Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC

Torah & Sexuality: Jewish Texts & the Joy of Sex
Edlavitch DCJCC

Torah-and-Sexuality_JOY OF SEX_600x300.jpg

As part of its mission to recontextualize Judaism for a modern LGBTQ community, GLOE - The Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement at the Edlavitch DCJCC is presenting the Torah & Sexuality series of Jewish learning classes on the 3rd Tuesday of every month through June 2018. Each class will explore a different topic in Judaism that relates to sexual relations, identity, and/or expression — presented in a contemporary queer context by various rabbis and other Jewish educators. Classes are generally structured to provide an introduction of topical source texts with roughly a half-hour of chavruta (small group study) followed by another half-hour of larger group discussion.

It is often assumed that religious authorities are prudish, determined to suppress all sexual enjoyment. However, this isn’t necessarily the case in Judaism. Join the Edlavitch DCJCC's Director of Jewish Engagement Darya Watnick and local Jewish educator Becca Benoff in an exploration of classical Jewish texts containing statements ancient rabbis have made about sex that might surprise you.

Each class is $10; if cost is a barrier to your participation, please email at gloe@edcjcc.org.

This class is also fully inclusive of all, regardless of gender expression, sexual identity, or ability. For accommodation requests, contact gloe@edcjcc.org.

About the instructors:

Darya Watnick - Jewish Engagement Manager at the EDCJCC Darya Watnick
Director of Jewish Engagement, Edlavitch DCJCC
Darya is the Director of Jewish Engagement at the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, focusing on programming for families with young children. She is also a current JOFEE (Jewish Outdoor, Food/Farming and Environmental Education) Fellow with Hazon, a Jewish environmental nonprofit. Prior to working at the EDCJCC, Darya lived in Israel for three years. She was a participant on the Yahel Social Change Program in Gedera, Israel. Then she moved to Jerusalem to study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, focusing on social justice in Jewish texts. Darya enjoys cooking and baking, and especially loves to create unique flavors of homemade ice cream. Other interests include photography, creating community, and traveling.
Becca Benoff Becca Benoff
Jewish Educator, Congregation Etz Hayim

Becca has been teaching at Congregation Etz Hayim for two years. She also works full-time at the Edlavitch DCJCC where she provides support to the Jewish Life and Learning department.  She attended The George Washington University where she studied Psychology and Judaic Studies.

GLOE-logo-sq-smaller.jpg

The Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement (GLOE) at the Edlavitch DCJCC is the first and only full-time LGBTQ outreach program of any Jewish Community Center in North America.  GLOE has been recontextualizing Judaism for a contemporary queer community since its founding by Stuart S. Kurlander over ten years ago.

edcjcc.org/gloe

Date:
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Address:
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

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

 


f