Twice Blessed 2.0: The Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ Initiative is a partnership between JQT Vancouver and JFS Vancouver (Jewish Family Services) that began with conversations between the two organizations in 2020 regarding diversity education and ensuring JFS supports the social, physical and emotional wellness of all people and is a welcoming and inclusive organization for the Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ community. As part of this initiative, JQT and JFS have conducted a Community Needs Assessment, and are currently rolling out our Mental Health Support Series for the JQT community. Scroll down to find out more!
The first step in this initiative was our 2022 Community Needs Assessment, made possible with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. The purpose of this self-identification survey was to understand the current needs of the Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ community. The Final Report contains: 1) Executive Summary; 2) Final Summary; and 3) Appendix
This report contains the findings from the survey collected between February 2, 2022 to March 27, 2022. In this report, data points from the 2022 survey are also compared to data points from a community needs assessment conducted by JFS in 2004 (click here to view the 2004 assessment).
The survey was distributed widely and garnered 111 responses (doubling the data from 2004). The findings in this survey reflect the needs of Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals, all of whom have different identities and varying relationships with the Jewish and LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
Click here to view the FINAL REPORT!
Results from the 2022 survey revealed a need for change on the part of Jewish community organizations, highlighting 13 Calls to Action with each one just as important as the next:
Allocate campaign funding for operational costs of providing year-round Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ programming for all ages and community outreach in both Jewish and LGBTQ2SIA+ communities.
Develop inclusive care services for Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ seniors.
Ensure that senior care home intake adequately assesses the needs of LGBTQ2SIA+ residents.
Hire local Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ agencies/consultants with the expertise in Diversity Equity Inclusion training and partner with them on programming and projects.
Adopt and breathe the concept of "Nothing about us without us".
Develop and provide funding for LGBTQ2SIA+ friendly Jewish mental health support.
Facilitate an open discussion with rabbis, synagogues and boards to adopt an "open tent" policy regarding intermarriage.
Design and provide funding and support for LGBTQ2SIA+ Jewish youth programming.
Amplify and hire Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ artists, performers, activists, etc.
Clearly state stance on LGBTQ2SIA+ rights and accessibility on organizational websites, newsletters, social media, etc.
Adopt zero-tolerance on homophobic, transphobic, and antisemitic language, teachings, policies, and practices.
Be open to those who have a spectrum of opinion on Israel/Palestine.
Develop an anonymous reporting mechanism to provide feedback without negative repercussions to the Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
The second step in this initiative is the launch of the JQT Mental Health Support Series, made possible with the support of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver and private donations.
This series was developed in partnership with JFS Vancouver, following the above community needs assessment which identified a critical service gap for the Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ population: Call to Action #6 - Develop and provide funding for LGBTQ2SIA+ friendly Jewish mental health support.
Informational workshops, resources, and creative event details will be released throughout year starting in January 2024, as they get confirmed:
Sunday, February 11, 2024 @ 1-4PM - Listen & Be Heard
Sunday, February 25, 2024 @ 1-3PM - JQT Dying & Death
Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 7-9PM - Mindfulness Clay Ritual
Monday, March 18, 2024 - Launch of JQT Temperature Check
Monday, April 15, 2024 - Launch of JQT Mental Health Toolkit
Date TBD - Cross Cultural Queer Mahjong
Check our Events Page for updates!
Finding help in Vancouver that “gets” your intersecting Jewish and queer/trans identities, so you can also work on what else is going on!
Alex Leslie, MWS, RCSW | ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Neurodivergent people, Hormone readiness assessments | CounsellingBC
Carmel Shalom, Counsellor, BSCN, RN, MCP, CCC (she, her) | Work-related stress, PTSD, identity, and grief & loss, depression, intimacy | Connect with Carmel
Lily Shalev, MA, RCC | Intersectional Identities, Immigration, Queer Parenting | Grounding Stone Healing
Sam Kaplan (they/them) | Teens & Children (one year waitlist, but collaborates on a practicum student program that offers lower cost sliding scale counselling) | Expressive Wellness
Zoey Green (she/her), MC, RCC | Individual and Relationship Counselling (2+ individuals), Anxiety, Identity Exploration, Life Transitions, Ethical Non-Monogamy, Mixed-Orientation Relationships | Evergreen Counselling
Here is a list of local Jewish mental health professionals:
