LGBTQ Mission Blog

Follow members of PDX's LGBTQ community on their historic mission to Israel

Jewish members of the LGBTQ community from across the United States embarked on the groundbreaking See Israel with Pride mission on May 26. The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland organized a Portland delegation with Ted Nelson chairing the Portland Organizing Committee. Of the 100 mission participants from around the country, Portland’s delegation of seven was a substantial part of the group. You can read more about their journey in this profile from Oregon Jewish Life.

Our delegates included Ted Nelson of Congregation Beth Israel; Beth Milliner and Liza Milliner of Congregation Neveh Shalom; Sandra Simon and Amy Page of Cedar Sinai Park; and Carmella Ettinger and Ruth Thomas of Havurah Shalom.

READ THEIR PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON THIS HISTORIC MISSION BELOW

Shalom Israel

by Beth Milliner

Our arrival in Israel was better than I had expected. Welcomed by a quiet and relaxed airport, a lovely "Shalom, Welcome to Israel" sign along with a huge mezuzah at the airport. Greeter (white haired lady with a warm smile and more energy than she knows what to do with...…

Travel Day

Today, seven members of our Jewish community begin the transformational journey as part of the national Jewish Federation LGBTQ Mission to Israel.  Our proud Portland delegation will marvel at Jerusalem’s Old City one day and be dazzled by Tel Aviv’s beaches the next.  They will meet w…