L'hadlik: Lighting the Way to Queer Jewish Belonging

1. Lhadl k
Lighting the Way to Queer Jewish Belonging
Zak Lempert Draznin Emily Hoolihan
he/him
MAJNM 2022
Cincinnati, OH
she/her
MAJNM 2022 & DFSSM 2023
NYC, New York

2. L'hadlik lights the way to Queer
Jewish belonging in spiritual,
learning, and social spaces.
Mission Statement

3. L'hadlik supports Queer Jews, Queer folx, and families. There are an estimated 650,000+ Queer Jews
in the United States. An estimated 11% of today’s Jewish American population is Queer.
“No Particular Branch” is the most common denomination among Queer Jews, a population which is
less likely to have synagogue membership.
Business Thesis
L’hadlik is filling a gap in the Queer Jewish life experience - our audience has broad, relatively
accessibility and awareness from advocacy organizations (i.e. Keshet), deep learning opportunities (i.e.
SVARA) and some traditional institutional connection points (i.e. local Gay Synagogues). But what
about those in the middle? Where is the liturgy, spirituality, learning opportunities, family traditions,
and sense of belonging for twice to fifty two times a year Queer Jews?
Market Space
Interviews 45 total interviews (primarily with Queer Jews, trans folx, partners, leaders,
families, and more)

4. Kara (they/them) grew up at a small synagogue in the Midwest
before going to college on the East Coast. They returned to
their hometown for a job (with a new name), and are now
seeking the Queer-affirming spiritual space they found at Hillel
and other community spaces during college. They don't feel
comfortable at their childhood synagogue, and besides a Friday
night here or there, their Jewish engagement has dwindled
significantly.
Mollie (she/they) is a bisexual young adult from the Southeast
US. She had a Bat Mitzvah, but her family dropped off from
Jewish life when she came out. While her parents have re-
entered the Jewish community, she is having trouble picking a
space to live authentically, while still connecting to Jewishness.
Without much Jewish literacy (nothing since age 13), she is on
the hunt for a space that won't judge her for walking in the
door, and help her find her roots again.
Kara Mollie

5. HERE IS WHAT WE
DID
Learn Create
Interview Design Prototype
Research
Market Space
Case Studies of
failures in
Denver &
International
Digging into
the Data of
Pew 2020
Collecting
Community
Studies
Nov. 2021
40 Users &
Prospects
5+ Funders &
Partners
Local
Ecosystem
Research
Testing our
Value
Proposition
Business Model
Canvas
March 2022
by by
Testing
Assumptions
about User
Needs
Funding Model
Research &
Case Prep
Channels &
Activities
Design
Pilot Freemium
Business Model
May 2022
by
Consult with
Key Partners &
Activators
Assess
Activities &
Experiences
Begin Public
Awareness &
Marketing
June 2022
by
120 DAY
LAUNCH
PLAN
Sept. 2022
by

6. Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Segments
Customer Relationships
Key Resources Channels
Cost Structure Revenue Streams
Jewish NPs
Synagogues
JCCs
Innovation Orgs
[i.e. OneTable, Moishe
House]
Queer (Gay) synagogues
Service providers
(mental health!)
Safe, Queer, Jewish space
Religious/spiritual services
Defining Queer Judaism
Intersections of Queerness
and Jewishness
Market buy-in
(participants)
People! Jews!
*Area of Further
Exploration*
Access to Jewish spiritual
experiences in a
brave/safe/affirming way
Social connection with other
Queer Jews
Exploration of Jewish text
through a Queer lens &
Queer Jewish learning
Discussions and community
building not offered
anywhere else
Egalitarian learning &
personal growth
local market buy-in
major supporters, “celebrity”
involvement
in-person (e.g. local) services
minyanim - gatherings,
spiritual and learning-based
gatherings
Queer Jews!
Jewish families with
Queer members
(especially youth)
Queer young adults
who don’t belong to a
spiritual or Jewish or
both community
[not ally-centered]
space rental - hold Minyanim
Siddur / text / learning opportunity commission
Guest speakers / event leaders
Event Production and Management
National grantors - see value in umbrella model
Local grantors - see value in on the ground programming
Ind. donors - small and large - who support the work
NO cost expectation to users
More Partners??

7. Queer Jews are Craving Connection
COVID. Homophobia. Transphobia. Biphobia.
Queer Jews are fighting the battle for
connection everyday, and are craving a safe
and brave space as touchpoint, beyond one-
shot Queer Shabbats or learning opportunities.
This Model is Sustainable
We're focusing on local Federations and
Discretionary Grants from major Jewish
funders to reach our fundraising goals. We're
not going after a million dollars, but we know
that we must break down the barriers of "pay
to play" Jewish life, which by nature excludes
the Queer community.
The System isn't Reaching Everyone
There are people and organizations already doing
this work, but the model of synagogue- and
institutional-based engagement isn't reaching
isolated Queer folx of all ages. intentional,
ongoing, and authentic outreach is key.
Spirituality & Learning are Diverse
Yes, Queer people love Bars and Pride, but a lot of
us really like praying! Spiritual experiences held in
non-Queer spaces often don't consider our needs.
Learning and teaching in an affirming way is key
to customer relationships. Social Spirituality and
Jewish learning from a Queer lens, both the
"doing" and the "learning," are keys to success.

8. Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Segments
Customer Relationships
Key Resources Channels
Cost Structure Revenue Streams
Jewish NPs
Synagogues
JCCs
Innovation Orgs
[i.e. OneTable, Moishe House]
Queer (Gay) synagogues
Service providers (mental
health!)
Local small Jewish artists
and organizers
Existing Queer Jewish
infrastructure (Keshet,
SVARA, JQ)
Safe, Queer, Jewish space
Religious/spiritual services
Lay-leadership Training
Learning & Exploring in Jewish
Queer Spaces
Meaningful Jewish & Social
activities
Market buy-in (participants)
People! Jews!
Funding
Participants with many/diverse
lived experiences
lay leaders & recruiters
Feelings of Belonging
Social Spirituality
Jewish Learning, Literacy,
& Creation
Community Building
Egalitarianism
Grassroots
New Jewish Traditions
Intersectional Jewish
spiritual practice & learning
in an affirming, queer space
Communities & Co-Creation:
Facilitating connections
while inspiring ownership
and buy-in
Word of Mouth - leads to Communities CR
Long Term Engagement & Repeat Users -
leads to Co-Creation CR
Leadership training for lay-leaders -
supports the above
Social Media - website & Instagram page
Queer Jews!
Jewish families with Queer members
(especially youth)
Queer young adults who don’t
belong to a spiritual or Jewish or
both community
[not ally-centered]
Trans Jews
Queer Jewish lay-leaders
Jews from many or no
denominations
Jews seeking a Queer affirming
space in addition to their regular
synagogue or institutional
involvement
Queer Jews seeking social
connections
Programming Expenses $284,000
Staff/Personnel Expenses $117,000
Marketing/Engagement Expenses $8,500
Informal Freemium Model - no “scheduled giving” expectation and no financial
barrier to access. No cost expectation, certainly ongoing asks.
Cost for some larger/less frequent experiences, fundraising events
Local, Grassroots Fundraising through customer (donor, etc.) relationship
management, partnership events (w/ admission), giving among lay-leaders

9. Kara (they/them) is an ideal prospect for a lay-leader. L'hadlik
wants to fly them to an in-person training, building on their
Hillel experience to facilitate the welcoming, peer-based
experiences we aim to create. As a member of a small Jewish
community, Kara will build connections with college students,
young families, and Queer elders as part of L'hadlik's vision of
an intergenerational and intentional space of Jewish belonging.
Mollie (she/they) is an ideal user. She needs to be reached by an
on-ground lay leader and develop friendships (and maybe
more?!) at L'hadlik experiences. We will help her build a Jewish
practice that can be supported by other community resources
like OneTable, Moishe House, SVARA, and more. Who knows,
with this accessible touchpoint, she may go onto Peer
Leadership in L'hadlik, or elsewhere in the Jewish community.
Kara Mollie

10. Private Foundations
45.1%
Federated Contributions
24.4%
In-Kind
12.2%
Individual Contributions
9.8%
Fundraising Events
3.7%
Program Revenue
2.4%
Corporations & Sponsorships
2.4%
Programming
30.6%
Personnel
28.5%
Contingency & Research
22%
In Kind
12.2%
Operations
4.1%
Community Engagement
2.6%
Revenue
Expense

11. REVENUE
Program Revenue $10,000 Learning & Retreat Events
Private Foundations $185,000
Private Jewish Foundations, with additional opportunity
from Mental Health & Wellness and Advoacy Fields
Corporations & Sponsorships $10,000 Pride Month Events Corporate Sponsors
Federated contributions $100,000 Seed Grants from Local Jewish Federations
Individual contributions $40,000 Major Donor Lead Gifts
Fundraising events $15,000 Major Fundraising Events
Total cash revenue $360,00
Total in-kind revenue $50,000 In-Kind Use of Space from Venue Partners
Total Revenue $410,000
EXPENSES
PERSONNEL $117,000
Staff salary and wages$100,000 3 Part-Time Staff Members
Fringe benefits & payroll taxes $17,000 Generous Benefits Package for Part-Time Employees
OPERATIONS $17,000
Insurance $2,000 General Liability & Counterterrorism
Staff development $15,000 Includes Lay Leader Facilitation
PROGRAMMING $125,500
Consultant and Professional fees $25,000 Lay Leader Stipends & Training
Travel and meetings $25,000 Lay Leader & Staff Travel
Equipment $50,000 Food, Program Materials, Judaica, etc.
Office Supplies $500
Facilities $25,000 additional 150% reflected in kind
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT $10,500
Marketing $10,000 Social Media, local Jewish+ Media, Pride Sponsorships, etc.
Web/technology $500 Premium CRM, etc.
CONTINGENCY & RESEARCH $90,000
Total cash expenses $360,000
Total in-kind expenses $50,000
Total Expenses $410,000
REVENUE OVER EXPENSE $0.00
National Discretionary Funders:
$25,000 Schusterman Foundation
$25,000 Jim Joseph Foundation
$25,000 Natan
$25,000 Crown Family Philanthropy
$25,000 Nathan Cummings
$25,000 Covenant Foundation
$25,000 Lippman Kanfer
Local Pilot Funders:
$20,000 UJA - New York
$20,000 CJP - Boston
$20,000 Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
$20,000 Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
$20,000 Jewish Community Federation - San Francisco
$20,000 Greater Miami Jewish Federation
$20,000 Blue Dove Foundation - Atlanta
$20,000 William Davidson Foundation - Detroit

12. Today Goal
Short Term Mid Term Long Term
30-60 Days 90 Days 120 Days
Recruit Board of Directors &
Approve Bylaws
Hire Team
Identify Pilot Location(s)
Prototype and Develop
Spiritual/Social/Religious Experiences
Prospect Local Federated
Funders
Secure Fiscal Agent
Recruit Inaugural
Lay Leaders
Secure Local Federated
Contributions
Prospect National Funders &
Major Donors
Design Program for First
Public Experiences
Begin Formal Strategic Planning
Execute
First Experiences
Hold Kickoff
Fundraising Event
Begin Lay Leadership
Training
Secure National Funders
& Major Donors

13. Lhadl k
L’hadlik is filling a gap in the Queer Jewish life experience. We're not doing Keshet's work
on Capitol Hill, in the Boardroom, or in schools. We're not doing SVARA's work, deeply
learning and rediscovering Jewish texts and traditions from a Queer lens. Instead, we
exist for the fringe users, the Twilight People, lighting points of connection and
engagement opportunities that the existing Queer Jewish infrastructure will benefit
from.
Lighting the Way to Queer Jewish Belonging
Ner shel Hayom. Lighting the way Today.

14. Emily Hoolihan
Emily.hoolihan@huc.edu
Zak Lempert Draznin
zak.lempert@huc.edu
CONTACT US
Thank
Thank
Thank
you!
you!
you!
Our Partners, Frankie Short & Elliot Draznin
Zschool Staff & Faculty
Our Incredible Academic Cohorts
Our Professional Mentors in Cincy & NYC
Our Families & Friends here supporting us today, and everyday