JERUSALEM — Whether in San Francisco or Jerusalem, Tom Ammiano doesn’t miss a beat.
And for that matter, nor does he beat around the bush.
“First off, I want everyone to know something,” the S.F. Board of Supervisors president soberly began as he scanned the faces crowded into a third-floor room overlooking Ben Yehuda Street, mostly 20- to 30-something gay men.
After a brief pause, he unleashed, as only an openly homosexual politician who has devoted much of his life to social justice could have: “I’m single!”
Choking on their challah and hummus, the 40 or so attendees at Jerusalem Open House’s Shabbat dinner howled. For the Bay Area guests, it was classic Ammiano stand-up comedy — without the cover charge at Josie’s Cabaret and Juice Joint.
For the Israeli gay and lesbian hosts, it was a far cry from the norm — an elected official, unabashedly queer and full of kitsch?
But he was delivering remarks intended to empower, not just entertain.
“I’m always moved by the struggle — the Israeli struggle and the queer struggle. The cause is a noble one, and I’m very humbled by it.”
Traveling with the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s “Journey of Pride” contingent — 12 members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, mostly of the progressive Reform Congregation Sha’ar Zahav — Ammiano-as-diplomat called the experience a “privilege.” (Moments earlier in comic mode, he kidded about being “chosen” for a “glorified field trip.”)
That Ammiano was raised in an Italian Catholic family just gave the moonlighter comedian more fodder.
“The biggest compliment I got was [the Israelis asking], ‘He’s not Jewish?'” the former teacher recalled.
“And my biggest complaint was that no one spoke Yiddish — That was my cachet!” Ammiano continued, boasting the free-flowing vernacular he owes to his days in New York and the Jewish women in his life.
Jokes aside, the supe said he’s “really grateful I could be there and that the federation sponsored this.”
The second such queer-themed trip to Israel, the April excursion was tailored by the Israel Center and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force as part of the JCF’s Living Bridge program, which aims to create lasting personal and professional relationships between the Bay Area and Israel.
The itinerary, then, included traditional Holy Land touring — like a Dead Sea dip — with added events such as the dinner held by the Open House, Jerusalem’s queer community center, and a Yom HaAtzmaut barbecue with the Agudah, the Tel Aviv-based national LGBT rights organization.
Not surprisingly, the politician was kept busy, shmoozing with outspoken Knesset member and Meretz Party stronghold Naomi Chazan one moment and kibitzing with Michael Roee, Tel Aviv’s gay-friendly deputy mayor the next.
In between, he met scores of LGBT Israelis. Some, like the Agudah’s Shai Levy and Lior Mencher — out and active in Tel Aviv’s vibrant gay community — were practically indistinguishable from Ammiano’s own constituents.
Others, like Orael and Yael, both 16 and from the fervently religious town of Safed in the northern Galilee region, were desperately in need of advocacy programs designed for young people struggling with their sexual identity.
“We did learn through this trip that resources for queer youth are still wanting,” said Ammiano, who would like to see more funding designated for just that.
He is echoing a concern that LGBT Israeli activists have been conveying for some time, and that brought a delegation from the 25-year-old Agudah to San Francisco last October, hoping to shore up support for an American Friends of the Agudah fund-raising arm — www.geocities.com/westhollywood/stonewall/2295
During that visit, Agudah leaders and Bay Area advocates met with Ammiano, who expressed his desire to help the group meet its goals.
Seven months later, the supervisor was seeing for himself the maturing Israeli LGBT community — while recognizing its limited resources. “This trip was energizing and they got energized…As someone who has seen the birth and death of many queer organizations, the Agudah is not just a paper organization.”
And Ammiano’s travels also profoundly affected his view of Jewish issues in general. Upon returning, he publicly joined colleagues Mark Leno and Aaron Peskin — both Jews — to condemn Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval’s controversial “bar mitzvah” remark, also calling up the Anti-Defamation League to ensure the organization would follow up.
“It opens up a whole new world, when you see things up close and personal,” Ammiano explained.
Likewise, when others get up close and personal to him.
The supe said his “Journey of Pride” capper occurred after he bid farewell to his new Israeli “family,” while waiting for his flight home at Ben-Gurion Airport.
A woman who introduced herself as Minnie from Los Angeles’ Fairfax District struck up a conversation with Ammiano, and after chatting for a few, she cut to the chase: “So, are you married?”
“Well, actually,” he responded, “I’m gay.”
Minnie’s displeasure took little time to register. “Gay, shmay!” she roared. “You need a wife!”