About | JQ

OUR MISSION,

OUR TEAM,

OUR STORY.

Established in 2004, JQ is the premiere LGBTQ+ Jewish organization in Los Angeles. JQ celebrates the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies by transforming Jewish communities and ensuring inclusion through education, support, and identity-enrichment. From Shabbat dinners to holiday gatherings to educational panels to inclusion training for institutions, JQ’s community engagement and identity-enriching programs and support services promote the healthy integration of LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities. JQ envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ Jews feel a strong sense of self, pride, and community – a place where LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies are supported by communities that embrace their needs and celebrate their unique gifts.

Meet team JQ

Asher Gellis

Executive Director

Email: execdir@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1.323.417.2627 x2

Arya Marvazy

Managing Director

Email: amarvazy@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1.323.417.2627 x3.

Rabbi RBO

Director JQ Helpline & Inclusion Services

Email: rbat-or@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1. 323.417.2627 x4

Anna Goodman

Director of Programming

Email: agoodman@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1.323.417.2627 x5

Amanda Rykoff

Advancement Associate

Email: arykoff@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1. 323.417.2627 x7

Amanda Maddahi

Director of Finance & Strategy (CFO)

Email: amaddahi@jqinternational.org
Phone: +1. 323.417.2627 x6

JQ Board of Govenors

Vaughan Meyer

Position

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History

JQ International was founded in 2004 to provide safe-space and identity-building programs for the LGBTQ+ Jewish and ally community. Whether through peer relationships, in the home, or with respect to Jewish institutions, LGBTQ+ Jews often feel forced to choose between being queer and Jewish. As the community grew and the programming became more popular, JQ recognized a common thread emerging from the personal stories of community members: LGBTQ+ Jews felt split at the root, divided between their cultural, religious, and spiritual identities.

JQ is now the premiere LGBTQ+ Jewish organization in the greater Los Angeles area. Through transformative, dynamic, and engaging programs, JQ has established an impressive track record of innovative initiatives, services, and partnerships fostering leadership and inclusion throughout the region. JQ’s programs have impacted more than 13,000 lives in the LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish community in the past year alone.