History of the Lay Leaders of the LGBT Alliance

April 1

LGBT
Alliance 2009
This is an abridged lay leader history of the records of the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Alliance of the
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, History from
Marin and Sonoma Counties. As a reader if you understand any
portion of this record as not consistent with actual occurrences,
1996 to 2009
please let us know by emailing lgbt@sfjcf.org. Thank you!

Table of Contents
2009 LGBT ALLIANCE PLANNING AND ADVISORY GROUP .................................................................. 3
2009 SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUEST ............................................................................................. 4
2008 LGBT ALLIANCE PLANNING AND ADVISORY GROUP .................................................................. 7
LGBT ALLIANCE PLANNING AND ADVISORY GROUP GENERAL FAQ’S .......................................... 8
2008 – 2009: ALLOCATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 12
2007 LGBT ALLIANCE BOARD ...................................................................................................................... 13
2007 LGBT ALLIANCE CAMPAIGN .............................................................................................................. 13
2007 LGBT ALLIANCE PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH STRATEGY ..................................................... 13
2007 TRANSITION FROM A CAMPAIGN AFFINITY GROUP.................................................................. 14
2007 – 2008: ALLOCATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 17
2006 LGBT ALLIANCE PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH STRATEGY ..................................................... 18
2006 – 2007: ALLOCATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 19
2005 LGBT ALLIANCE PROGRAMS, STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP ................................................. 21
LGBT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, A COMMITTEE
INSTITUTED IN 2004 ........................................................................................................................................ 23
2003 GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE BOARD ............................................................................................ 25
2003 LGBT ALLIANCE OUTREACH PROGRAMS ..................................................................................... 25
2002 GAY LESBIAN ALLIANCE BOARD ...................................................................................................... 27
2002 LGBT ALLIANCE OUTREACH PROGRAMS ..................................................................................... 27
SUMMARY: 2002-05 STRATEGY .................................................................................................................... 28
2001 GAY LESBIAN ALLIANCE TASK FORCE .......................................................................................... 31
2000 UPDATED PLATFORM ........................................................................................................................... 33
1997 - 1999 GAY LESBIAN ALLIANCE TASK FORCE LEADERSHIP..................................................... 34
1997 TASK FORCE PROPOSAL ...................................................................................................................... 35
1996 CREATING A TASK FORCE .................................................................................................................. 39

Page 2 of 39

2009 LGBT Alliance Planning and Advisory Group

Rabbi Ruth Adar Julie Haddon
Ruth Atkin Frederick Hertz
Chair: Al Baum Rabbi Micah Hyman
JCF of San Francisco, the Leslie Katz
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Susan Krauss
Counties Staff: Karen Bluestone Kathy Levinson
JCF of Greater East Bay Staff: Susan Lowenberg
Rabbi James Brandt Ben Lunine
Ziv Beyth Stan Osofsky
Susan Bluer Mark Reisbaum
Stephanie Brill Jerry Rosenstein
Ali Cannon Eileen Ruby
Paul Cohen Arthur Slepian
JCF of San Francisco, the Marc Smolowitz
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma
JCF of Greater East Bay Staff:
Counties Staff: Lisa Finkelstein
Sam Strauss
JCF of San Francisco, the
Howard Steiermann
Counties Staff: Julie Golde Martin Tannenbaum
JCF of San Francisco, the Susan Tubbesing
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Rabbi Eric Weiss
Counties Staff: Rabbi Marvin Connie Wolf
Goodman Dennis Ybarra
Betsy Fels Potruck Ron Wolberg
Martin Fox

Page 3 of 39

2009 Summary of Commission Request
Program Purpose: The LGBT Alliance has charged itself with the crucial task to
connect Bay Area LGBT Jews with Jewish life.

Program Geographic Region: Greater San Francisco Bay Area including San Francisco,
the Peninsula, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Program Population Participants & Targets: The estimated 36,000 self-identified
LGBT Jews of the greater Bay Area. This estimate is based on the 2004 Jewish
Community Study, which found that 13,000 LGBT Jews reside in the San Francisco
based Jewish Community Federation Service Area (FSA) alone. Demographic estimates
provided by the staff of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay
(JFED) and the LGBT Alliance’s Planning and Advisory Group (PAG) suggest that
36,000 LGBT Bay Area Jews is a reasonable estimate for planning purposes. To put this
figure in the context of other groups funded by this commission, the Russian-speaking
Bay Area Jewish community (according to the 2004 Jewish Community Study) consists
of almost 13,000 Jews and 3,000 non-Jews.

Program 2008 Accomplishments: Together with community leaders and partners from
across the Bay Area, the LGBT Alliance supports a broad spectrum of initiatives directly
related to Jewish life. Highlights include:
Convened programs, committees and advocacy activities designed to unify the Bay
Area LGBT Jewish community.
Commissioned, designed, and conducted the LGBT Bay Area Jewish Needs
Assessment Study
Created the LGBT Alliance’s Planning and Advisory Group (PAG) and the LGBT
Outreach Committee with the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay
(JFED).

Program responding to unmet needs: The LGBT Alliance believes that LGBT Jews are
as diverse as the sexual orientations and gender identities of its members. In order to
inform our future efforts, we are conducting an LGBT Bay Area Jewish Needs
Assessment Study geared to help Jewish community leaders better understand LGBT
Jews’ needs. The findings, to be used in the LGBT Alliance strategic planning process,
are expected in the spring of 2009. To help guide ongoing programmatic and engagement
strategies the LGBT Alliance Director relies on the 2004 Jewish Community Study, the
LGBT PAG, and the LGBT Outreach Committee. To meet the range of needs
geographically, the LGBT Alliance partners with the Jewish Community Federation of
the Greater East Bay (JFED), so that the LGBT outreach functions of the two Federations
have common leadership strategies and share lay- and professionally-led committees.

Program implementation: In the past year, the LGBT Alliance sponsored, promoted,
hosted and organized multiple events and programs connecting LGBT Jews to Jewish
life. After one event, an attendee wrote, “It was especially meaningful that it was not just
the Jewish LGBT community that showed up, but many Jewish communal professionals
and straight allies. As we were driving home, we talked about how amazing it is to have

the Jewish Federation, and other Jewish organizations, so publicly supportive of LGBT
issues… we found ourselves excited about getting involved and attending future events.
Thank you for reaching out and planning such wonderful events like this.” Here are two
examples:

Milk and More…: In light of the disappointing passage of California State
Proposition 8, the LGBT Alliance hosted a private screening of the film Milk
followed by a reception. This event sold out within 12 hours of its announcement. Co-
sponsored by The SF JCF Business Leadership Council, SF JCF Young Adults
Division, Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, and the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, it
featured a panel of LGBT Jewish speakers who addressed the times of Harvey Milk
and how his message still resonates today. 300 people attended.
Latkes, Vodkas and More…!: This annual event was co-presented with
Congregation Sha'ar Zahav and provided a strong Jewish program honoring local
LGBT Jewish leaders. It was co-sponsored by over 20 local groups, provided free
childcare and featured LGBT Jewish entertainers. 350 to 400 people attended (an
increase from 75 to 100 guests in the prior year).

Program strategies: According to the 2004 Jewish Community Study, the unique needs
of Bay Area LGBT Jews are not being met by existing programs and institutions. For
example, over half of the Bay Area LGBT Jewish households reside on the Peninsula yet
most programs targeting the LGBT Jewish community take place in the city. With the
publication of the LGBT Bay Area Jewish Needs Assessment Study in the spring of
2009, the LGBT Alliance will increasingly work to match its engagement strategy with
the needs discovered. Here are a few examples of how we have already adapted program
strategy:

In the summer of 2008, the LGBT Alliance organized one of the largest Jewish
Marriage Equality events on the Peninsula with Kol Tzedek, a Bay Area coalition of
Jewish organizations for Justice and LGBT rights. 350 people attended.
Because of the current recession and in light of the 2004 Jewish Community Study's
finding that LGBT Jews are the least affluent and the most poverty-prone subgroup
among all Bay Area Jews, the LGBT Alliance has begun offering need-based
scholarships for multiple Jewish activities.
Given the high number of single parents in the LGBT Jewish community, our low-
cost Chanukah party, organized by the LGBT Outreach Committee, offered free
childcare as well as a speed-dating/networking game. 15 children participated in the
free childcare.

Community Partnerships: An integral part of the LGBT Alliance engagement strategy
is community partnerships. The LGBT Alliance helps build partnerships and cooperation
among organizations, professionals and institutions so that duplication is avoided, unmet
needs are met, and resource efficiency is achieved. The LGBT Alliance has emerged as a
model for promoting and embracing effective partnerships among those people and
organizations who might not otherwise have found a way to join together. After one
particularly successful event, Al Baum, founder of the LGBT Alliance wrote, “We
learned a lot from this party basically that there is a need for communal activities for
LGBT Jews and that organizations can work together to create them.”

Leveraging Peer Organizations: The LGBT Alliance partners directly with Jewish
Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Progressive Jewish
Alliance (PJA), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Congregation Sha'ar
Zahav (CSZ) and the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay (JFED) to
build diverse committees of lay leaders and to support a wide range programs without
duplicating efforts. Here are two examples of partnerships that the LGBT Alliance
Director cultivated in 2008:
Kol Tzedek: A Bay Area Coalition of Jewish Organizations for Justice and LGBT
Rights.
Transgender and Gender Variant Task Force: Addressing transgender identity
within the Jewish community

Program key learnings (one example): The LGBT PAG recommended that a powerful
way to reach previously-disenfranchised LGBT Jews was to become a visible advocate in
the marriage equality movement. Analysis of the 2008 election found that California’s
Jewish population overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 8, a measure to end marriage
equality. In a Post-Election California Voter Survey, conducted by David Binder
Research, of 800 to 1,000 voters in the November 2008 election, researchers found that
83% of Jewish voters voted NO on Proposition 8. Bolstered by this finding, the LGBT
Alliance has remained a leader in the marriage equality movement. We are committed to
a strong public stand for marriage equality while awaiting the March 5, 2009 California
State Supreme Court hearing on the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

2008 LGBT Alliance Planning and Advisory Group

Rabbi Ruth Adar Counties Staff: Rabbi Marvin
Ruth Atkin Goodman
Chair: Al Baum Julie Haddon
Ziv Beyth Frederick Hertz
JCF of San Francisco, the Leslie Katz
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Susan Krauss
Counties Staff: Karen Bluestone Kathy Levinson
JCF of Greater East Bay Staff: Susan Lowenberg
Rabbi James Brandt Ben Lunine
Stephanie Brill Eileen Lynette
Paul Cohen Stan Osofsky
Betsy Fels Potruck Mark Reisbaum
JCF of San Francisco, the Jerry Rosenstein
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Eileen Ruby
Counties Staff: Lisa Finkelstein Marc Smolowitz
JCF of San Francisco, the Howard Steiermann
JCF of Greater East Bay Staff:
Counties Staff: Julie Golde
Sam Strauss
JCF of San Francisco, the
Martin Tannenbaum
Ron Wolberg

LGBT Alliance Planning and Advisory Group General FAQ’s

1. What is the history of the LGBT Alliance? The LGBT Alliance began in 1996 as the Gay and
Lesbian Task Force of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and
Sonoma Counties. Over the next decade Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Jewish Lay Leaders
worked with the Alliance on leadership development, raising donations and hosting events. In 2007, in
alignment with JCF’s adoption of the new Strategic Funding Initiative, the LGBT Alliance transitioned
from the Campaign Department into the Federation’s Planning and Agency Support Department.
Today, the LGBT Alliance has charged itself with the crucial task to connect Bay Area LGBT Jews with
Jewish life. Together with community leaders and partners from across the Bay Area, the LGBT
Alliance supports a broad spectrum of initiatives directly related to Jewish life. A few 2008
accomplishments:
Convened programs, committees and advocacy activities designed to unify the Bay Area LGBT Jewish
community.
Commissioned, designed, and conducted the LGBT Bay Area Jewish Needs Assessment Study
Created the LGBT Alliance’s Planning and Advisory Group (PAG) and the LGBT Outreach
Committee with the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay (JFED).
Sponsored, promoted, hosted and organized multiple events and programs connecting LGBT Jews to
Jewish life.

2. Who are the LGBT Alliance population participants? The estimated 36,000 self-identified LGBT
Jews of the greater Bay Area. This estimate is based on the 2004 Jewish Community Study, which found
that 13,000 LGBT Jews reside in the San Francisco based Jewish Community Federation Service Area
(FSA) alone. Demographic estimates provided by the staff of the Jewish Community Federation of the
Greater East Bay (JFED) and the LGBT Alliance’s Planning and Advisory Group (PAG) suggest that
36,000 LGBT Bay Area Jews is a reasonable estimate for planning purposes. To put this figure in the
context of other groups funded by this commission, the Russian-speaking Bay Area Jewish community
(according to the 2004 Jewish Community Study) consists of almost 13,000 Jews and 3,000 non-Jews.

3. What viewpoints are we trying to include in the composition of this group? Group members are
Jewish Lay Leaders from across the Bay Area bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences
within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Variant, Intersex and Queer identified
continuum. Group members represent:
All of the geographic regions or counties of the Bay Area
Volunteer and professional leadership from Jewish Community Federations
Various Jewish LGBT constituencies
Rabbinic Leaders in our community

4. How is the partnership structured between the two Federations? To approach planning and grant
advocacy, leadership development and community outreach, the Jewish Community Federation’s LGBT
Alliance of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (SFJCF) formed the LGBT
Planning and Advisory Group in direct partnership with the Jewish Community Federation of the
Greater East Bay (JFED). Although both Federations will partner in the needs assessment study, each
federation will be responsible to its own constituency in utilizing the results of the study to inform
strategic plans that work in their respective contexts. In addition to JFED and it’s educational services
division, the Center for Jewish Living and Learning (CJLL) underwriting some portion of the cost of the
needs assessment study, they are partnering directly with the LGBT Alliance of SFJCF in allocating staff

time to organize and support the LGBT Planning and Advisory Group and provide programmatic
support in lay leadership development activities.

5. Why has the LGBT Alliance opted to pursue a strategic planning process now? The Jewish
Community Federation’s 2004 Community Study found that more than 8% of the Jewish households in
San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties identify as LGBT, representing over 21,000
individuals. The LGBT Planning and Advisory Group will specifically utilize the data from the needs
assessment study to create an LGBT Alliance strategic plan focused on funding allocations of Jewish
Community Federation over the next few years. The LGBT Alliance’s long-term funding plan and
timeline will also be based on the strategic plan.

6. Why has the LGBT Alliance chosen to conduct a needs assessment study as the first step in the
Strategic planning process? Although, the 2004 Jewish Community Study shed light on the basic
demographics of the LGBT Jewish community, it was not designed to delve deeper. Additionally, we
have access to basic trend data sourced in the general LGBT community, but we can not assume that
this data is directly applicable. Any good planning process ought to start with an assessment of the needs
of the population for whom the planning is being done.

7. Why has Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity been selected to
conduct the needs assessment study? Jewish Mosaic is the premier national organization devoted to
visibility, advocacy, education and research for the Jewish community regarding LGBT issues, concerns
and needs. To date, Jewish Mosaic has completed five community assessments. They are currently
involved with four separate community assessments and have plans for another five within the coming
year. The roster of experts Jewish Mosaic is bringing to the table for the Bay Area LGBT Jewish needs
assessment study includes a “Who’s Who” of Jewish communal and LGBT researchers, reflecting many
decades of combined experience. Jewish Mosaic has the content and context background to make well-
informed action-based recommendations based on the data they will gather. This makes them an
excellent group to conduct the research.

8. What geographic regions were included in the needs assessment study? Greater San Francisco
Bay Area including San Francisco, the Peninsula (San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara Counties),
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Data from the needs assessment study will
inform the unique strategic planning processes of both the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater
East Bay and the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma
Counties.

9. What kinds of questions will the needs assessment study address? The needs assessment study
was designed to provide data that will speak to:
How, when, and where LGBT Jews feel most included in Jewish community?
How, when and where LGBT Jews are motivated and/or discouraged from participation in the Jewish
community?
With what types of issues, people, and institutions do LGBT Jews resonate most? And least?
What are the needs (general and in connection to Jewish community) among LGBT Jews?

10. How will the Strategic Planning process commence? In the coming weeks we will finalize the
needs assessment study design with Mosaic. We will convene the group as study findings become
available and begin setting mission and data driven goals for the LGBT Alliance. Strategic planning will
move into “high gear” in April 2009

11. What is the role of the LGBT Planning and Advisory Group? To guide the overall strategic
planning process which includes the needs assessment study as a first step. Specifically, within the needs
assessment study members of this Group will be asked to:
Act as community advocates/ambassadors helping others understand the importance of the needs
assessment study and encouraging full participation
Provide feedback and input when reviewing the findings to derive meaningful conclusions that will
inform the strategic planning process
Advise the LGBT Alliance Lay Leadership Outreach Committee (a separate committee) to ensure our
continued impact in the community during the strategic planning process

Welcome PAG Member Letter

20 Nisan 5768

Dear LGBT Planning and Advisory Group Member,

On behalf of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay and the Jewish Community
Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, we are thrilled to welcome you
to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Planning and Advisory Group. Thank you for your
commitment to making our Jewish Community welcoming and responsive to the needs of LGBT Jews
throughout the Bay Area. We look forward to working with you in the coming months on what promises
to be a significant initiative.

The LGBT Planning and Advisory Group is one of the central components of the new Strategic Funding
Initiatives for both of our Federations. This initiative will further the Jewish Community Federation of
San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties’ Educating and Engaging Commission by
assessing needs and developing strategies that are relevant to LGBT Jews. For the Jewish Community
Federation of the Greater East Bay, the LGBT Planning and Advisory Group represents a crucial first
step in engaging and serving LGBT members of the East Bay Jewish community and an emerging
outreach priority of the Federation’s Center for Jewish Living and Learning. We are looking to this group
to help define new goals, create a viable strategic plan with concrete implementation steps and
commission and Bay Area wide LGBT needs assessment.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. Again, thank you for your involvement in
this important work.

With every good wish,

Karen Bluestone Rabbi James Brandt
Chief Planning and Program Officer Executive Director
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, Center for Jewish Living and Learning
the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties Jewish Community Federation of the
Greater East Bay

2008 – 2009: Allocations
Jewish Community Federation Grants for LGBT Jews locally and in Israel:
Total Grants made in 2008-2009: $294,538
Cong. Sha’ar Zahav, to reach interfaith families from both the CSZ community and
unaffiliated community residents, providing them with greater access and connection to
Jewish community activities and events via curriculum development, outreach and
educational sessions. $10,000.
The Jerusalem Open House, $15,000
LGBT Alliance, The staffing and program budget of our LGBT Alliance is fully funded
by the Federation’s annual campaign. During its initial years seed funding grants from
the Endowment Fund funded the Alliance budget into 2007 at varying amounts. The
Alliance provides powerful and innovative events and programs that enrich the LGBT
community, Bay Area-wide. $190,588.
LGBT Bay Area Needs Assessment Study, although, the 2004 Jewish Community
Study shed light on the basic demographics of the LGBT Jewish community, it was not
designed to delve deeper. Additionally, we have access to basic trend data sourced in the
general LGBT community, but we can not assume that this data is directly applicable
therefore, and with the intention to start a new planning process, we commissioned
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity to conduct a Bay
Area LGBT Jewish Needs Assessment Study. Commissioned in partnership with the
Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. The purpose of the study is to
understand what is meaningful to LGBT Jews in terms of being Jewish; Analyze the
ways in which LGBT Jews currently interact with the organized Jewish community;
Develop a portrait of what Bay Area LGBT Jews want and need from the Jewish
community in terms of services and programs; Catalog existing LGBT-related programs
and services in the Bay Area Jewish community; Identify gaps in services and programs
for LGBT Jews and their families. The results of this study will help Jewish community
leaders to better understand and plan for what LGBT Jews want and need. It will also
identify successes and barriers in community efforts to engage LGBT Jews. $53,950
LGBT Strategic Plan, the LGBT Planning and Advisory Group (PAG) is one of the
central components of the new Strategic Funding Initiatives for both Bay Area
Federations. This initiative will further the SF JCF’s Educating and Engaging
Commission by assessing needs and developing strategies that are relevant to LGBT
Jews. For the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay, the LGBT
Planning and Advisory Group represents a crucial first step in engaging and serving
LGBT members of the East Bay Jewish community and an emerging outreach priority.
Dr. Wendy Rosov will work with the LGBT PAG to specifically utilize the data from the
needs assessment study to create an LGBT Alliance strategic plan focused on funding
allocations of Jewish Community Federation over the next few years. The LGBT
Alliance’s long-term funding plan and timeline will also be based on the strategic plan.
Technical Assistance Grant for Rosov Consulting, LLC $25,000.

2007 LGBT Alliance Board
Al Austin Leslie Katz
Chair: Susan Bluer Staff: Lisa Kron
Susan Caust Campaign Chair: Eileen Lynette
Aaron Danzig Stephanie Portman
Staff: Bonnie Feinberg Immediate Past Chair: Howard
Jason Feinberg Steiermann
Lou Fischer Dennis Ybarra
Michael Fischer Hellman

2007 LGBT Alliance Campaign
We surpassed last year again, despite losing our director and the announcement of major
structural changes before the end of the campaign. We saw the return of a previously lost
gift, through the endowed annual gift of Michael Freedland, and Chair Susan Bluer and
Campaign Chair Eileen Lynette continued the incentive contest.

Major Gifts ($10K+): $42,879
Divisional ($250-$9,999): $72,082
Community Campaign ($250 & Below): $6,225
Total for 2005: $121,186

2007 LGBT Alliance Programs and Outreach Strategy

Co-sponsorship of ADL’s “Finding Our Voice: Conference for progressives
constructively addressing Anti-Semitism.” January 28th, 2007, this is a
provocative all-day event, offering insight on dealing with anti-Semitism on the left.
The LGBT speaker panel includes Julie Dorf from Horizons Foundation, Ali
Cannon, a Jewish Trans activist, formerly with the Holocaust center, and Penny
Rosenwasser, a Jewish American Peace Activist. Moderated by Karen Erlichman
Alliance Night at the Traveling Jewish Theater. Death of a Salesman on a
Thursday early in the play’s run, and post theatre chat and drinks, with performers in
attendance. Tickets are only $18; $30 to cover expenses.
Purim. A party held in the Mission, and should include a DJ and/or Klezmer rock.
Power of One. Susan Bluer sponsored a table with Susan Caust.
LATKES & VODKA, The evening was a success, with 200+ in attendance. The
board agreed on a larger, new space for the next Chanukah Party, with catering.

2007 Transition from a Campaign Affinity group
The LGBT Alliance was launched as a Campaign Affinity group of the Jewish Community
Federation in 2001. The LGBT Alliance was charged with community outreach and
engagement, leadership development and fundraising activities focused specifically on LGBT
Jews and their allies within our Federation service area.

While the Alliance has been consistently successful in building a strong sense of LGBT
community within the FSA, increased LGBT inclusion in JCF activities, and has developed a
small but committed cadre of LGBT leaders, the group has not been as successful in raising
funds for the JCF annual campaigns.

Time and again Alliance outreach and engagement efforts have been hampered by the
pressure to solicit financial support before LGBT community members have had a chance to
understand the work of the JCF and how their financial support through the JCF might
benefit the LGBT community.

In order to reach, engage and retain LGBT community participation in JCF activities;
Bonnie Feinberg strongly recommended shifting the focus of the LGBT Alliance from a
campaign affinity group model to a community outreach program model.

Shifting the Alliance's goals away from fundraising and focusing solely on community
outreach and engagement will allow the LGBT community the time to understand,
appreciate and pursue the opportunities that the Jewish Community Federation offers to
them and their families.

TRANSITION GOALS

1. Transfer the LGBT Alliance (its professional staff, constituents and community partners)
from the management of the JCF Campaign department to the JCF Planning
department.
2. Reorganize the structure of the Alliance from a Campaign affinity group model to a
Community Outreach Program model.

POST-TRANSITION PURPOSE: Outreach, Engagement & Events

OUTREACH: Reach out to and draw in new constituents to the JCF and to our beneficiary
agencies using the following methods:
Produce targeted community events
Hold individual and small group meetings with potential constituents
Network with LGBT & Jewish community members to generate referrals
Research potential constituents
Conceive of marketing plans to reach new constituents

ENGAGEMENT: Capitalize on outreach efforts by connecting individual constituents to
their areas of interest within the JCF and or to our beneficiary agencies (BA) using the
following methods:
Produce events featuring JCF related content & messaging

Collaborate with (BA) to identify educational, cultural & spiritual engagement
opportunities within our Federation Service Area (FSA)
Introduce individuals to lay leadership opportunities within the JCF
Link constituents to Jewish community resources

EVENTS: LGBT Alliance events are intended to reach out to, engage and educate LGBT
constituents within our (FSA) with the following in mind:
All events must be related to the program's overall mission which should be
consulted during the event planning process
Events must be targeted to a particular part of the LGBT, Jewish or Jewish LGBT
communities
Each event must have a budget, timeline, specific goals, a feedback mechanism and
plan for follow-up
Each event must meet a basic set of criteria, to be established by LGBT Alliance and
Planning department staff

POST-TRANSITION FUNCTIONS: Lay Leadership Development, Fundraising,
Community Relations and Ambassadorship

FUNDRAISING: LGBT Alliance staff along with all JCF staff will be engaged in the
fundraising process each year by streamlining the campaign process for LGBT solicitors in
working with their new campaign director/partners in each region and Lisa Kron acts as the
campaign coordinator for LGBT donors, being the liaison between divisional directors and
regional LGBT Alliance solicitors
Recommending LGBT prospects to Campaign and Endowment staff
Consulting with campaign staff on LGBT donors and prospects
Assisting in solicitations of LGBT donors as needed
Attending and participating in Campaign events as appropriate
Stewarding LGBT constituents toward their 1st gifts to JCF

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: The LGBT Alliance staff and lay leaders represent the JCF
and manage external relations on behalf of JCF where LGBT Jewish matters are concerned
by acting as an ambassador. Additionally, representing LGBT Jews within the organized
Jewish Community and manage external relations on behalf of JCF where LGBT Jewish
matters are concerned by:
Participating in community meetings and activities on behalf of JCF
Forging relationships between the JCF and LGBT community organizations and
representatives
Providing Jewish community information and referrals to LGBT people
Pursuing projects that bring greater visibility and inclusion of LGBT Jews within
LGBT community circles
Building collaborative relationships with beneficiary agencies
Offering expertise and consult to other federations (including UJC) and their
communities on LGBT community building techniques
Establishing on-going dialogue and encourage two-way referrals with synagogue
leaders throughout the FSA
Sharing resources with national Jewish organizations interested in collaboration

Co-sponsoring Jewish community activities that are designed to include LGBT Jews
and their families (ex: annual Jewish wedding fair, Israel missions, JCC programming
etc.)

VOLUNTEER AND LAY-LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: The LGBT Alliance
staff and lay leaders will strive to continually bring new people into the JCF and provide
them with meaningful options for participation through:
Recruiting new lay leaders from the community to serve on commissions, regional
councils, committees and other portals of community entry
Identifying Alliance advisory committee prospects and building the committees'
capacity
Leading/participating in overlapping community outreach programs
Creating a LGBT leadership succession plan with Director of Leadership
Development
Working with Director of Leadership Development to engage lay-leadership
throughout the JCF and beneficiary agencies
Securing sufficient lay leaders & LGBT volunteers for various JCF-wide community
events Super Sunday, Power of One, and Israel in the Gardens
The LGBT Alliance's paradigm shift from a campaign affinity group to a community
outreach program requires a different type of lay structure. I strongly recommend
disbanding the LGBT Alliance Board and developing an LGBT Advisory Committee
comprised of community leaders whose particular expertise contributes to the new
goals of the LGBT Alliance.
Disband the LGBT Alliance board as it is structured now and create an LGBT
Advisory Committee
Retain only the current board members with appropriate skill sets who are interested
in participating in the new advisory committee
Refer remaining board members to different lay positions within JCF that best
utilizes their skills (commissions, councils, campaign etc.)
Design advisory committee recruitment strategy and implement it

Jewish Community Federation Grants for LGBT Jews locally and in Israel:

Total Grants made in 2007-2008: $230,000 (estimated)
The Jerusalem Open House, $15,000
Association of GLBT in Israel $15,000
The staffing and program budget of our LGBT Alliance is fully funded by the
Federation’s Endowment $ Estimated $200,000


Al Austin Leslie Katz
Campaign Chair: Susan Bluer Staff: Lisa Kron
Prudence Carter Vice Campaign Chair: Eileen
Ezra Cattan Lynette
Susan Caust Melissa Packer
Aaron Danzig Nurit Robinson
Staff: Bonnie Feinberg Chair: Howard Steiermann
Lou Fischer Seth Skolnick
Mark Fish Susan Tubbesing
Michael Fischer Hellman Dennis Ybarra

2006 LGBT ALLIANCE CAMPAIGN
Our goal this year was $118,000, and to all intents and purposes, we made it. The first
incentive contest was put in place by Campaign Chair Susan Bluer and Vice Campaign Chair
Eileen Lynette.

Major gifts: $28,500
Divisional: $82,441
Community Campaign: $6,924
Total for 2006: $117,865

2006 LGBT Alliance Programs and Outreach Strategy

Frameline Film Festival with Latkes & Vodka: Annual LGBT
Receptions with the Directors for Chanukah event
the films Paper Dolls & Wrestling LGBT night at the Traveling
with Angels Jewish Theatre
Jewish Film Festival with First Thursday Schmooze
Receptions for the film Hineini: Contemporary Jewish Museum
Coming Out in a Jewish High Nights & Tours
School Marriage Equality Events
Family-friendly Outdoor Events
with local LGBT partnership with
Our Family Coalition and
COLAGE

Jewish Community Federation Grants for LGBT Jews locally & in Israel:
Total Grants made in 2006-2007: $230,000 (estimated)

Cong. Sha’ar Zahav: To reach interfaith families from both the CSZ community and
unaffiliated community residents, providing them with greater access and connection to
Jewish community activities and events via curriculum development, outreach and
educational sessions. The grant is for $10,000. Thanks to an increase in the 2006 campaign
last year, the Federation was able to make this strategic grant to serve the LGBT community.
Camp Tawonga offers an LGBT Keshet Program for LGBT families with unique
programs and activities over a long weekend each fall. Camp Tawonga’s annual
campaign allocation for operating support is $120,200.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services ($1 million annually from Federation, part of
which funds the LGBT Outreach Program, adoption assistance and
psychotherapy/social services to LGBTs);
Jewish Vocational Services ($900,000 annually from Federation, part of which funds
back-to-work programs for people with HIV/AIDS);
SF Jewish Film Festival ($57,000 annually from Federation, 20% of festival’s audience
is LGBT);
Lehrhaus Judaica ($100,000 annually, part of which funds Jewish courses at
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav);
Bay Area Jewish Healing Center ($200,000 annually from Federation, spiritual care to
a significant number of LGBTs and their families coping with illness, death and loss).
The Aguda (Civil rights and Advocacy organization serving LGBT people with
branches throughout Israel). $7,300 to $12,500 annually from Federation.
The Jerusalem Open House (LGBT Community Center in Jerusalem) $7,300 to
$12,500 annually from Federation. The JOH was the organizing body for the World
Pride celebrations in August 2006.
Endowment grants have been approved to support the participation of non-Jewish
LGBT elected officials and key community leaders on missions to Israel sponsored by
the Jewish Community Relations Council. These missions have helped educate LGBT
leaders about the realities and complexity of Israel today. Funding approved this past
year includes support for a special LGBT public officials mission to coincide with the
World Pride celebration to be held in Jerusalem in August of 2006.
The Endowment also has a Fund for Gay and Lesbian Causes in Israel established in
1999 following the “Journey of Pride” when members of the LGBT community
participated in a Federation sponsored trip.
The Ronald P. Wilmot Scholarship Fund, a restricted fund of the JCEF, was established
through a bequest from Ron Wilmot to provide scholarships for the children of
gay/lesbian parents. We’ve awarded 4 to 6 scholarships totaling about $16,000 per year
in each of the past 6 years.
The Endowment Fund also provides significant need-based scholarship funds to send
children to Jewish summer camps (about $250,000 per year) including a significant but
unknown percentage of children of gay and lesbian families.

A major grant from the Albert and Janet Schultz Supporting Foundation of the JCEF
also made available grants for family camp weekends. At least three were awarded this
year for the Keshet gay/lesbian family camp at Camp Tawonga.
$18,000 Endowment Fund seed funding in 1999 for the “Keshet” Gay and Lesbian
Family Camp weekend at Camp Tawonga helped create the first-ever gay and lesbian
Jewish family camp program. The pilot program was extremely successful and is now a
regular part of Tawonga’s annual programming.
The JCEF Newhouse Fund, one of our restricted funds, provided seed funding for the
AIDS Project at Jewish Family and Children’s Services in 1987, and was the largest
funder of this program each year, provided annual grants of $60,000. In 2002 JFCS
integrated these services into their other activities for people with disabilities.
A $10,458 Endowment Grant was approved in May of 2001 to Congregation Sha’ar
Zahav to provide one-time security improvements
Federation provides need-based funding for Israel Experience programs for all
Federation area families, and provided matching funds for the Gift of Israel program.
A $13,000 Endowment Fund grant was approved in October of 2003 to co-sponsor an
exhibit by openly gay Israeli photographer Adi Nes that was held at the Palace of the
Legion of Honor.
The staffing and program budget of our LGBT Alliance is fully funded by the
Federation. During its initial three years seed funding grants from the Endowment Fund
funded the Alliance budget. The Alliance provides powerful and innovative events and
programs that enrich the LGBT community, Bay Area-wide.


Al Austin Seth Skolnick
Al Baum Oren Slozberg
Prudence Carter Susan Tubbesing
Aaron Danzig Campaign Chair: Susan Bluer
Daniel Howard Campaign Co-Chair: Eileen
Leslie Katz Lynette
David Lasker Chair: Howard Steiermann
Dan Levy Staff: Lisa Kron & Bonnie
Aaron Danzig Feinberg
Nurit Robinson

Despite the loss (by death) of a major donor, with the gradual building of greater board
participation, full staffing, and a greater community presence, our numbers went up
considerably this year, and will continue to rise…

Major Gifts ($10K+): $27,975
Divisional ($250-$9,999): $64,599
Total for 2005: $97,147

2005 LGBT Alliance Programs, Strategy and Leadership
The Alliance is slowly building partnerships with community organizations to position us for
full inclusion and participation in the Bay Area Jewish and LGBT communities. The Alliance
board continues to grow to include diverse representation from across the LGBT and Jewish
communities. We are still the only LGBT Alliance division of any Federation in North
America. We are leaders in bringing LGBT Jews together for community building and
leadership development. As the only group of our kind, we are in a unique position to create
a model to be replicated in other communities throughout the country. This is a great
opportunity for the board and for those involved in Alliance activities.

Super Sunday The Alliance had excellent representation this year in this Jewish
community wide event, which touches thousands of lives through Tzedakah.
Yom Keshet The Alliance was a co-sponsor of this one-day mini-educational
conference for Jewish Day School staff and administrators. The sessions allowed
participants to learn about LGBT issues in education, the Jewish community and a sense
of how to effectively serve LGBT families

Hanukkah Hoe-down The Alliance was a co-sponsor of this longtime community
celebration of Hanukkah set in the Mission district. This variety show hosted by Jewish
Trans activist Fairy Butch brought in over 400 attendees.
Text in the City The Alliance co-sponsored this Kabbalah text study with the NYC
diva the Rebbetzin Hadassah Gross. This high camp Jewish drag performer made Jewish
text available and fun for the audience at the SFJCC.
Gay Day on the Russian River The Alliance hosted this trip down the Russian River
for the 2nd year in a row. The canoe trip was followed by a lavishly catered barbeque at
the riverfront home of Walter Leiss.
Homosexuals in the Holocaust In June 2005, the Alliance will be a community
partner in presenting the traveling exhibition from the US Holocaust museum entitled
Homosexuals in the Holocaust. The exhibit takes place in the main branch of the SF
Public Library.
Magnes Museum show On April 17th, the Alliance is hosting a private tour of the new
Cahun-Moore exhibition at the Magnes. The tour will be preceded by a special reception
in the museum gardens.
Jews on Ice LGBT Alliance members had a ball skating at Yerba Buena gardens as part
of our addition of activity based programming.
Schmooze & 1st Thursdays These monthly mixers were the Alliance’s 1st program
mainstays. We continue to host them every few months for those who enjoy a cozy
cocktail gathering.
Not In Our Town This KQED documentary about community responses to hate
crimes in Northern California examines the intersection between racism, anti-Semitism
and homophobia. The Alliance may host a community screening and panel discussion
about this film in May.
Karaoke at the Mint The Alliance event drew a diverse group of crooners and
onlookers who covered songs from the 70s to today. The feedback after this event was
outstanding.
Frameline Film fest The Alliance will be sponsor of one of the films in the Frameline
festival this year. The specific film has not been chosen yet, but it is sure to be followed
by a great reception in the Castro.


Al Baum Dan Levy
Adam Berman Steve Mazer
Prudence Carter Irene Ogus
Tiela Chalmers Nurit Robinson
Daniel Howard Seth Skolnick
Leslie Katz Oren Slozberg
Bernis Kretchmar Howard Steierman
Staff: Lisa Kron Susan Tubbesing
David Lasker Connie Wolf

Even during a difficult year, with much transition in the board, no LGBT Alliance director,
and the retirement of our founder and one of our most connected solicitors, Al Baum, we
kept close to our goal, although our numbers showed the stress.

Major Gifts ($10K+): $31,675
Divisional ($250-$9,999): $55,237
Total for 2004: $90,595

LGBT Leadership and Advocacy in the Jewish community, a
committee instituted in 2004
Attempt to have consistent LGBT representation on JCF’s PAS committee, Israel and
Overseas committee and Endowment grant-making committees to advocate for
consistent and meaningful funding of LGBT Jewish activities and programs.
Write policy statement to be adopted by Federation’s Board of Directors calling on all
Jewish organizations to practice non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation
and inclusiveness as to sexual minorities in all activities.
Train members and staff of Federation’s PAS committee, Israel and Overseas
committee and Endowment committees which have roles in making grants to
sensitize them to the demographics and special needs of LGBTs and to possible
presence of homophobia affecting their activities.
Write policy statement to be adopted by Federation’s Board of Directors calling on its
beneficiary organizations to provide LGBT sensitivity training to their staffs and lay
leaders. By LGBT sensitivity training, we mean sensitizing people to the special
needs of their LGBT constituents (including clients, members, staff, volunteers).
Consider Federation’s convening annual or biannual workshop for all beneficiary
organizations (governing boards, managements and program staff) to provide LGBT
sensitivity training. (Coordinate efforts with JCF’s Planning Dept.).

Ensure that LGBT Jews are meaningfully included on Federation’s Board of
Directors, among its officers, and on its staff.
Convene advocacy group involved in Jewish education of youth to ensure that Jewish
youth in schools and synagogues are being educated about sexual diversity and
alternative Jewish families. Coordinate efforts with Bureau of Jewish Education,
Board of Rabbis and Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
In coordination with Federation’s Marketing Department, encourage mention of
LGBT people and activities in material that Federation provides for the Northern
California Jewish Bulletin.
In coordination with the Federation’s Planning Department, encourage the Jewish
Community Relations Council to include a LGBT angle on issues that it follows.
Wherever possible, link these advocacy efforts back to the Federation and the work of
the LGBT Alliance of the Federation.

2003 Gay and Lesbian Alliance Board

Advocacy Board Committee: Programming/Community
Caryn Aviv Building Board Committee:
Co-Chair: Al Baum Dan Levy
Programming/Community Advocacy Board Committee:
Building Board Committee: Susan Lowenberg
Adam Berman Steve Mazer
Co-Chair: Tiela Chalmers Fundraising Board Committee:
Staff: Danny Givertz Oren Slozberg
Advocacy Board Committee: Howard Steierman
Alan Gordon Programming/Community
Fundraising Board Committee: Building Board Committee:
Leslie Katz Susan Tubbesing
Staff: Lisa Kron Programming/Community
Bernis Kretchmar Building Board Committee:
Connie Wolf

The new LGBT Alliance, with a new director, and the active participation of its founder in
setting up substantial solicitations, garnered many one-time initial gifts, but also laid the
foundation for a steady base that we continue to cultivate
Major Gifts ($10K+): $29,525
Divisional ($250-$9,999): $74,094
Total for 2003: $105,936

2003 LGBT Alliance Outreach Programs

Israel AMUTA Breakfast Briefing in January and again in April with 20 people
Distinguished Lecture Series: “Daddy & Papa” Film/Panel Discussion in January with
80 people.
Distinguished Lecture Series: Uzi Even in February with 125 people
Book Reading with “Queer Jews” in February with 50 people
Shabbat Across America at Sha’ar Zahav (Religious Services/Panel Discussion) in March
with 25 people
A Night at “The Producers”) in March with 36 people
“June Bride” Sara Felder performance in April with 250 people
Distinguished Lecture Series: Dr. Peggy Drexler in May with 65 people

for the 2nd year in a row. The canoe trip was followed by a lavishly catered barbeque at
the riverfront home of Walter Leiss.
cocktail gathering. In 2003 we hosted 8 gatherings and attracted on average 33 people
each time.
Frameline Film fest The Alliance sponsored the Israeli films Yossi & Jagger, attended
by 1,800 people as well as the film Send Me An Angel with 750 people. Additionally, a
reception for 120 people at Frameline festival.
Jewish Film Festival “Hand on the Pulse” Film in July for 500 people at two showings.

2002 Gay Lesbian Alliance Board

Emily Allen Programming/Community
Advocacy Board Committee: Building Board Committee:
Caryn Aviv Dan Levy
Co-Chair: Al Baum Advocacy Board Committee:
Programming/Community Susan Lowenberg
Building Board Committee: Steve Mazer
Adam Berman Eric Saddik
Co-Chair: Tiela Chalmers Fundraising Board Committee:
Paul Cohen Oren Slozberg
Barak Ben Gal Howard Steiermann
Staff: Danny Givertz Programming/Community
Advocacy Board Committee: Building Board Committee:
Alan Gordon Susan Tubbesing
Randi Gerson Programming/Community
Fundraising Board Committee: Building Board Committee:
Leslie Katz Connie Wolf
Bernis Kretchmar
Staff: Lisa Kron

2002 LGBT Alliance Outreach Programs

with 45 people. The canoe trip was followed by a lavishly catered barbeque at the
riverfront home of Walter Leiss.
cocktail gathering. In 2002 we hosted 4 gatherings and attracted on average 36 people
each time.
Jewish Film Festival “Ruthie and Connie” Film in July for 25 in the South Peninsula as
well as a showing and reception in San Francisco for 50 people.

Summary: 2002-05 Strategy
MISSION: To provide opportunities for meaningful and joyful involvement by LGBT
individuals in the Jewish community and create a reciprocal connection between the
Federation and its agencies with the LGBT Jewish community. Additionally the mission
hopes to reach LGBT Jews and strengthen their Jewish identity through community building
and fundraising for the ongoing programs of the Jewish community, locally and abroad
(special attention given to reach unaffiliated LGBT Jews) and to integrate LGBTs into the
Jewish Community Federation through community building and fundraising.

In order to realize this mission, the Alliance must identify prospective members through
outreach, develop and provide engaging programs to retain the members, and provide
leadership development opportunities to grow their involvement. Marketing efforts to
promote a pro-LGBT image of the Federation as well as to increase awareness of the
Alliance will be crucial to these efforts. Community building efforts and community-based
alliances with other organizations (within both the Jewish and the LGBT communities) will
be used extensively. Over time, the Alliance aims to turn the community’s program
participation into philanthropy for the Federation. Gaining LGBT donors to the Federation
will require extensive marketing efforts to make a compelling case for giving to the
Federation’s umbrella campaign.

The Alliance is conscious of its role as the first dedicated LGBT division of a Federation.
As the Strategic Plan is implemented and as membership, leadership affiliation and
philanthropic contributions grow, it is our vision that other Federations and Jewish
organizations across the country and across the globe will turn to the San Francisco-based
Alliance for help with dedicated LGBT efforts of their own.

Vision of the LGBT Alliance: To reach a point of meaningful and substantial involvement
in the Jewish Community Federation and in the Jewish community by members of the
LGBT community of the Bay Area. Specifically, the goals to meet our mission and vision
include:

TARGET POPULTION: While the San Francisco city area is the most densely populated,
the Alliance is planning to reach out to local communities outside of the City. In addition to
geographical distribution, the Alliance must consider the various ages and relationship
statuses of our target population. The Alliance will target isolated groups who particularly
seek Jewish community (e.g., unaffiliated newcomers to Bay Area, singles seeking Jewish
partners, LGBT families with children seeking social networking, parents of LGBTs seeking
social networking); however, it remains dedicated to creating exceptional programming for
all segments of the LGBT Jewish community, including:

Youth LGBT Parents and
Young adults Families family
Adults Non-Jewish members of
Seniors partners of LGBTs
LGBTs Lesbians
MESSAGING: Before beginning a large-scale marketing effort, the Alliance leadership is
considering a change of name from “Gay and Lesbian Alliance” to “LGBT Alliance” and/or

an acronym that allows the Alliance to be inclusive of all members of the LGBT Jewish
community. In its marketing efforts, the Alliance will place special emphasis on
representation by Alliance staff and volunteers who can reach the broadest cross-section of
constituency (e.g., men and women of all ages, races, and sexual identities).

Through its marketing efforts, the Alliance will attempt to strongly and publicly
communicate the Federation’s efforts (past and present) to serve the LGBT community. In
addition, the Alliance’s marketing efforts will communicate the following messages:

The LGBT Alliance of the Jewish Community Federation provides unique
opportunities for LGBT Jews to engage meaningfully in strengthening both the LGBT
Jewish community here and internationally, as well as the Jewish community as a whole.
The LGBT Alliance of the JCF provides avenues of social connection for LGBT Jews
and families/loved ones of LGBTs.
The LGBT Alliance of the JCF offers diverse and edgy programming.
The LGBT Alliance of the JCF and the Federation as a whole is a meaningful and
inspiring organization in which to volunteer, contribute to Jewish communal
development, and to grow oneself as a lay leader.
The LGBT Alliance of the JCF is reaching out to young people and cultivating their
participation in the Jewish community, even if the youth or young adults may not have
great financial capacity to give at this stage.
The LGBT Alliance holds community building as a primary goal.
The LGBT Alliance embraces risk taking.

FUNDRAISING: Through its programming, the Alliance attempts to provide consistent
education to all donors and prospective donors about Federation’s Annual Campaign and its
beneficiaries; Federation’s Endowment and opportunities for targeted philanthropy;
Federation’s committees and opportunities for Jewish communal volunteerism within
Federation. Our Goals:

o In Federation Year 2003, the Alliance will build its donor database to 600 donors and
prospective donors. In subsequent years, the Alliance will increase its database by 50%
each year until it reaches a baseline goal of 2500 people (or 10% of the estimated local
LGBT Jewish community).
o In Federation Year 2003, the Alliance will raise $100,000 for the Annual Campaign. The
Alliance is entering Federation Year 2003 with a donor base of approximately $50,000 of
LGBT giving in prior Federation years. The goal therefore will be to maintain at least
this $50,000 base and to add $50,000 new donor dollars to the Annual Campaign. The
Alliance is aware that it is attempting to achieve an ambitious fundraising goal and may
not reach this goal during its first year of contributing to the Annual Campaign.

Of special importance in the LGBT community, the Alliance will provide detailed
information of the Federation’s annual allocations to LGBT programs. The Alliance will
encourage philanthropy to the Federation in whatever capacity and avenue the donor wishes
to give. Donors will be initially encouraged to give to the umbrella Annual Campaign.
Secondarily, donors will be encouraged to create endowment vehicles for their Jewish
philanthropy through the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. Examples of such
endowment vehicles include individual or family philanthropic funds and supporting
foundations, as well as LGBT community philanthropic funds.

In some cases, donors will be encouraged to underwrite or endow certain Alliance events or
programming. This underwriting will not replace or reduce the donor’s gifts to the Annual
Campaign. The Alliance’s budget for Federation Year 2003 depends upon raising $17,500 in
underwriting.

As a part of a larger philanthropic organization, the Alliance will also recruit volunteers for
participation in general Federation fundraisers. These will include a dedicated Super Sunday
LGBT phone bank, participation in ongoing telethons and other special event fundraisers.

$350,000 Endowment loan to help Congregation Sha'ar Zahav with its Dolores Street
building (made in 1997 and paid back in full in 2002) was the only time the Federation/
JCEF has ever made funds available (loan or grant) to a synagogue capital project. The
loan was made specifically in recognition of CSZ's unique role in reaching out to the gay and lesbian
community.

2001 Gay Lesbian Alliance Task Force
Kenneth Altman
Bill Ambrunn
Kathleen Baca
Chair: Al Baum
Mark Battat
Tiela Chalmers
Philip Charney
Michael Chertok
Paul Cohen
Larry Colton
Jewish Community Endowment & Federation Staff: Phyllis Cook
Bruce Crondder
Ed Chushman
Malcom Danoff
Julie Dorf
Jewish Community Federation Staff: Maxine Epstein
Avner Even-Zohar
Wayne Feinstein
Simon Glinsky
Ellen Goldstein
Michael Heinl
Thomas Herz
Tobert Heyman
Tom Herz
Ron Lezell
Robert Mison
Saralie Pennington
Mark Reisbaum
Dave Ring
Jerry Rosentstein
Howard Steierman
Holly Their
Sam Tucket
Rabbi Eric Weiss
Israel Center Staff: Meirav Yarom
Dennis Ybarra

Bill Ambrunn
Chair: Al Baum
Philip Charney
Michael Chertok
Larry Colton
Jewish Community Federation Staff: Maxine Epstein
Tom Herz
Rob Heymann
Bernis Kretchmar
Mark Leno
Ron Lezell
Susan Lowenberg
Program Chair for the Rabbi Steve Greenberg event: David Maltz
Robert Mison
Saralie Pennington
Dave Ring
Jerry Rosentstein
Howard Steierman
Holly Their
Sam Tucker
Dave Ring
Jewish Community Endowment Staff: Mark Reisbaum
Margaret Rothman
Marti Sands
Judy Schwartz
David Tuller
Janice Weinstein
Rabbi Eric Weiss
Israel Center Staff: Meirav Yarom
Dennis Ybarra

2000 Updated Platform
On April 5, 2000 Al Baum wrote to the members of the Gay and Lesbian Task Force with a
proposal for how we might transform the 1997 “platform” of the Task Force into an Action
Plan. The plan was to move the Federation and its beneficiary agencies forward giving full
attention and weight to the needs of Bay Area lesbian and gay Jews in our community. Al
wrote, “There have been some good actions carrying out some of the “planks” of that
“platform,” but much more remains to be done.” He recruited volunteers from the G/L
Task Force to serve on the following four committees to divide up the content of the work
to be done:

Assessment of the present state of interactions between the JCF and its local beneficiary
agencies and G/L Jews. Are there G/L on the various boards of our local agencies and
organizations, and if so how many? What are the significant needs and issues affecting G/L
Jews, and how can they be integrated in the overall approach and planning by all beneficiary
organizations and agencies of the JCF? Recommendations on ways in which current
interactions (if any) can improve.

Outreach and Education Does JCF need to create a G/L affinity group of the Annual
Campaign, analogous to the Young Adults Division (YAD) and to the various professional
divisions? This committee will also serve as a planning committee for Outreach Programs
and Events, such as the Rabbi Steve Greenberg Program scheduled for May 21, 2000. This
includes political issues and how to gain support from allies in the general community.

Israel and Oversees This committee will work closely with JCF’s Israel Center staff in
arranging for a reciprocal Journey of Pride visit from our G/L Israeli counterparts, and the
second Journey of Pride from San Francisco to Israel in April/May 2001.

Grants and Allocations This committee will spearhead the Task Force’s recommendations
for grants and allocations from its donor-advised philanthropic fund geared toward G/L
causes here and in Israel. Members of this committee would also assess and follow the JCF
and the Endowment Department of the JCF in its funding of G/L activities.

1997 - 1999 Gay Lesbian Alliance Task Force Leadership

Peter Altman Ron Lezell
Bill Ambrunn Jason Lorber
Mark Battat Susan Lowenberg
Chair: Al Baum David Nathanson
Tiela Chalmers Irene Ogus
Staff: Maxine Epstein Doug Okun
Paul Cohen Gerald Rosenstein
Laurence Colton Alix Sabin
Julie Dorf Sharyn Saslfsky
Henry Hardeveldt Judy Schwartz
Rabbi Yoel Kahn Scott Shafer
Jonathan Katz Oren Slozberg
Leslie Katz Fred Sonenberg
Irwin Keller Howard Steiermann
Mark Leno Sam Tucker
Robin Leonard Rabbi Eric Weiss

Outreach & Leadership Development: In April 1999, the Jewish Community Federation
in partnership with the Israel Center’s Living Bridge Program sponsored the first of its kind,
Journey of Pride Mission to Israel. This ten-day trip with 20 guests combined some of the
usual orientation activities for first-time visitors to Israel but with an intensive exposure to
the activities of G/L civil rights and communal organizations and activists. The trip was a
great success, and strong bonds were forged between some of the San Franciscans and their
counterparts in Israeli activist organizations. One immediate result of the Journey of Pride
was the establishment of the Fund for Gay and Lesbian Causes in Israel, a donor-advised
fund at the Jewish Community Endowment of the Jewish Community Federation. This
fund will make grants to G/L organizations in Israel as advised by the G/L Task force.
Another response from the trip was a strong desire from the Task Force to propose a
reciprocal trip in 2001 of bringing four to eight Israelis to San Francisco to learn
organizational and other methods of American social service agencies, G/L, Jewish and
AIDS-oriented. San Franciscans would learn a lot about G/L issues and progress in Israel.
In 1999 Al Baum was quoted saying, "The San Francisco community has taken a lead in
connecting to the gay and lesbian community in Israel. “Journey of Pride" alumni are
considering support of a variety of gay, lesbian and transgender organizations and projects in
Israel, including the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa, to support diversity training
programs; Open House in Jerusalem, a gay and lesbian community center; the Israel AIDS
Task Force; and the Aguda, the Association of Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and
Transgenders in Israel.”

1997 Task Force Proposal
Thursday, February 20, 1997, the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties Board of Directors unanimously approved the
Proposal from the Gay and Lesbian Task Force created through multiple meetings in 1996.
This marks, as Al Baum wrote in a memo date February 25, 1997, “a significant beginning
towards the integration of gay and lesbian Jews into the activities and ranks of the Jewish
Community Federation.”

This Proposal, committed in Tikkun Olam to strengthening links between gay and lesbian
Jews – affiliated or not- with Judaism and with the organized Jewish communal institutions,
both in the Bay Area and nationwide, was submitted with the following abridged points in
the original language format:

I. The Need for Gays/Lesbians (G/L) to be Included in Federation planning and
actions. The Task Force in unanimous in the wish that Federation recognize gays-
and-lesbians as an identifiable group with distinct needs, and that Federation urge the
“local beneficiary agencies” (LBA’s) and national Jewish organizations to do the same.
This is the single most important felt need.

II. Measures Internal to Federation that should be taken:
There has been inadequate publicity, either in the gay or mainstream press, about the
positive measures that Federation has already taken in regard to this issue over the
years.
One easy, fast, and cost-free way of demonstrating that G/L’s are taken seriously
and included is the attendance by Federation officers and executives at specifically
G/L events.
Another important symbolic matter would be more-than-token representation of
(open) G/Ls on Federation Board of Directors, among its officers, and on its staff.
Consideration should be given to whether it would be effective to create a G/L
section of the Annual Campaign, analogous to the Young Adults Division (YAD)
and to the various professional divisions.
We would like to see a policy statement adopted by Federation Board of Directors
calling on all Jewish organizations to practice non-discrimination on grounds of
sexual orientation and inclusiveness as to sexual minorities in all activities and to
provide diversity training to theirs staff and lay leaders.

III. Measures External to Federation, but which Federation could influence The
Task Force felt that it was necessary that issues important to gay and lesbian Jews as
gays and lesbians be made familiar to Jews in general and that issues important to gay
and lesbian Jews as Jews be made familiar to gays and lesbians in general.

IV. The Need to assure that the Needs of the Gay and Lesbian Jewish community
are given serious consideration by the Planning and Allocation process of
Federation, by the grant allocation process of the Jewish Community
Endowment Fund, and by local agencies that receive Federation and
Endowment grants. The Task Force recommends that during 1997 and 1998:

Training be given to members and relevant staff of the Planning and Allocations
Committee of Federation, of all Endowment Committees that have a role in making
grants, and of other Federation standing committees where appropriate, to sensitize
them to the demographics of the served populations affecting their activities and
how to handle it.
Organize a workshop for the governing boards, the managements, and the program
staffs of all LBA’s, to give appropriate training covering the same matters.

V. The Need that Federation allocations and Endowment grants support some
Gay/Lesbian causes as such. The Task Force unanimously feels it must see some
Federation funding of G/L activities before it can expect full participation by G/L
Jews in the annual Federation campaign. The Task Force recognizes with
appreciation that Federation and the Jewish community in general have already made
significant contributions, particularly in respect to AIDS services. But the Task Force
unanimously feels that much more should be done, with respect to worthy causes
both within the Bay Area and in Israel, and that such funding must be accompanied
by appropriate publicity.
In the Bay Area: Funding for Synagogue-based programs not as grants to
synagogues per se, but as a way of funding the G/L community in general.
Additionally, funding for Non-Synagogue-Based programs and for direct
support to those few institutions in Israel that deal directly with G/L causes.
Most of the G/L Jews in the Bay Area are not members of Congregation Sha'ar
Zahav nor of any other synagogue. As with straight people, a major task of
Federation in the next ten years is to reach the unaffiliated and somewhat-alienated
gay and lesbian Jews and to retain them as Jews. The Task Force’s suggestions:
o At Congregation Sha'ar Zahav scholarship aid with outreach to make sure
that aid is available for those many children of G/L parents who cannot or
only with difficulty can afford tuition for Jewish Religious School, Summer
Camps, trips to Israel. Additionally, a no or low-interest loan to assist
acquisition and remodeling of its future home, a development grant to aid in
hiring expertise in the development of financial resources to support the
synagogue, support for the personnel, materiel or program costs of the
Religious School program.
o Mainstream Synagogue Funding could encourage and finance not-costly
outreach to G/L families for membership and participation in the
mainstream congregations. Federation could encourage Jewish Family Life
Initiative activities to include discussion of issues important to the G/L
community, including the treatment of G/L teenagers in school, special
classes for G/L prospective parents, etc.
o Encourage and fund G/L film showings at the Jewish Film Festival and
Jewish films at Framelines’s Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
o Encourage and fund a G/L week or weekend at Jewish summer camp for
adolescents.
o Encourage and fund a G/L events and special visitation periods at the
Jewish Museum.
o Support the campus Hillel’s Israel Project in reaching out to G/L students.
o Make sure that the annual Jewish Resources booklet either has a separate
G/L section or that items of special interest to G/L are clearly marked.

o There is precedent already for our Federation “adopting” a geographic area
of Israel and carrying on over a number of years a highly-regarded program
of mutually-determined assistance. Why then should San Francisco’s
Federation not “adopt” a functional area of Israeli society, dealing with G/L
concerns (including, but not limited to AIDS)? The prime candidates for
adoption would be the Society for the Protection of Personal Rights (SPPR),
which maintains hot lines and a community center, social groups, and even
lobbying on behalf of G/L rights, and KLAF, a lesbian group. Such support
might be direct, through our Amutah, through the New Israel Fund which
has a history of support of SPPR or supporting the Israeli Task Force on
AIDS. Very small amounts of money would make an enormous difference
to those organizations. And contributing to these causes would send a
strong signal of support for the diversity of community, both in Israel and in
the United States, a signal which would have an effect on G/L Jews far out
of proportion to the amount of money involved.

I. Implementation of the Gay/Lesbian Task Force Proposal The Task Force
believes that even with the enthusiastic support of Federations’s Board of Directors
and management staff, this novel program will need intensive effort to develop
detailed specific proposals, and to ensure the participation of the Task Force members,
and of the staff and Board members of Federation and of LBA’s. To this end, we urge
immediate commencement of the process to obtain staff assistance for this process
and purpose.


Peter Altman
Bill Ambrunn
Mark Battat
Chair: Al Baum
Tiela Chalmers
Paul Cohen
Laurence Colton
Julie Dorf
Maxine Epstein
Henry Hardeveldt
Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Jonathan Katz
Leslie Katz
Irwin Keller
Mark Leno
Robin Leonard
Ron Lezell
Jason Lorber
Susan Lowenberg
David Nathanson
Irene Ogus
Doug Okun
Gerald Rosenstein
Alix Sabin
Sharyn Saslfsky
Judy Schwartz
Scott Shafer
Fred Sonenberg
Howard Steiermann
Sam Tucker
Rabbi Eric Weiss

Page 38 of 39

1996 Creating a Task Force
The Gay and Lesbian Task Force, created in mid-1996 by then-President Doug Heller and
continued by his successor Alan Rothenberg, under the chairmanship of Al Baum, member
of the Federation Board of Directs and Executive Committee. The charge from the
President to Al Baum was to gather a representative sample of gay and lesbian Jews and (1)
determine their assessment of the present state of interactions between Federation and its
local beneficiary agencies on the one hand, and gay and lesbian Jews (whether affiliated or
not) on the other; and (2) propose ways of improving those interactions, for the mutual
benefit of both groups.

A first, preliminary planning meeting was held at the Jewish Community Federation offices
on May 21, 1996, with eleven in attendance out of approximately 18 men and women
invited. That led to a much larger meeting on September 10 (approximately 25 attending
out of 30 invited), of a group that sought to include people of different backgrounds and
viewpoints. Each person attending had an opportunity to make comments and suggestions.
Later Al Baum, working from detailed contemporaneous notes on the discussion, complied
Minutes which served as a first draft of a Proposal. This draft was circulated to all Task
Force members on November 5, 1996 with request for comments; Al Baum incorporated
most of the suggestions received for the improvement of the document, which became the
November 18, 1996 draft Proposal.

This draft Proposal was submitted for comment to Alan Rothenberg, Wayne Feinstein and
Phyllis Cook, and on December 12, 1996 the President and Executive Vice President met
with the Task Force to exchange views and continue on drafting the proposal to submit on
February 20, 1997.

Page 39 of 39

History of the Lay Leaders of the LGBT Alliance

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Semelhante a History of the Lay Leaders of the LGBT Alliance

Semelhante a History of the Lay Leaders of the LGBT Alliance (16)

Mais de Lisa Finkelstein

Mais de Lisa Finkelstein (20)

Último

Último (20)

History of the Lay Leaders of the LGBT Alliance