Gila Münster, Toronto’s premiere Jewish drag queen entertainer, has teamed up with singer-songwriter Yan Simon and professional actress Sarah Freia on the 6th annual “8 Gays of Channukah” queer Jewish event. Between them, they represent Canadian and Israeli Sephardi, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi Jewish identities across the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Gila, Yan, and Sarah were inspired by the historical tale of Channukah, in which a small Jewish minority held on to their identity and pushed back against oppression. This event is an opportunity for the three queer Jewish artists to share their stories directly with their community in an honest storytelling presentation that hopes to inspire empathy and understanding.

Gila, Yan and Sarah have collaborated on “8 Gays of Channukah - The Musical,” a full-length musical comedy special focused on queer Jewish storytelling. The “8 Gays of Channukah” has been Toronto’s marquee queer Jewish event since 2019, selling out annually and receiving special attention from media and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. This year’s show features all-original songs by the trio, as well as eight belly-busting and heart-wrenching personal tales to celebrate the eight days of Channukah. Themes explored in the show include making sense of intersectional identities, families dealing with their children’s queerness, the challenges of immigration, and more. The show is for ages 16+, and welcomes people of all walks of life, including allies to the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Jewish communities.