By Debbie L. Sklar
Times of San Diego
SAN DIEGO — In response to San Diego Pride’s decision to keep Kehlani as a headliner despite their repeated promotion of violent, antisemitic rhetoric, all participating Jewish organizations and synagogues — many of which have supported or marched with Pride for years — are withdrawing from the 2025 event due to serious safety concerns.
That includes the current volunteer director and assistant director of medical operations, Dr. Jennifer Anger and Eliyahu Cohen-Mizrahi, both of whom are Jewish and have stepped down from their roles.
Their decision follows a public statement issued in May by The Finest Community Coalition, signed by nearly three dozen Jewish groups, urging San Diego Pride to reconsider. So far, that appeal has gone unanswered.
“My role at Pride has always been to ensure the health and safety of everyone attending, but as a Jewish San Diegan, I can no longer ignore the very real risks that come with normalizing hate speech like the kind Kehlani has promoted,” said Dr. Anger, a medical volunteer for the past two years. “It’s heartbreaking to step away, but when the Jewish community’s safety is treated as negotiable, we’re left with no choice. Pride should be a place of healing and inclusion — not one that turns its back on a community in pain.”
Kehlani’s past calls to “eradicate Zionism” and for an “Intifada Revolution” are deeply concerning. These messages aren’t just political—they’re dehumanizing. The recent terror attacks in Boulder and D.C., where the perpetrators echoed similar rhetoric, have only heightened fears among local Jewish communities.
“As a queer, a Jew, a Zionist and as someone horrified by the suffering in Gaza, I will not be participating in Pride this year — and neither should any organization that claims to be inclusive and safe for all,” said Laura Stratton, a Temple Emanu-El member and longtime Pride volunteer.
Other institutions, including NYC Pride and Cornell University, have already removed Kehlani from events over similar concerns. San Diego Pride has not. As a result, the following groups are stepping back:
Jewish Federation of San Diego
Anti-Defamation League of San Diego
Lawrence Family JCC
Temple Emanu-El of San Diego
Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Dor Hadash
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Temple Adat Shalom
“Now more than ever, Pride should be about inclusion and solidarity — not giving a platform to voices that incite hate,” said Heidi Gantwerk, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego. “We can’t afford to wait for another tragedy before taking action.”
Jewish organizations continue to urge San Diego Pride to reconsider its decision and ensure Pride remains a space where everyone feels truly safe and welcome.
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This article initially appeared in Times of San Diego, with which San Diego Jewish World has an arrangement to share articles.