For the first time in its eight-year history, two Jewish congregations are partnering to create Pinellas County’s Pride Shabbat, June 23-24, with worship services, a cocktail reception, lunch, and participation in the downtown St. Pete Pride Parade.
All programs are free, open to the public, and celebrate LGBTQ+ Jews, allies, friends, and families.
On Friday at 6pm, rabbis and musicians from both Temple Beth-El and Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg will lead sabbath prayer services at Cong. B'nai Israel, 300 58th St North, 33710. There is free off-street parking in the synagogue lot.
The special guest speaker has a national profile in the U.S. and Israel. He is Rabbi Steve Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi and founder of the Jerusalem Open House, the Holy City's LGBTQ community center.
Rabbi Greenberg wrote the award-winning Wrestling with God and Men: Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition. His sermon will explore the Biblical prohibition against homosexuality. Tombolo Books will host a book signing with Rabbi Greenberg in the lobby Friday at 5:30pm.
Jessica Pierce of Temple Beth-El will talk about her personal journey into queerness and how Judaism and queerness complement each other.
The congregations invite all worshippers to a festive cocktail reception following the service. Rabbi Greenberg speaks again at Cong. B’nai Israel at the Saturday morning service starting at 10am. Lunch follows.
On Saturday afternoon, June 24, Temple Beth-El is organizing the Jewish community’s participation in the St. Pete Pride Parade. It's free to march but registration is required. www.TempleBeth-El.com/PRIDE