OUR PROGRAMMING
Over the course of 5 years, SMQN has hosted hundreds of programs that have engaged a community of more than 900 members, and we’re continuing to grow every day.
Shabbat Dinners
SMQN Shabbat dinners are the cornerstone of our movement. We meet once a month for a special Friday night gathering to bring in Shabbat together. It’s a time to unwind and enjoy great company, food, and conversation! Most months, we come together in the home of a community member, but once a season, we gather in a non-apartment venue so that we can welcome more guests to our table. Our in-person Shabbat dinner events are now paused due to Covid-19, but to learn about future dinners click the link below.
Arts + Culture Café
The SMQN Arts+Culture Café initiative seeks to build a space for creative expression, stimulating discussions on various topics relevant to LGBTQ and Sephardic-Mizrahi life, as well as exploration of Sephardic and Mizrahi cultures and communities. We engage in creative activities like practicing Hebrew and Arabic calligraphy, wine and paint nights, and we invite artists in our community to teach and share their creative pursuits in collaborative salons.
SMQN Bet Midrash
The SMQN Bet Midrash (house of study) is an intellectually vibrant space for our community to partake in dynamic and in-depth learning about Sephardic & Mizrahi histories, communities, and texts—all the while, allowing us to bring our full and authentic selves. Some classes are part of a learning series with a particular arc, while others are stand-alone sessions.
Shabbat Programming
Besides our flagship Shabbat dinners, SMQN offers many other Shabbat experiences that allow us to celebrate Mizrahi and Sephardic heritage and our queer identities—including Shabbat lunches, Havdalah Hangouts, egalitarian Kabbalat Shabbat services, and Shabbaton weekend retreats.
Chai & Chat
Chai (“tea” in Persian) & Chat is a monthly talk series highlighting the rich and eclectic stories of different LGBTQ+ Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. In each episode, we have a lively conversation with one of our community members about their personal, professional and leadership journeys. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and join us!
Virtual Gatherings
As we continue to fight the global Covid-19 pandemic, SMQN has adapted and shifted our programming to virtual spaces for the safety of our community. More than even before, it is imperative for SMQN to be a resource and support system for our community. Our virtual events have allowed us to engage members across the U.S. and around the world.
Allyship & Bridge Building
While the majority of our programming directly supports LGBTQ+ folks, we understand the importance of engaging allies and building partnerships with stakeholders in the broader Sephardic and Jewish community. Thus, we also host more public-facing programming—such as educational seminars on diversity and inclusivity, a support group for Sephardic and Mizrahi family members of LGBTQ+ individuals, and collaborative programs with organizations like JCC Harlem, American Sephardi Federation, and Sephardic Heritage International.
THANK YOU
We are grateful to the following organizations for their support of our work:
American Sephardi Federation (our fiscal sponsor) | UJA-Federation of New York | JCC Harlem | OneTable | Moishe House | Hakhel | COJECO