JQT is 100% volunteer run. Without these folx, we would not be able to do the work of ‘Queering’ Jewish space and ‘Jew-ifying’ queer space! Interested in getting involved? Email us!

JQT Board

SOPHIE (she/her) Board Chair Originally from Ontario, Sophie moved to Vancouver in 2017 for graduate study in mathematics at UBC, completing her PhD in 2023. She currently teaches mathematics, academic literacy, and history of science at UBC

SOPHIE (she/her)
Board Chair

Originally from Ontario, Sophie moved to Vancouver in 2017 for graduate study in mathematics at UBC, completing her PhD in 2023. She currently teaches mathematics, academic literacy, and history of science at UBC and one of its affiliate colleges. In the Vancouver Jewish community, she is regularly involved in minyan leadership and Torah teaching, and enjoys learning various Jewish dance traditions. She is also a researcher and writer for the Trans Halakha Project at SVARA Yeshiva. What Sophie values most about her work with JQT is the opportunity it provides to sit with people in our community, listen to their concerns, and engage in the difficult conversations by which we hold space for the diversity of queer Jewish experience.

CAHLIE (any pronouns) Board Chair Cal is a non-binary Patrilineal Jew with a diverse professional background spanning operations, accessibility, and the arts. With experience in optimizing processes, supporting accessibility initiatives, and

CAHLIE (any pronouns)
Board Chair

Cal is a non-binary Patrilineal Jew with a diverse professional background spanning operations, accessibility, and the arts. With experience in optimizing processes, supporting accessibility initiatives, and working in creative industries, Cal combines their skills in problem-solving and advocacy to make a meaningful impact. They are dedicated to fostering inclusion, particularly for Patrilineal Jews, and are honored to contribute their perspective to JQT.

KRISTIN (she/her) Board Treasurer Kristin has had the blessing of trying on many hats over the past few decades, but always lands somewhere in the realm of education. Her training in human geography makes her an avid traveler, both near and

KRISTIN (she/her)
Board Treasurer

Kristin has had the blessing of trying on many hats over the past few decades, but always lands somewhere in the realm of education. Her training in human geography makes her an avid traveler, both near and far in search of understanding the uniqueness of each locale. She finds great joy and fulfillment in studying Judaism and wants to support this community through her work in philanthropy.

ITAMAR (he/him) Board Secretary Itamar is co-executive director of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and has been teaching Yiddish and Jewish History in the community since 2021. Currently, he is also a sessional lecturer at the D

ITAMAR (he/him)
Board Secretary

Itamar is co-executive director of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and has been teaching Yiddish and Jewish History in the community since 2021. Currently, he is also a sessional lecturer at the Department of Central Eastern and Northern European Studies at UBC, where he teaches Yiddish language. Itamar has worked in community based adult education initiatives for the past 15 years. In Palestine and Israel, he was co-founder of This is Not an Ulpan, a grassroots, community led cooperative language school for Hebrew and Arabic based on the principles of critical pedagogy.

JQT Staff

CARMEL TANAKA (she/her)
JQT Founder & Executive Director

Carmel Tanaka is a queer neurodivergent Jewpanese woman of colour from Vancouver on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She is a community engagement professional and her leadership initiatives include: JQT Vancouver, Cross Cultural Walking Tours, and the Jewpanese Project. She was named one of Be'chol Lashon's 7 LGBTQ+ Jews of Color you should know. Learn more at: www.carmeltanaka.ca