As I completed grad school in 2011 with a Master of Social Work, I vividly remember my professors urging us to choose career paths where we could enact profound change within our own communities. Their words resonated deeply with me as a young Jewish woman. I wanted to apply my…
View the originalGrowing up, I wanted to be like Queen Esther. She’s an inspiration to many little Jewish kids. She’s described as so beautiful and brave, and these inherent traits allowed her to be queen and save the Jewish people. She was an #Icon well before social media. As I’ve gotten older,…
View the originalI’d been envisioning this exact Shabbat for months, the Keshet Neshamot/Rainbow Souls Shabbaton, a name inspired by the vibrant spirit of the QJOC (queer Jews of Color) community. As the lead organizer, I had made dozens of strategic and logistical decisions, all with the hope that participants would walk away feeling…
View the originalAs a parent, we all have ups and downs and surprise turns with our children. Let me tell you the story of our fourth kid, whom we fondly refer to as #4. When #4 was nine, they abruptly stopped playing on the competitive girls’ soccer and basketball teams. My husband…
View the originalWeaving friendship bracelets. Swimming in the lake. Hiking through the tall trees. Memories that last a lifetime. Summer camp is an integral part of Jewish life for thousands of campers and staff members every summer. But LGBTQ+ campers who are isolated, excluded, or harassed by their peers don’t get to…
View the originalAh, February! A month where the air buzzes with the vibrant energy of Black History Month… and my inbox? Well, it’s bursting at the seams. As a Black Jewish professional, my heart is overjoyed seeing a sea of messages, events, and writing that celebrates and uplifts the legacy and continuous…
View the originalEight years ago, the queer disability scholar Rabbi Julia Watts Belser told me something simple yet profound, “you should not wait until you have a disabled congregant to build a ramp to your bima.” In doing so, she introduced me to a whole new framework for belonging, where it is…
View the originalI’m a Texan on the front lines fighting for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights. In my time volunteering as a clinic escort and fielding requests on abortion fund helplines, I’ve seen the dire consequences when this reproductive health care is legislated away. However, these attacks on our rights are not a…
View the originalI am thrilled to introduce you to Keshet’s new Chief Communications Officer, Thea Hillman! Thea brings extensive experience as both a writer and activist to her role at Keshet as well as an exuberant commitment to justice work. In these challenging times, I especially appreciate her combination of rigorous skills…
View the original“Going to this Shabbaton changed the way I saw myself for the better because I finally learned to love all of me.” – Rivka, New Jersey Our first LGBTQ+ and Ally Teen Shabbaton of 2024 is almost here! Since our first Shabbaton in 2012 where I was a participant, this weekend retreat…
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