Reflections on Pride

BY ALISON KEANE AND SAMANTHA WHITE

Pride Month is currently celebrated each year during the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and other events. Several Jewish organizations came together to sponsor a number of Pride events include a float in the annual Pride Parade on June 4. We invited two leaders in Jewish Buffalo to reflect on their experiences.

Alison Keane: As I reflect on this busy year in our Jewish community, LIFE & LEGACY® events, wonderful gatherings in Florida, and new rabbis at Temple Beth Tzedek and Temple Beth Zion, coming together for the first Jewish Buffalo float in the Pride Parade on June 4 was perhaps the most meaningful.

I had the privilege to ride in the pick-up truck that pulled the float. The owner of the truck and trailer, John, never imagined he would be driving in a Pride parade. I called him a “mensch” and explained to him the meaning.

The crowd was young, old, people of color, LGBTQ+, straight, etc. It was electrifying: a thing of beauty. Along the parade route people were screaming, “Queen Esther, Queen Esther,” as Hava Nagila blared on our speaker. We showcased a banner with a QR code that allowed parade goers to research more about Queen Esther and our efforts to support Pride in Buffalo. It’s more important now than ever, that we as a Jewish community show our support to other marginalized groups. Beautiful Queen Esther’s blue sparkly stars on her crown flashed in the sunlight. It brought me back to a childhood memory of my Bubby who bravely screwed on her star of David earrings every morning, living as the only Jewish family in a small rural town in Central New York.

Jewish Buffalo came together to support LGBTQ+ rights just like the Western New York Community has supported us in times of need. It was one step toward healing the growing antisemitism in our world. I was proud to be part of such an incredible community. Thank you, Jewish Buffalo!

PS: Our driver John can’t wait to drive our Jewish Buffalo float next year!

Samantha White: The teaching of Hillel, a prominent Jewish sage, reminds us of the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. His famous quote, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow,” encourages us to embody empathy in our interactions with others. By putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we can gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and challenges, fostering a more harmonious society. One key aspect of understanding others is the notion of community. By actively participating in community events and initiatives, Jewish Buffalo exemplifies the power of coming together. At our community Hanukkah party, we received t-shirts that said “choose to understand,” encapsulating our hopes for both others and ourselves to strive for empathy and solidarity across cultures.

Jewish Buffalo’s support and involvement in recent Pride events demonstrate our dedication to inclusivity and acceptance. By standing alongside the LGBTQ+ community, we showcase the interconnectedness of different groups and fight against discrimination on multiple fronts. Sharing our culture through the story of Queen Esther during Purim, which has evolved into a “coming out day” within the Jewish LGBTQ+ Community, highlights the intersectionality of identities and the power of representation.

By understanding others, we can dismantle the walls of hate and intolerance that fuel antisemitism and discrimination. When we choose to see the world through someone else’s eyes, we open ourselves up to a deeper appreciation of their experiences, struggles, and triumphs. This empathy is the foundation upon which a more inclusive society can be built.

The fight against hate and antisemitism requires collective action. We must stand together, celebrating our differences and supporting one another. Jewish Buffalo’s dedication to understanding others serves as an inspiring model for communities worldwide.

Alison Keane is Vice President of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and chairs the LIFE & LEGACY® at Buffalo program.

Samantha White is a board member of Temple Beth Zion and its Sisterhood, chairs TBZ's Social Action committee, is a member of the Federation JCRC Racial Justice Sub-Committee, and the 5/14 Survivors Fund Steering Committee.