday.

Is it appropriate to bring kids?
Yes! The seder is not specifically a "kids" seder, but our atmosphere is fun and festive! Please note that, as a group, we will be reading our Haggadah and discussing its ideas, which includes the mention of serious and challenging topics. We trust you to use your judgment: you know your kids best. Get in touch with us with any questions.
We welcome all who would like to participate.

What about transportation?
The HRC is located at 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. (MAP)
Public Transportation: The HRC is in Dupont Cirlce, and only a few blocks from two red line Metro Stations: Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North.
Driving: There are many paid parking lots in the area.There is NO parking lot at the HRC. Street parking is often available within a few blocks, but it's a busy neighborhood, so leave yourself time for whichever option you choose.

Other questions?
For more information, please contact GLOE Director, Josef Palermo at 202-777-3253 or josefp@edcjcc.org.

5:00-5:30 pm | Wine & Schmooze

Date:
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Address:
HRC's Equality Center ballroom
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

We're sorry, the deadline for online sales has passed. Contact program staff listed above to purchase by phone.

 


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