“The Swimmer”: Challenges faced by a gay Israeli athlete

Temple Emanuel’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, TEQ and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island are pleased to collaborate for the first time to bring an event to the entire community.  The two organizations are co-sponsoring a screening of the movie “The Swimmer” at the Dwares Jewish Community Center on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. Please be aware that this is a film for mature audiences.

“The Swimmer” is a 2021 Israeli movie about a gay competitive swimmer and the unique challenges gay people face in competitive sports.

TEQ is now in its third year of programming events for LGBTQ+ people and allies in the community.  It began in the winter of 2023 with a screening of the Israeli movie “Out in the Dark.”

Subsequently, the group hosted Temple Emanu-El’s first Pride Shabbat in 2023, featuring Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Scholar in Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City. Rabbi Moskowitz taught us about recognition and inclusion of people of multiple genders and sexual orientations in ancient Jewish society.

The second Pride Shabbat (2024) featured Jamie Krass, director of Youth Programs at Keshet.  Krass expanded on Rabbi Moskowitz’s teachings about inclusion and acceptance in our ancient society and told us about all of the programming for queer Jewish youth that Keshet provides.

TEQ’s goal is to create safe, welcoming, spaces in which queer Jewish people of all ages and from all movements can authentically be themselves as Jews in the community. As Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Michael Fel said “Creating a truly inclusive Jewish community requires us to intentionally create space for everyone and recognize that they are created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). When we honor the divine spark within each individual, our community truly flourishes.”

Together with the Alliance TEQ hopes to open these spaces to the entire Rhode Island Jewish Community.  Samantha Kaufman, manager of Adult Programming and Engagement at the Alliance added: “We are happy to partner with TEQ to create awareness and inclusion within our community”

Admission to this event is free, but attendees must RSVP by Friday, Jan. 10.  To respond, please email Shoshana Jacob (shosh@tep.org) or call the Temple Emanu-El office at 401-331-1616.  Please note, the office is open Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

STEVEN HOREN is the co-chair of TEQ, Temple Emanu-El’s LGBTQ+ affinity group.