Are you:

  • Looking for a place where you can connect, create, and be yourself?
  • A San Diego teen, ages 13-18?
  • An LGBTQ+ teen, ally, or excited to be part of a welcoming community?

You’re in the right place! Pride in the Tribe at the J is a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for teens, including LGBTQ+ teens, allies, Jewish teens, and anyone who wants to be part of an inclusive community rooted in Jewish values.

Here, we build lasting friendships, explore identity, and bring Jewish values to life through inclusivity and pride. Participants gain tools to navigate bullying, homophobia, and the pressures of adolescence while finding strength, support, and joy in community. Through workshops, teen-led events, and open conversations, everyone is invited to bring their whole self, with room for diverse perspectives and personal connections to Israel, in a community that celebrates every identity and story.

This inaugural program will host various events and meet-ups, such as:

  • Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations
  • Bi-weekly meet-ups and hangouts
  • Teen-led discussions and creative projects
  • Community service and leadership opportunities
  • Safe, open space to explore identity and belonging

Reach out to Michelle Jacobson, Teen Program Coordinator, for one-on-one support, resources, or program information: michellej@lfjcc.org or call 858-362-1173.

Upcoming Events:

  

 

Mission

Mission Pride in the Tribe at the J is a safe, welcoming, and empowering space for LGBTQ+ Jewish teens and allies to build community, explore identity, and live out Jewish values with pride. Many queer Jewish teens feel they have to choose between parts of who they are. Pride in the Tribe celebrates every part of their identity, creating space for open, thoughtful, and personal exploration, including relationships to Israel. Rooted in the belief that every person is created b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God) and guided by tzedakah (doing good and standing up for one another), Pride in the Tribe invites teens to learn, create, and care together. Here we celebrate individuality, strengthen well-being, and build a community where belonging truly happens here.

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Rainbow Challah Braiding


Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Get hands-on with Pride in the Tribe at a cozy rainbow challah-braiding night for LGBTQ+ teens and allies ages 13–18. We’ll provide pre-colored dough for you to braid, twist, and design however you like. No experience needed. Take your challah home to bake and share with pride..

Price: $5

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Shabbat with Pride in the Tribe


Friday, February 20, 2026 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Join LGBTQ+ teens and allies (ages 13–18) for a Shabbat all about friends, fun, and community. Share a meal, make new connections, and spend the evening laughing, celebrating who you are, and meeting others who get it. Come for the food, stay for the friends—RSVP today!

Price: $18

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Bake the Rainbow: Hamantaschen


Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Roll, fill, and bake your own rainbow hamantaschen with Pride in the Tribe, a community for LGBTQ+ teens and allies (ages 13–18)! We’ll get creative with colorful dough, celebrate Purim, and enjoy the results together. Come bake, hang out, and make something sweet while celebrating queer joy and Jewish tradition.

Price: $5

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Pride in the Tribe Goes to Into the Woods


Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 1:45 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Join Pride in the Tribe, a community for LGBTQ+ teens and allies (ages 13–18), for a fun afternoon at the JCC as we see Into the Woods. This enchanting, thought-provoking musical weaves together beloved fairy tale characters as they chase their deepest wishes. With humor, heart, and unforgettable music, the show explores identity, choices, and what happens after dreams come true.

Price: $10

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Pride in the Tribe Goes to Into the Woods

Craft Your Identity: LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop


Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

A supportive, teen-centered workshop for ages 13–18 where learning meets creativity. Teens explore identity basics, safe coming-out strategies, and how to support friends, while discovering how Judaism affirms LGBTQ+ lives. Through hands-on activities, they design and create pronoun and pride-flag pins with Shrinky Dinks to take home, making their learning personal and tangible.

Price: Complimentary

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Food for Thought: Exploring Food Justice


Sunday, April 5, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Coastal Roots Farm
441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Join Pride in the Tribe at Coastal Roots Farm! LGBTQ+ teens and allies (ages 13–18) will explore sustainable farming, food justice, and Jewish wisdom through hands-on gardening and the “Chopped Challenge.” Together, we’ll engage in meaningful conversations about fair access to fresh food, connect with the land, and learn how regenerative practices help grow healthier communities.

Price: $15

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The Sweet Escape: A Queer Chocolate Seder


Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Celebrate Passover with Pride in the Tribe at a playful, chocolate-filled seder! We’ll remix traditional symbols using chocolate while exploring themes of liberation, coming out, and chosen family. Through creative readings, art, and reflection, teens (ages 13-18) will connect Jewish tradition to queer joy, resilience, and freedom—sweetly and meaningfully.

Price: $15

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Volunteer with Pride: Hygiene Kit Build


Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Jewish Family Service | 8804 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123

Spend Good Deeds Day with Pride in the Tribe! LGBTQ+ teens and allies ages 13–18 are invited to a hands-on community service experience at JFS, assembling hygiene kits for clients at the Safe Parking site. All materials are supplied, and donations for the kits are welcome. We’ll hear from JFS staff, tour the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Campus, and practice tikkun olam together while making a real impact.

Price: $5

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