Shabbetai Tzvi, a 16th-century Jewish mystic and rabbi, gained a significant following among Jews who believed he was the Messiah, encouraged by his supporter Nathan of Gaze.

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the country's largest gay synagogue, celebrated her 20th anniversary with a Hanukkah event attended by prominent figures like Cynthia Nixon and Christine Quinn.