The St. Louis Jewish Community Center and its partners will host a Pride Shabbat picnic in honor of Pride Month on Friday, September 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, their allies, and families of all kinds are invited to the community-wide event at the J’s Day Camp Pavilion on the Staenberg Family Complex campus.

“Pride is more than just one month of celebration and parties in June.  Programming that is inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ members of our community should be happening year-round,” said Michelle Almengor, director of Early Childhood Education and Family Engagement.

Attendees are asked to bring their own dinner and blanket to enjoy picnic style. There will be ice cream and activities like, face painting, music, a photo booth, and a community art project.

Jennifer Baer, director of Family and Young Adult Engagement at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, adds that this Pride Shabbat is in keeping with Jewish values as it embraces b’tzelem elohim (we are all created in the image of God), kavod (respect) and adam yehidi nivrah (every person is uniquely beautiful).

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“We want to inspire and promote deeper lessons about self-love and that it is okay to be different,” said Baer. “It’s a powerful message to be comfortable with who we are, to love ourselves and be kind to one another.”

To RSVP for the event, visit here.

The J is proud to offer this event in partnership with the J Associates, PJ Library, Keshet and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.