ABOUT THE JQ ADVOCATES PROGRAM
JQ Advocates is a unique volunteer opportunity for our community members interested in building, strengthening, and refining their abilities to affect positive change for LGBTQ+ Jews. Through this highly specialized, cohort-style training program, graduates will be empowered to actively engage in JQ’s mission-fulfillment work through personal storytelling and public speaking around their lived experience and the importance of LGBTQ+ Jewish inclusivity. Through their service, JQ Advocates will expand the impact of JQ’s life-affirming work all while gaining capacity as educators, activists, and models of inclusivity best practices, working toward a collective vision of a world where all LGBTQ+ Jews can live safely as their holistic and authentic selves.
See below for more information about JQ Advocates Cohort 2025 starting on April 27th!
See what former graduates have said about the program!
“The JQ Advocates program has supported me in embracing my entire self with confidence. I learned storytelling tools to frame my experiences as a Jew of color in an empowering way. This program gives as much as it gives back. I’m forever grateful to be an active volunteer speaker at JQ!” – Melody, JQ Advocates Pride Cohort 2023
“This was an amazing and thorough series of sessions. [JQ] really put together a thoughtful and comprehensive program. The storytelling session…was off the charts. Definitely made me want to tell more stories.” – Mayer, JQ Advocates Pride Cohort 2023
MEET OUR TEAM OF TRAINERS
Our team of trainers includes JQ professionals and volunteers with deep knowledge of and experience with JQ’s mission & vision, personal storytelling, public speaking, and the JQ Advocates experience.
Raye Schiller
Storytelling
Raye's Bio
Raye Schiller (they/them) is a comedian and writer from New York, based in Los Angeles. Raye has been featured in the New York Post, headlined at the NY Comedy Festival, and has performed standup around the world, including London, Lisbon, Paris, and Peru. Raye hosts the popular comedy podcast “Yenta!” and boasts a devoted social media following with millions of views on their standup clips. For no good reason, Raye also has a Masters in Computer Science from Cornell University.
Ben Ginsburg
Having Challenging Conversations
Ben's Bio
Ben Ginsburg (he/him) is a Los Angeles native with a penchant for starting difficult conversations. He is the Communications Director for NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, and is also a facilitator and facilitation trainer for NewGround’s Community of Practice. Ben is passionate about innovative storytelling as a vehicle for opening up difficult conversations. He has also helped design game experiences to train teamwork and ideological discourse. Outside of his professional work, Ben is the dance captain for the LA Wranglers, a local amateur queer country western dance group.
Robin Gurse Dennis
Public Speaking
Robin's Bio
Robin Gurse Dennis (she/her) is the “B” in LGBTQ+. She learned the basics of public speaking from Toastmasters International and enhanced her ability to naturally be herself with any audience—even if she’s feeling anxious—through Lee Glickstein’s Speaking Circles International.
Committed to clear, clean, open communication that empowers all parties, Robin is a warm, dynamic facilitator of workshops and retreats. In addition to facilitating Courage and My Authentic Self at the Teen JQSA 2017 Annual Retreat & training JQ’s first Speaker’s Bureau, Robin has designed and facilitated numerous workshops for teens and young adults on goal setting, courage, and gentle time management at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Transgender Center at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.
Robin has a BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley and a Certification in Family Coaching from Resource Realizations. Currently, Robin is writing a memoir to empower adolescents to be unstoppable in the face of anxiety and fear.
Melody Razi
Graduate – JQ Advocates Cohort 2023
Melody's Bio
Melody Razi (she/her) is a Persian Jewish queer woman born and raised in Los Angeles. Melody lives with her spouse and two cats in Encino, CA. She currently works as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and has worked in the world of mental health for three years. Melody has integrated her passion for intersectionality in her work with JQ by advocating for a shift from tolerance to acceptance of LGTBQ+ individuals in the Persian-Jewish community. Melody aspires to use her experience in mental health to create space for LGBTQ+ people in addiction and mental health services.
Michelle Dennis
Public Speaking
Michelle's Bio
Michelle Dennis (she/her) has been a transgender activist in the greater Los Angeles area since 2002, creating space and pathways for transgender and gender nonbinary persons to participate effectively in all aspects of society. To this end, she has spoken at universities, colleges, and public and private organizations, and she became the first transgender member of various organizations, including serving as an Elder at her church, a Board member of the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles, and on a women’s support organization for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
She and her spouse, Robin, trained the first group of speakers for JQ International several years ago. Michelle is also a speaker for PFLG (Parent and Family/Friends of Lesbian and Gay Persons) of Los Angeles. Currently, she is a City Council appointed member of the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee of the City of Culver City, and she has been teaching since 2004 for the Public Policy Department of the UCLA Luskin Graduate School of Public Affairs.
If you’re interested in joining us in support of JQ International and LGBTQ+ Jewish liberation, then we encourage you to apply today or reach out to JQ’s Director of Community Engagement at sharrison@jqinternational.org!
FAQS
What will you learn as a JQ Advocate?
Throughout your training program, JQ Advocates will learn:
- About JQ International’s mission, vision, and work celebrating queer Jewish joy and fighting for LGBTQ+ Jewish liberation
- How to share your personal story in an impactful and meaningful way
- Public speaking skills to gain confidence and bolster the power of your voice
- Skills for navigating challenging conversations in panel discussions and life
- How to work with the JQ professional team and our partners in your role as a volunteer
What happens if I unexpectedly miss a training session?
We know that life can be unpredictable! We hope that everyone will be able to attend the sessions with their cohort members, but if you do have to miss a training session, then you’ll be able to sign up for a shorter Zoom session with the relevant trainer so you don’t miss any important info or learning!
Are there any time commitment requirements after I graduate?
Yes! As this is a volunteer role that will be deeply engaged in JQ’s mission-fulfillment work, graduates will be expected to:
- Commit to their role as a JQ Advocate for a minimum total of [1] year after graduating
- Serve at a minimal total of [6] speaking and/or civic engagements on behalf of JQ throughout that year
- Complete up to [2] of the above [6] during Pride month (June)
- Do prep and post work before and after your speaking/civic engagements
When and where you complete your required speaking and/or civic engagements has some flexibility and will depend on what requests for speakers JQ receives from our partners and community members throughout the year.
I have no experience in public speaking and/or public speaking scares me! Should I still apply?
Absolutely! You do not need to have any prior experience to become
a part of the JQ Advocates program. In fact, this is a great opportunity to gain skills and build confidence that can help you not only as a volunteer, but in your professional and personal life as well!
Will JQ be providing lunch during training for in-person cohorts?
JQ will have snacks and refreshments available for the training days in West Hollywood for cohorts taking place in-person, but members of the cohort are encouraged to either bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from one of the many options in the area.
What does the current training schedule look like?
Week 1, Intros & Training Logistics: Sunday, April 27th, 6:30pm – 8pm PT on Zoom
Week 2, Storytelling: Sunday, May 4th, 11am – 3pm, in-person (West Hollywood)
Week 3, Public Speaking: Sunday, May 11th, 11am – 3pm, in-person (West Hollywood)
Week 4, Having Challenging Conversations: Sunday, May 18th, 11am – 3pm, in-person (West Hollywood)
Week 5, Final Logistics & Graduation Prep: Thursday, May 22nd, 6:30pm – 8pm PT on Zoom
Week 6, Graduation: Wednesday, May 28th, 6pm – 10pm, in-person (Location TBD)
Trainees will also have the opportunity during the final 2 weeks of training to schedule 1-2 one-on-one practice / feedback sessions with their trainers & JQ professionals either on Zoom or in-person depending on availability and preference.
What will I be doing after I graduate?
After graduating from the program, you’ll be supporting JQ International in enacting its Learn pillar of work. This may look like:
- Representing JQ by sharing your story at religious services and community events
- Attending resource fairs on behalf of JQ
- Participating in panel discussions and interviews as a JQ representative
- Supplementing JQ’s allyship and mental health awareness trainings with personal storytelling and fielding Q&As
- Sharing information about JQ International’s mission, vision, and work to spread our visibility and expand our impact
- And more!
As a JQ Advocate, you will be one of the first people JQ calls on to represent us in front of partner organizations, professional institutions, and communities of all kinds interested in joining our organization in the fight for LGBTQ+ Jewish liberation.
Will I get paid for my time after graduating JQ Advocates training?
Being a JQ Advocate is a volunteer position within the overall JQ team, so you would not receive any monetary payment for public speaking and/or civic engagements you take on as a graduate of the program. Any honorariums or fees for service will go toward JQ International as an organization. However, JQ is invested in appreciating all of our volunteers and try to show this appreciation through gifts, discounts, special events, social media spotlights, and more!
I can’t join this cohort, but I’d love to be a part of a future JQ Advocates cohort! Is there a waitlist I can join?
Yes! Please email JQ’s Director of Community Engagement, Sidney Harrison (she/her), at sharrison@jqinternational.org so she can make sure you’re kept up to date on future cohorts.
JQ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate and strengthen queer Jewish life through community building, educational programs, and support services creating a joyful and healthy future for LGBTQ+ Jews and their loved ones.
© 2018 JQ International. All Rights Reserved.