Honoring the History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth was never something taught to me in school. I instead learned that one day slavery was abolished and that was the end of it. It was treated unceremoniously, as if the collective consciousness of our nation simply changed and enslaved Black Americans became free.  The first time I ever…

Report Back on the TX and FL Legislative Sessions

THANK YOU to those who took bold action over the past few dangerous and demanding months to share your Jewish values with your legislators, values that urge that ALL people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or any other identity, be treated with dignity by the people elected to serve them.…

Meet Keshet’s New Board Chair, Ari Kristan

We Need Each Other

It is Pride month, a time which usually fills me with joy and hope.Yet I need to be honest: right now, I am writing from an emotional place of fury. So many of us feel the devastating effects of the 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 46 states this year, with…

Beha’alotcha | Queering Chronology (Numbers 8:1 – 12:16)

This commentary was originally published as part of Bayit’s Builder’s Blog, part of an ongoing series that explores Torah through an ethic of social justice and building a world worthy of the Divine. Existing as a Black, bisexual Jew is a big deal for me. My identity informs how I…

Reflections from Seth Marnin, Keshet’s Outgoing Board Chair

When I became Keshet’s Board Chair in January 2019, that week’s parasha recounted the battles with Amalek. I predicted that during my tenure as Chair, we would surely face Amaleks, large and small. The political landscape looked grim, but none of us could imagine what the future would hold… Here…

Leave Yourself Open to Love

This Thursday evening is the start of Shavuot when  we’ll celebrate receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai and the spring harvest. Traditionally, Jewish communities will read the Book of Ruth, the story of Ruth choosing to join her mother-in-law, Naomi, and become part of the Jewish People.  Ruth’s choice to…

Meet Our Team: Rabbi Eliana Kayelle, Keshet’s Bay Area Education & Training Manager

Keshet is made up of a team of dedicated, smart, and fun individuals. Every month, we’re sitting down with one person so that you get to know them a little better! This month, we spoke with Keshet’s Bay Area Education & Training Manager, Rabbi Eliana Kayelle. Here’s what they had…

Asian and Jewish Like Me

As a transgender Asian Jew, I often joke about how lucky I am to have multiple internationally-recognized, month-long opportunities to celebrate my identities: Pride Month takes place in June, and both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month take place in May. While I find…

Honoring Chosen Family This Shavuot

A tight squeeze and warm embrace signaling unconditional love is not something I will ever take for granted. I grew up in an unstable household. The dysfunction and trauma I experienced from my family of origin, in conjunction with my community’s homophobia and transphobia, left me depressed and alone. I…