On October 19, Keshet hosted Flowers For Our People: An LGBTQ+ Jews of Color Art Showcase. Through photography by Luis Mercedes Winter, and written reflections by many, this exhibit reimagined iconic figures from Jewish texts through the lens of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, weaving together ancient stories and contemporary expressions of identity to affirm the timeless presence of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color within the Jewish community. The theme of grief was explored, taking time to honor those in our community who are no longer with us.

Here is an an excerpt, a poem by artist Natan Rahav followed by the Mourner’s Kaddish, that Natan shared that night that mark and honor the memory of our queer trans and LGBQ+ ancestors. I encourage you to check out the rest of Flowers for Our People here.

The flame that ignites justice and freedom 

We are here
O God, can you hear us
Can you see our pain and scars
Can you hear our screams and cries
This is the prayer our ancestors prayed 

May their memory be a blessing and the flame that ignites our collective fight for justice and freedom

Our ancestors were enslaved
Our ancestors were beaten and bruised
Our ancestors were silenced in more ways than one
Our ancestors looked to the heavens and called upon a higher power
Our ancestors taught us how to build community
Community that forms a fortress of power and a pillar of strength 

May their memory be a blessing and the flame that ignites our collective fight for justice and freedom 

Each day branches and flowers are cut for wreaths
Each day those wreaths are placed upon caskets
Each day those who mourn collect stones
Each day they place those stones on graves
Each day those who cry seek white cloth
Each day that white cloth becomes a wrapped cover for their loved one
Each day many are taken before their time
Each day many are silenced before they can cry for help 

May their memory be a blessing and the flame that ignites our collective fight for justice and freedom 

Each week, a candle is lit
A candle that represents our ancestors
A candle that represents our families
A candle that represents our loved ones
A candle to remember those who are one breathe away from being forgotten 

May their memory be a blessing and the flame that ignites our collective fight for justice and freedom 

Our children who won’t return home from school
Our brothers and sisters who won’t be there for the next holiday
Our cousins whose laughter is turned into tears and then silence
Our chosen family whose warmth we’ll never feel again
Our queer community, whose numbers are dwindling due to “mysterious” deaths
Our activists and community leaders whose channels have gone static and then black
Our sons and daughters who couldn’t bear it anymore and aren’t here anymore
Our mothers and fathers who were consumed by the pangs of the oppressor 

As we light this candle of remembrance
May their memory be uplifted throughout our community
May their memory be honored as we share their stories and knowledge
May their memory and dreams be fulfilled through our actions 

May their memory be a blessing and the flame that ignites our collective fight for justice and freedom  

*Art by Ayeola Omolara Kaplan,published in the Shabbat and Havdalah Guide for BIMPOC and BIMPOC LGBTQ+ Jews created by Natan Rahav.

Mourner’s Kaddish

Yitgadal veyitkadash shemey raba
be’alma divra hirutey veyamlich malhutey
behayehon uvyomeyhon uvhayey dehol beyt yisrael
b’agala uvizman kariv. Ve’imru: amen.

Let God’s name be made great and holy in the world
that was created as God willed. May God complete the
holy realm in your own lifetime, in your days, and in
the days of all the house of Israel, quickly and soon.
And say: Amen.

Yehay shemey raba mevarah
le’alam ulalmey almaya

May God’s great name be blessed, forever and as long
as worlds endure.

Yitbarah veyishtabah veyitpa’ar veyitromam
veyitnasey veyit-hadar veyitaleh veyit-halal shemey
dekudsha berih hu.  Le’ela min kol birhata
veshirata tushbehata benehemata
da’amiran be’alma. Vei’imru: amen

May it be blessed & praised & glorified & held in
honor, viewed with awe, embellished & revered; & may
the blessed name of holiness be hailed, though it be
higher than all the blessings, songs, praises, &
consolations that we utter in the world. And say: Amen.

Yehey shelama raba min shemaya vehayim aleynu
ve’al kol yisra’el. Ve’imru: amen

May Heaven grant a universal peace, and life for us,
and for all Israel. And say: Amen.

Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya’aseh shalom aleynu
ve’al kol yisrael ve’al kol yoshvey tevel. Ve’imru:
amen.

May the one who creates harmony above, make peace
for us and for all Israel, and for all who dwell on earth.
And say: Amen.

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Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity.  Stay connected by joining our email list and following us on social media.

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