When JUF Young Leadership Division (YLD) board members recognized an unmet need in the community, they set to work, ensuring that all Jewish young professionals feel welcome and engaged through JUF. Over the past year, YLD initiated events and programs targeted specifically to the Jewish LGBTQ community.

“We’re trying to do a better job bringing everybody into the greater JUF community,” said Michael Oxman, YLD Board and Outreach Committee member and leader of the LGBTQ Committee. “The ‘typical’ gay Jewish person had the perception that there wasn’t a place for them. While some events are more targeted for the LGBTQ community, everyone needs to feel welcome (at any event), to let them know that JUF is the place for them.”

YLD hosted its first LGBTQ Happy Hour at Sidetrack last spring, with nearly 90 people attending. This year’s event, held at Sidetrack on March 9, drew 100 people.

“We’ve definitely proven that there is an interest,” said Alex Entratter, LGBTQ Committee member. “JUF has been very supportive in continuing to expand our committee and organize more events.” He said he appreciates YLD’s flexibility and experimentation with different types of events and programs. “We’ve been able to build our own framework in terms of how we want to reach out to the LGBTQ community.”

An LGBTQ LEADS group was established in the fall. Through YLD, the LEADS program provides hundreds of young professionals each year with an introductory exploration of the Jewish community and contemporary issues over eight weeks, in a relaxed social setting. Eighteen people participated in the LGBTQ group, using a specifically adapted LEADS curriculum. “It brought up a lot of great conversations about how we see ourselves fitting into the JUF community,” Entratter said.

“These events are not limited to the LGBTQ community,” said Orly Henry, a second year YLD Board and Outreach Committee member.

Emily Berman, a first-year YLD Board and Outreach Committee member, said, “When I moved to Chicago, I was looking for ways to get involved with the Jewish young professional community. I quickly realized that JUF is the place for young Jewish professionals to connect.

“JUF really is the essential hub of Jewish life in Chicago,” she said. “I appreciate as a young person that JUF truly values the next generation. JUF puts you to work beyond your pocketbook…through volunteering, LEADS, and social and educational programming. I respect the organization for reaching out to everyone.”

“What resonated with me is that there are so many things that JUF, through its agencies, supports across the globe,” Oxman said. “My thought was to engage gay Jews, and JUF is the best place (to do this) because it’s not a one-dimensional organization. It’s a place where you can get involved in anything-and you know your support is helping hundreds of thousands of people.

“There are lots of things behind the scenes that maybe a lot of people don’t know about,” Oxman said, noting that several of JUF’s Breakthrough Fund allocations went to specific LGBTQ projects. Also, JUF funds Response, a teen outreach program through Jewish Child and Family Services. Response’s Parent-Family Connection is a support and education group for parents and family members of Jewish LGBTQ individuals.

Berman said she is impressed with JUF’s outreach to the LGBTQ community. “I don’t think as many Jewish organizations are jumping on board as quickly as I’d like to see,” she said. “I’m really happy JUF is making it a priority. I respect that a lot-and I think it’s smart.”

For information on YLD and LGBTQ programs, call YLD at (312) 357-4880 or email [email protected].