Each Spring since 1997, Queer Jewish University-level students, as well as our steadfast LGBT allies, have joined together on a chosen University campus to learn from each other for a weekend Shabbaton. 

Participating student leaders from Universities across North America began calling this annual gathering a conference of the National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students. Naturally, an abbreviation written as NUJLS followed this long-winded title, giving us the name of the conference that we still use today, NUJLS (pronounced "NuJoules" (ˈnü\jau̇(-ə)ls)).

Each year NUJLS features speakers, text study, and workshops on topics such as Judaism and queerness, activism, relationships, ethics, coming out, and politics. NUJLS provides an opportunity for student leaders from Universities across North America to build community, network, become re-engaged in Jewish life and practice Jewish forms of spirituality with a queer context.

While sharing Shabbat meals, participating in leadership workshops and hearing from galvanizing speakers, participants will be fostering in our next generation of connected and inspired LGBT Jewish leaders.

Who exactly are these graduates of NUJLS from years past? Where are these leaders today and how are they working to remove barriers into the organized Jewish community? Here are a few of our proud NUJLS Alumni and you can get to know more of our connected leaders on our facebook page:  

• Jason, NUJLS 1997 student-participant, now works at a Hillel as a Rabbi in Baltimore
• Lisa, NUJLS 1999 student-participant, now works as a Director at the San Francisco based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund  
• David, NUJLS 2001 student-participant, now leads a congregation as a Cantor in Southern California
• Alysa, NUJLS 2003 student-participant, now works as a Program Director at a synagogue in Seattle.
• Vinny, NUJLS 2006 student-participant, now works as a coordinator at a University LGBT Student Life Office in Maryland 

Participants at the 2012 NUJLS will be hosted by Hillel students on the Washington D.C. based campus of American University. Students need our greater communities help to ensure that a diverse group of GLBT Jewish student leaders attend. Please help us spread the word on your campus and in your community about NUJLS.