ahavat
olam
Jay Michaelson writes and speaks frequently on the subject of Judaism and sexual orientation. Drawing on his own story, as well as his background in halacha, Bible, and Jewish mysticism, Jay's classes, writings, and public appearances generally combine searing personal honesty with textual erudition and argument. He is presently a member of several spiritual and advocacy groups in the GLBT community, including Pride in the Pulpit, the Gay Spirit Culture Project, the extended community of Easton Mountain, and Nehirim: A Spiritual Initiative for GLBT Jews, which he directs. Jay is a frequent speaker at the New York GLBT Center's "Out and Faithful" series, and has led spiritual practice for GLBT groups at Wesleyan University, the JCC of Manhattan, the Garrison Institute, Ken Page's Spirituality and Intimacy Retreats, and many other institutions and programs.
Below are some of Jay's writings on the subject of sexuality and religion, together with
links to resources elsewhere on the web.
Nehirim:
A Spiritual Initiative for GLBT Jews: Founded and directed by Jay
Michaelson, Nehirim is devoted to creating spiritual programming and community for GLBT
Jews. At our annual retreats, monthly theology salons, and special events such as Spring
2004's "Queer Spiritual Valentines: Poetry from the GLBT Mystical Tradition," Nehirim
creates unique spiritual programming devoted to an authentic queer Jewish spirituality.
The Nehirim Resources Index:
Links to a wide variety of online Jewish, GLBT, and general Queer Spiritual resources.
Also includes a recommended reading list.
Ahavat
olam:
Speech given at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America on Conservative
Judaism and sexual orientation. "The speech focuses on my own suffering
in the closet, and argues that the Jewish God could not possibly create
gay people only to subject them to the repression of the closet."
A
response to the Roth tshuvah: Long,
legal response to the leading opinion in the conservative movement that
forbids homosexual activity.
Da'at:
Essay on the homoerotics of learning, teaching, and knowledge, published in August, 2004, in Mentsh: On Being Queer and Jewish.
How can you be gay and Jewish? : Starting from square one: How to be both out and proud, and religiously Jewish.
Hasidism and Homoeroticism : What homoeroticism in the Hasidic community does and
doesn't tell us about toleration and repression.
Wrestling with Steve Greenberg : A dialogue between Jay Michaelson and Rabbi Steve
Greenberg, noted gay Orthodox rabbi, together with a discussion of his book, Wrestling
with God and Men.
Thirteen
principles of queering Jewish theology: Work in progress addressing
what questions a queer Jewish theology should ask, based on Maimonides'
thirteen principles of the faith.
Sacred Sexuality: Promises and Perils : Sacred sexuality lies at the heart of many mystical traditions, and is central to the emerging gay spirituality that is slowly finding its voice today. What are some of its potentials, and potential pitfalls?
(From White Crane, fall 2004. Partial excerpt available online.)
A Watershed Year for Gays of Faith : Article in the Forward newspaper about
changes in gay religious and political life in 2003.
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