Out in the World: SF Jewish, LGBTQ leaders support Ukraine at Seder
ebar.comSan Francisco's LGBTQ Jewish community spoke out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and denounced the rash of anti-transgender legislation sweeping the United States at the recent Freedom Seder.The Jewish Community Relations Council's 26th annual Freedom Seder took place April 4.More than 200 people attended the in-person sold-out event to support the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco Dmytro Kushneruk at Grace Cathedral in Nob Hill.
Kushneruk was a guest at the Seder and was seated next to gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is Jewish and of Eastern European descent, including Ukrainian.
An additional 30 people attended the event virtually.LGBTQ Jewish speakers also spoke out against anti-trans legislation in Alabama and Arkansas and in support of activists fighting against similar bills across the nation.Atrocities uncovered in UkraineAddressing the audience, Kushneruk described the atrocities uncovered in Ukraine in Russian-occupied towns that are making headlines.
The Odesa native equated the Russian invasion with World War II, calling what Russian soldiers did "execution and elimination of Ukrainians."Odesa, a port city and one of the hubs for Ukrainians fleeing to Europe, suffered two Russian missile attacks launched from the Black Sea targeting critical infrastructure April 3.
