2015 marks an important anniversary for the World Congress (WC) of GLBT Jews: Keshet Ga’avah. It was in 1975, 40 years ago, that several lesbian and gay Jewish organizations from the U.S. and from Israel came together to inaugurate the First International Conference of Gay Jews, and it was in 1980 that the World Congress was formally established to fight homophobia and anti-Semitism around the world.

In 2015, the World Congress held its annual board meeting in Tel Aviv, elected a new president from Paris, Frank Giaoui, welcomed new member organizations in Ann Arbor and in Italy, and made plans to simplify its bylaws and coordinate its activities with other organizations to make a more lasting impact.

President-elect Giaoui will speak spoke at Bet Mishpachah in Washington, DC, on November 6, 2015. During a visit in July to Beth Chayim Chadashim, in Los Angeles, California, Giaoui stated: “Our member organizations are stronger when they act together. I envision the World Congress as a lever through which member organizations launch their own ambitious initiatives and call for others’ support worldwide.”

Serafino Fiammelli, spokesperson for the new Italian group Magen David Keshet Italia, said simply: “For us it is critical to be part of the World Congress, as it builds our credibility when we introduce our group.”

The World Congress invites you to save the date of Friday, April 7, 2016, and join us at our annual Board meeting, which will be hosted by Bet Mishpachah in Washington, DC. Anyone interested in helping to plan events is invited to contact Barbara Goldberg, at vp