The JQ Impact Awards of 2025 was a grand celebration of LGBTQ+ Jews and allies, carrying on a legacy of recognizing those committed to inclusivity. We transformed Sinai Temple into a red carpet experience, welcoming nearly 200 longtime allies, new friends, and leaders across Los Angeles.
Together, we looked backwards and forwards, recognizing our wins and calling upon our community to join us in shaping a more inclusive, more accepting future. Here are the highlights:
🏆 Honoring the people behind the work
The big moment: presenting the JQ Impact Awards. We recognized three leaders who are significantly shaping and shifting the LGBTQ+ Jewish landscape:
→ Adena Smith, financial advisor, JQ board member, and mother of a queer son. She was recognized with the Ally Award for her lifelong commitment to showing up for communities and causes.
→ Henry Platt, a musician extraordinaire, mental health advocate, and champion of LGBTQ+ Jewish inclusion. He was recognized with the Trailblazer Award for his advocacy work.
→ LJ Small, a trans teen and LGBTQ+ leader. He was recognized with the Leadership Award for inspiring his peers to listen and learn beyond their echo chambers.
LJ, during his acceptance speech, encouraged people to step outside of their comfort zones and into unease, giving them space to get comfortable being uncomfortable and shape it into a love for all humanity.
“I thought people had a default setting of disliking the queer community. What I learned instead is the issue often lies in people surrounding themselves within their comfort zones,” he said. “Most people are simply unexposed to the queer community because they choose to avoid it, and the queer community chooses to avoid them, fearing unacceptance.”
LJ continued, “Safe spaces like JQ should be used as a pillow and not a shield. We should use them to build ourselves up, not to isolate ourselves from people that we find different. I understand that putting yourself out there is scary, and that is because a lot of times we are met, or meet others, with hostility. Imagine how united our world would be if we prioritized Kehillah, community, instead of isolation.”
✊ Partnering with LA vs Hate
Metro Field Deputy Mandy Laflen, on behalf of 3rd District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, spoke about our education and community-building work with LA vs Hate, an organization that supports LA residents in reporting and resisting hate. She also presented JQ with a congratulatory scroll, signed on behalf of LA County, in recognition of our efforts to support LGBTQ+ Jews.
🏳️🌈 Uniting in Support and Celebration
In addition to recognizing and celebrating leaders, JQ held space to voice the challenges of 2025.
Antisemitism. Queerphobia.
With queer Jews under incredible and increasing pressure, Samantha Eisenberg of JQ emphasized the importance of individual donors making regular, annual contributions. She called upon the audience to help JQ by 1) fundraising during Pride month, 2) opening up their homes for JQ events and sharing their professional networks, and 3) making a gift.Samatha said JQ practices “big tent Judaism.” Where all are welcome to come and be Jewish on their own terms. To bring more people into their tent, they need support, she said.
“Judaism is big enough for a transgender convert like me,” Samantha said. “Judaism is big enough for our different cultures, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Persian, Ashkenazi. Judaism is big enough for gay, queer, bisexual, lesbian people. Judaism is big enough for us to integrate our identities into something unique and beautiful.”
🔮 Looking Ahead
Our community is continuing to celebrate — and gear up for the road ahead. Because the struggles of the day will become the history that shapes an inclusive, more loving tomorrow.
We are building up our efforts so we can remain a home for those who’ve been squeezed out of too many spaces. A place where people are seen and celebrated for who they are.
