Rabbi Joshua Lesser - Founder of SOJOURN & Rabbi Emeritus, Bet Haverim

In this episode, we hear from Rabbi Joshua Lesser, an LGBTQ+ activist and rabbi emeritus at Congregation Bet Haverim, a Reconstructionist synagogue founded by Jewish LGBTQ+ Atlantans that welcomes all Jews and their loved ones. Joshua created SOJOURN, the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity, and co-edited Torah Queeries, a weekly Torah commentary with an LGBTQ+ lens. Leading at the intersection of justice and spirituality, he is passionate about incorporating Jewish contemplative practice with a commitment to civil and human rights.

Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.

Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel) and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).

Produced by Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto), Rachel Garbus, and Sam Landis
Edited by Rachel Garbus

Podcast graphics created by Sam Landis
Photographed by Aurie Singletary. Kim Jackson is pictured outside Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Project interns: Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, and Hunter Buchheit.

Podcast Music Information:

Intro Song: “Break the Mold” by Jack Pierce

Supplemental Music from AudioJungle

The podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history-lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donate

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