Jewish Federations warmly congratulate our colleague Nate Looney, Director of Community Safety and Belonging, for being honored with the JQ Trailblazer Award at the 2026 JQ Impact Awards.

“Our Jewish community has always believed that every person is made in the image of something greater than themselves,” Looney said. “The JQ International Trailblazer Award is a reminder that when we actually live that out, when we build communities where belonging isn’t conditional, something extraordinary happens. People show up. Fully. And that changes everything.”

Founded in 2020, the Jewish Federations’ Center for Jewish Belonging convenes, mobilizes, and empowers the Jewish community to create a culture of belonging for all Jews and our loved ones. The Center supports and amplifies the voices of Jews from underrepresented backgrounds, working to ensure that every North American Jew feels seen and valued.

Established in 2004, JQ is the premier LGBTQ+ Jewish organization in Los Angeles. JQ celebrates the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies by transforming Jewish communities and ensuring inclusion through community building, educational programs, and support and wellness services, promoting the healthy integration of LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities.