Our trainings work.

An independent evaluator found that after a Keshet Training Institute:

• 33% reported that youth and staff have come out.
• 50% reported that staff are more likely to disrupt teasing and bullying.
• 50% saw a decrease in use of the word “gay” and other homophobic or transphobic slurs.
• More than 50% of participants organized a program or taught a class about inclusion to parents or students and 33% have done so for staff.
• 66% reported that LGBT issues are now integrated into curriculum and/or programs.
• 70% said that staff have become more open about discussing LGBT issues.
• 76% serve as a resource for others in their organization about LGBT issues.
• 85% use materials provided at the trainings.
• 96% of participants said that after the training they felt confident in their ability to teach others about inclusion, as compared to 50% who said so before the training.
• The number of organizations that display safe zone stickers increased by 100%.  

What people are saying about our trainings:

“It has been 1½ years [since the training] and people still talk about it. We got positive reviews … although we got some pushback  some of the best reviews were from Orthodox people in the school. People now ask me how to approach things in class. The kids want to talk about gay marriage and two daddies, etc. Avoidance doesn't work. The teachers want to know what to do and say.”

-Teacher, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD

“The two most significant outcomes of the Institute were the strengthening of my confidence to use the most effective language and my ability to respond effectively to resistance.”

-Staff member, BBYO

“I wanted to share a small story with you about impact from the training we did. I was at a farm store the other day and some teens who worked there were watering some plants. It was really hot out. They were talking about finals and one of them said, “Yeah that was so gay.” I stood there thinking, ‘I don’t know these kids, they're not in my school, do I need to say something?’ And then I decided to say something to them. I’m sure they thought I was crazy and I don’t know that I did it in the best way. But afterwards I thought, ‘Okay next time I will do it better.' “

-Lynne Havusha, Director of Student Services, Cohen Hillel Academy, Marblehead, MA

“I want to let you know that all the synagogues of Portland, Oregon held a joint high school program last night on the subject of bullying. We ended the evening with my giving a description of the work of Keshet and we handed them slips with the website for our teens to sign the pledge [against bullying]. My 11-year-old daughter told me afterwards that adults talk to the kids all the time about bullying – but that this program was the first time she actually ‘got it.’ “

-Rabbi Michael Cahana, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, OR

How have educators used what they learned at the training?

• Led a Rosh Hodesh group for adults in a synagogue.
• Taught a class on Jewish law.
• Facilitated an advocacy workshop for a youth group field trip to Washington, D.C.
• Incorporated lessons into a curriculum on Israel.
• Conducted an activity at Jewish multi-racial retreat.
• Led a Shavuot study session.
• Provided a training for camp staff.
• Wove material into a class on Jewish sexual ethics for teens.
• Created activities for a student leadership retreat.

Learn about the different trainings we offer.

See where we have worked.