Queer Shabbaton Amsterdam is an annual weekend for queer Jews and offersa unique forum for discussion and meeting people from all over the world.Don’t miss out!

Last year I organized the first Queer Shabbaton Amsterdam, which was a hugesuccess. People came from all over the world (The USA, Europe, Israel, SouthAfrica, Australia) to make this weekend an unforgettable experience. We gotcovered by the world press and the reactions of participants afterwards weremore than overwhelming. Nevertheless, I promised myself that the next yearwould be even better. And trust me, it will.

This year we have amazing line-up of speakers and performers. The great AnnPelligrini (NYU) will speak on Jewish forms of and influences on gay camp.Think diva’s like Sandra Bernard and the six-time-widowed Rebbetzin Gross,the latter will do her famous Tish at the Shabbaton. Flaunt it, honey! NatanMeir will give a workshop on male same-sex desire in Yiddish literature andpoetry, while Amichai Lau-Lavie will indulge the participants of the Shabbatonin an overwhelming performance workshop. And there is so much more; fromTorah and Talmud to Camp, from History to Arts, from Performance to Politics.

More than last year, the focus will be on socializing and meeting people.Through professionally-led consciousness raising workshops and storytellingworkshops we will share our stories and (re-) define ourselves and our desires.And through dinners, brunches and social hang-outs you’ll meet nice Jewishgrrrzls and boyz from all over Europe, the States and Israel.

Queer Shabbaton Amsterdam will take place from Friday the 4th till Sundaythe 6th of August 2006. Amsterdam Gay Pride will take place on that Saturdayand the Shabbaton offers a great framework to watch or even participate inthis event. The Queer Shabbaton will be held in one of Amsterdam’s oldestsynagogues, the Uilenburger Synagogue. Free hospitality housing for participantsof the Shabbaton will be arranged.

Register now and I hope to welcome you on Friday the 4th of August.

Warmly,

Gideon Querido van Frank,
President Queer Shabbaton Amsterdam

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.    -- Psalm 118 To reclaim cultural traditions without getting bogged down in the mire of traditionalconstraints, to attack stereotypes without falling prey to their binary oppositions,to chart new topographies for manliness and womanliness, willsurely demand genuine heroism.    -- King-Kok Cheung

Queer Shabbaton Amsterdam in the Press: Het Parool (5 Aug., 2005) NIW (29 July, 2005) NIW (13 Aug., 2005)