We can wait for joy to find us, or we can cultivate it in community and infect each other with radically positive vibes. Choosing joy does not mean we must ignore all that is negative; it means we get a moment to pause, to take a breath, and notice the small things we usually take for granted.

On the 29th of August, I was able to hold communal space, grounding queer and trans Jews in music and serenity. We posed questions about our current experiences of life and how we would like them to shift to be more supportive of our identities in the future. Acknowledging that our engagement with community is of our own volition, it becomes a shared responsibility to maintain brave spaces. Whether you are a child, teen, young adult, or adult, we are all deserving of sacred joyous spaces.

Keshet has been a safe haven for me since I was twelve, and being a part of the Advocacy Fellowship, I learned how to extend their sukkah of support to other community members, essentially furthering the benefit Keshet has brought me. Throughout the fellowship I met with my peers and strategized outreach, planning, and followthrough for my program. While everyone had slightly different projects and goals, we were all able to brainstorm with one another.

Mentors from various parts within Keshet staff were able to advise and guide us all in the right direction. From graphic design to writing, I had support every step of the way. I look forward to holding this program again in a different capacity to hopefully extend my impact beyond my local community.