The Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco to Hold the Inaugural Alvin H. Baum, Jr. Memorial Lecture on March 27

Dr. Marcy Adelman, co-founder of Openhouse and LGBTQ+ activist, will be the featured speaker

SAN FRANCISCO (March 23, 2022) – The Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco (USF) will hold the inaugural Alvin H. Baum, Jr. Memorial Lecture on Sunday, March 27, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Fromm Hall on the university campus. The inaugural lecture will be delivered by Dr. Marcy Adelman, co-founder of Openhouse and LGBTQ+ community activist. The event is free and registration is required. Live streaming is available to those who register.

The Alvin H. Baum, Jr. Memorial Lecture celebrates the legacy of LGBTQ+ Jewish social justice activist Alvin H. Baum, Jr. (1930-2021), who fought for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the Jewish community and beyond. The lecture will be given annually as a way to lift up and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ Jewish social justice activists in the Bay Area and around the world, and to inspire young people struggling against prejudice and injustice.

A lawyer, urban planner, social worker, and philanthropist, Al Baum was a prominent figure in the Jewish, civil rights, and gay communities.

“Al Baum was a changemaker,” noted USF Rabbi-in-Residence Camille Angel. “He was a kind-hearted, philanthropic giant of a man, who gave generously in ways that inspired others to give for causes and concerns near to our hearts – equality, justice and liberty. He saw to it that doors were opened for LGBTQ+ leadership within the Jewish community, and he made sure those doors stayed open. On the eve of the first anniversary of his death, we honor Al’s innumerable contributions and recognize a great social justice activist, Dr. Marcy Adelman.”

“I'm honored to be giving the inaugural Alvin H. Baum, Jr. Memorial Lecture celebrating LGBTQ+ Jewish social justice activism and the transformative work of Rabbi Camille Angel,” stated Dr. Marcy Adelman, co-founder of Openhouse. “At a time when our civil rights are once again under attack, it’s important to recognize people like Al Baum, who stepped up and took risks by coming out and committing their life’s work and resources to ensure equality for the community.”

As co-founder of Openhouse and throughout Dr. Adelman’s career, she has worked to center the voices and experiences of older LGBTQ+ adults in all aspects of life, and is a leading advocate for quality LGBTQ+ elder care and policies that safeguard equal treatment. Openhouse enables San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ+ seniors to overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing housing, direct services and community programs.

This lecture series also honors Rabbi Camille Shira Angel, the first LGBTQ+ Rabbi-in-Residence at a Catholic university in the United States. Rabbi Angel provided significant pastoral support to Mr. Baum and the late Cheryl Lazar. Their spouses, Robert Holgate and Pam David, have helped organize this lecture series in their beloveds’ and the rabbi’s honor.

About the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco

Shaping scholars and social justice activists, the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice examines Jewish culture, history, politics, philosophy, and language to better understand and strengthen marginalized communities around the globe. Rabbi Camille Shira Angel is the first LGBTQ+ rabbi to serve full-time at a Catholic University.

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world — and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit usfca.edu.