The Consulate General of Israel has joined forces with a variety of Bay Area organizations to present a monthlong series of events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender arts and culture.

Out in Israel continues through April 29 with films, dance performance, theater, lectures, panel discussions, music and a weekend retreat for LGBT Jews, their partners and friends.

According to a consulate spokesman, this is the first time that another country has sponsored an LGBT cultural event in the United States.

Participating organizations include Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, Israel Center of the Jewish Community Federation, Israel Education Initiative, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, the LGBT Alliance of the Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Federation of the East Bay, Jewish Community Relations Council, BlueStar, Nehirim and A Wider Bridge.

Among the festival highlights are readings by Israeli novelist Yossi Avni-Levy, screenings of the films “Yossi & Jagger,” “Eyes Wide Open” and “The Secrets,” a dance-theater performance titled “4 Men, Alice, Bach and The Deer,” a concert by Yael Deckelbaum, a panel discussion on “Queer Perspectives on Jewish Spirituality and Zionism,” a play called “The Timekeepers” and a cooking demonstration by Gil Hovav.

- Chronicle Staff Report