Several years ago, we posted an image for National Coming Out Day of a figure bursting through a door along with words from the 18th century Hasidic master, Rabbi Zusha:

When I get to heaven, God is not going to ask me ‘Why weren’t you more like Moses?’ or ‘Why weren’t you more like King David?’ God will ask, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you more like Zusha?’

Every year since then, people have asked us to share it again.

As I enter my final week as Keshet’s CEO, I find myself returning to these words. How extraordinary that the words of a rabbi living in a Ukrainian village over 200 years ago should resonate so deeply for LGBTQ+ Jews today. At Keshet, we have always looked to our history and tradition as Jews to anchor and animate our work. Reb Zusha’s words capture the essence of Keshet’s vision: a Jewish community and world where each one of us can be our truest, most powerful self.

Courtesy of The Keith Haring Foundation

When I began building Keshet on September 10, 2001, I was 28, full of excitement and ideas — and had little understanding of what it meant to lead an organization, no less as a professional queer Jew! I am so thankful to the many advisors, mentors, donors, and leaders who took a chance on me and on Keshet. 

Looking back, I am amazed by how dramatically the landscape has shifted since then for LGBTQ+ people, both in the Jewish community and the broader world: Gender and Sexuality Alliances in Jewish high schools, marriage equality across the nation, openly queer and trans rabbis, and so much more. Twenty-four years ago, all of this felt unattainable, even unimaginable.

And yet, these hard-won gains — and many more — are under severe threat. In these cruel times, we see a surge in attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly on the safety and dignity of trans kids. So while aspects of our progress may be dramatic, the work is also markedly far from over.

As I shared in my remarks at the Boston gala in May, those of you who have known me for a long time may remember that about 15 years ago, I started saying that there would come a day when Keshet would no longer need to exist. Because the world would have changed so much. And I was sure that day would come before I would leave Keshet! Well, I was wrong about that. But I still believe we will get there. Each of you will get us there. Because Keshet is so much bigger than me. Keshet is each one of us and so many thousands and thousands more.

I am thrilled that Jaimie Krass will become the new President and CEO of Keshet on August 1, immediately following my last day on July 31. Together with our phenomenal staff and Board of Directors, I know that Jaimie will take Keshet to new heights; heights we cannot even imagine today. And all of that will be possible because of you. Thanks to your commitment, courage, and conviction, Keshet will continue to thrive and transform our world.

I am so grateful that you have been part of this journey with me. My heart will always be in this work and with you. To new journeys and new beginnings!