About Us

Kolenu is Seattle's Jewish LGBTQ Young Adult group. We are an inclusive community for LGBTQ Jews in Seattle. Kolenu strives to create an atmosphere where queer identified people from a wide spectrum of Jewish backgrounds can feel comfortable.

Our programming is geared towards LGBTQ Jews in their 20's and 30's, but we frequently hold events that are open to the entire community.

We are open to all expressions of identity, both in terms of Judaism and sexuality/gender. Past events include Gay 'Ol Purim Party, Light the Night: A GLBTQ Hanukkah, Shabbat Brunches, film and speakers nights, Pride Shabbat, and more.

Kolenu is run by volunteers, so please contact Alysa Rosen or Josh Furman if you would like to be involved. We can also be reached at kolenu.seattle@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

2011 Light the Night Honorees

Tomorrow evening, we will honor 5 community leaders for their advocacy, leadership and guidance in the fight for equality and rights for the GLBTQ community.



  1. Mona Smith is the immediate Past President of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Board of Directors and is its current Chair of Public Affairs leading the GSBA’s public policy advocacy on civil rights and business issues.

  2. Zach Carstensen is the Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.

  3. Norm Schwab is one of the co-founders of Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, Seattle's GLBT Chavurah since 1980.

  4. Randy Joseph was one of two founders of the Kadima Sunday School and had been active in Kadima promoting GLBT issues in the Jewish community.

  5. Julia Crouch currently works at Seattle Children's and is a co-chair of the LGBTQ affinity group for Seattle Children's staff.

Hear more about each one of these people at 7 PM tomorrow night at the Lobby Bar!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Celebrate Hanukkah with Kolenu!

3rd Annual Light the Night: A GLBTQ Hanukkah
Wednesday, December 21, 7-9 PM
The Lobby Bar

Enjoy tasty latkes, colorful dreidels, music and a beautiful candle lighting symbolizing both the miracle of Hanukkah and the idea that great leadership and community action will prevail against oppression.

Celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah as we honor community leaders who have been influential in our local fight for equality.

FREE and open to the community. Allies, friends and family welcome. Due to the location, this is a 21+ event.

RSVP through our Facebook page or through Jconnect's event page. You may also email us at kolenu.seattle@gmail.com

This event is made possible through the generous support of Jconnect Seattle, The Lobby Bar, Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Jewish Family Service, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah (CTC), The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA).

Friday, February 25, 2011

LGBTQ Purim Party on Sunday, March 20, 7 pm!

Join Kolenu for our 3rd Annual Gay ‘Ol Purim Party on March 20 at the Lobby Bar! Purim is often viewed as the Jewish coming out story, so to honor Esther's "coming out" as a Jew we're throwing the biggest LGBTQ Purim Party that Seattle has ever seen!

DJ Evalish will be on site mixing music, and the evening will feature a ton of live entertainment including incredible Queen Esther burlesque by Ms. Indigo Blue as well as the hilarious drag queen Lily Armani who was recently crowned La Femme Magnifique 2010. There will also be plenty of pink hamantaschen, drinks and dancing! $5 cover with 7 pm Doors and 8:30 pm Performances.

Don't forget that Purim is a holiday to dress up on, so come in costume cause we’re giving out some fabulous prizes!

This event is made possible through the help of Jconnect, Babeland, Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, Bashert: the LGBTQ Initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and The Lobby Bar.

Held at The Lobby Bar at 916 East Pike Street on Capitol Hill. Let us know you'll be there by emailing
kolenu.seattle@gmail.com or click "attending" on our Facebook Event Page.