By Barrett Holman Leak in San Diego
From a soulful, song-filled sanctuary to a sweltering but triumphant march through the streets of Hillcrest, the San Diego Jewish community came together this past weekend to celebrate JPride in full force. The multi-day celebration was a powerful testament to dignity, visibility, resilience, and the enduring strength of LGBTQ+ Jewish solidarity.
Friday evening: A vibrant Pride Shabbat
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a beautiful, collaborative Pride Shabbat service at Congregation Beth Israel San Diego that brought together clergy and community members from across the region. Leaders from Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Emanu-El (including Rabbi Emeritus Martin Lawson), and Congregation Dor Hadash shared the bimah.
The evening was filled with powerful words and music:
- Rabbi Michael Rothbaum delivered a moving, impactful message to the congregation, relating his personal experience of being an openly gay man who got to fulfill his calling to be a rabbi
- Rabbi Devorah Marcus energized the room, leading the community in uplifting song
- Jewish Federation President Heidi Gantwerk lent her voice to the occasion, singing alongside the live band from Hineini to Hatikvah, and
- Rabbi Benj Fried delivered the keynote of the evening service, noting how we are all deserving of human dignity
Betzy Lynch, the Executive Director of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-California) also attended the extended service. Afterwards, attendees gathered in the upper courtyard for a light oneg, where the energy remained high as friends old and new connected under the evening sky.
Saturday: Marching with Pride and remembering pioneers
The heat was on for the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 20. A large, enthusiastic Jewish contingent of about 60 marchers gathered at 9:30 a.m. at the assigned staging area. Despite the sweltering, humid weather—which pushed the real-feel temperature to a grueling 85 degrees—the atmosphere was electric with schmoozing and shared excitement. We even had new shirts this year! It was especially thrilling to be joined by Rabbi Michael Rothbaum and members of Congregation Dor Hadash. As with any demographic, Jews are not a monolith and we certainly had many different voices represented (politically, ethnically, theologically, etc.) within our Jewish contingent. As an African American Jewish woman who grew up with LGBTQ+ siblings, I know this diversity well.
While waiting for the kick-off, a quiet moment of reflection took hold. Smartphone memories popped up for me from the 2024 Pride march, with the blessed memory of Anita Satlof Lawson (z”l). Marchers remembered her as a beautiful, rich soul—a woman big in heart, immense in her generosity of spirit, and legendary for her skill with a challah. It was a poignant reminder of the lineage of this movement; it was her husband, Rabbi Martin (Marty) Lawson, who originally galvanized the San Diego Jewish community to start marching in Pride many years ago, recognizing early on the deep necessity for LGBTQ+ justice.
At noon, the contingent finally began the mile-and-a-half route. Having not marched in the 2025 parade because of the official Jewish community’s protest against antisemitism within the Pride organization, many in the group felt a wave of apprehension about how they would be received.
Ultimately, the reception from the crowd was overwhelmingly warm, inviting, and loud. Onlookers cheered, shouting, “I love Jewish people!” to which the contingent joyfully echoed back, “Happy Pride!”
While the usual detractors were present—including the Westboro Baptist Church wielding their megaphone to preach condemnation on behalf of Jesus of Nazareth, and a few scattered shouts of “Free Palestine” weirdly accompanied by the “Butterfly Dance”—the overwhelming narrative of the day was one of joy. Jewish Pride was on full display, unfazed by the heat or the noise.
Sunday: The big gay brunch
The historic weekend concluded on Sunday morning at Temple Emanu-El with the big gay brunch, hosting approximately 100 community members. The celebratory weekend closed out in style with a gourmet spread. We feasted on savoy made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, a classic bagel spread, spinach and cheese crepes, and morning cocktails. The community and connections were priceless throughout the hall where tables were filled with vibrant conversation, laughter, and camaraderie. Of course there was also entertainment! We were in high spirits through games of bingo (unfortunately, I did not win) and a hilarious, unforgettable performance by the one and only Aunt Shirley.
From the spiritual high of Erev Shabbat to the defiant joy of marching in the parade and the warm fellowship of community Sunday brunch, San Diego’s JPride weekend proved that the Jewish community’s commitment to LGBTQ+ justice, visibility, dignity and celebration is stronger than ever.
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Barrett Holman Leak is a freelance writer based in San Diego.