This blog post was originally published by Jews of Color Initiative.

Your story deserves to be told! With support from the Jews of Color Initiative, Keshet invites LGBTQ+ Jews of Color to share your experiences navigating Jewish spaces and life at the intersection of being LGBTQ+, Jewish, and People of Color.

The QJOC Survey is now closed for submissions. Stay tuned and sign up for our emails to get the results as soon as they’re published.

To learn more about the survey and how it extends the research from Beyond the Count, JoCI sat down with Sage Cassell-Rosenberg, JOC Program Manager of Keshet, who is leading this survey initiative.

Q: What is the project you’re currently working on?

A: As Keshet’s JOC Program Manager, I’m honored to be part of our groundbreaking work on the first-ever pulse survey dedicated to documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color! This survey focuses on navigating Jewish spaces at the intersection of being Jewish, LGBTQ+, and a Person of Color.

Q: What inspired the creation of this survey, and what are you already hearing from LGBTQ+ Jews of Color that influenced its development?

A: Keshet has heard a consistent message from LGBTQ+ Jews of Color: there’s a general lack of awareness, representation, and understanding of our unique experiences and challenges. Many express a sense of being overlooked or misunderstood, often feeling that their stories and needs are not fully acknowledged by the larger Jewish community. 

In my earliest days at Keshet, I came across and was deeply inspired by JoCI’s insightful study, “Beyond the Count,” which beautifully shed light on the experiences of Jews of Color like never before. Yet, there was still much to learn regarding understanding the specific experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color within Jewish spaces. Recognizing this gap motivated us to create a dedicated survey to capture and amplify these voices and experiences.

Q: What have you learned about survey design through this process?

A: Through this process, I’ve learned how crucial it is to be highly intentional with the language used in survey design. It’s not just about crafting questions; it’s about ensuring that every word reflects the experiences and identities of the community we’re engaging. Language shapes how participants understand and connect with the survey, so being deliberate with your choices helps create a more inclusive and accurate reflection of their experiences. 

Q: Can you share some of the initial themes or findings from the survey?

A: What we’re finding is that many LGBTQ+ Jews of Color step into Jewish spaces with a complicated mix of excitement and trepidation. There is a deep desire to connect with the Jewish community, yet there is also significant anxiety about facing microaggressions or having to constantly defend their identity. 

This feedback underscores a critical issue: the Jewish communal system is underserving LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, and there is a pressing need for greater resources, representation, and understanding. This is not just about wanting to feel included but demanding the respect, support, representation, and celebration every community member deserves.

Q: How has the process of collecting these stories shaped your understanding of the LGBTQ+ Jews of Color community?

A: Reading through responses has been truly eye-opening. I think what has stood out to me the most is the rich and diverse tapestry of our experiences. While we all share a common identity as LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, the ways in which we connect with and navigate our Jewish spaces are just so wonderfully diverse and different. Each respondent’s journey is unique and precious, adding a rich layer to my understanding of my community and my work with LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. 

Q: What impact do you hope the responses to this survey will have on both the broader Jewish community and LGBTQ+ Jews of Color specifically?

A: I hope this survey will serve as a powerful catalyst for change for those who don’t share our identity. I aspire for the findings of this survey to be a moving invitation to truly understand and engage with the specific experiences and challenges we face as LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. I hope learning from our stories inspires folks to take meaningful, actionable steps toward creating more supportive and affirming Jewish spaces.

For LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, I hope this survey powerfully affirms that each of our stories truly matters. We all deserve to be seen, loved, and supported. Our experiences as LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, whether joyful or challenging, are worth being heard, documented, and shared. As you read through the responses, I hope you find a sense of solidarity and reassurance, knowing you are not alone and that each of our unique journeys is deeply valued.

LGBTQ+ Jews of Color: Your story matters—Click here to share yours!

This survey closes on September 22, 2024. Please share widely with your networks!