Collection Info

Chutzpah (Toronto, Canada)

Span Dates: 1982-1991

Volume: unknown

Description

Collections related to Chutzpah include two separate accessions from two different sources. In 1990, Harvey Brownstone donated Chutzpah newsletters, constitution, and addresses by Svend Robinson (1990) and Ehlert Frerichs, (1990). In 1999, Johnny Abush donated flyers, newsletters, and other material related to Chutzpah.

Hist/Bio Note

Chutzpah was a Jewish organization active in Toronto from 1982-1991. It provided social and religious opportunities for Jewish gays and lesbians. Chutzpah's programming transformed from informal social meetings at homes or bars, to a highly structured and formalized organization of roughly one hundred and seventy-five members. Chutzpah formed important bonds with the mainstream Jewish community, especially the Jewish Family and Child Services and Holy Blossom Temple. Their combined efforts helped establish Jewish AIDS committees in Toronto. Chutzpah published a newsletter called “Koleynu,” Hebrew for “Our Voices.” In 1990, it hosted the World Congress of Jewish Gay and Lesbian. Over the decade, programming became increasingly religious in content, and eventually Toronto Jews formed an LGBT congregation and Chutzpah became inactive. Organizations with over 150 participants. In the following year, the Jewish congregation Keshet Shalom organized; and it supplied many of the needs of Chutzpah members.

Finding Aid

These collections are accessible through a database, but a finding aid is not available at this time.

Location

The Chutzpah collection is held the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives located in Toronto, Canada.
http://www.clga.ca/

Index Terms

Abush, Johnny,  Jewish,  Canada,  Lesbianism -- Religious aspects,  Lesbians -- Religious life,  Homosexuality -- Religious aspects -- Judaism,  International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Jews,  Toronto (Ontario, Canada),  Gays--Canada--History--20th Century--Sources,  Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Canada,  Keshet Shalom (Toronto, Canada),  Chutzpah (Toronto, Canada),