This report is the first of its kind to comprehensively explore the unique experiences, challenges, and resilience of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in Jewish spaces.
“Threads of Identity” is both a love letter to LGBTQ+ Jews of Color and all the parts of who they are, as well as an offering of actionable steps for the Jewish community to honor the full spectrum of its members by creating spaces where all Jews feel like they belong and that fully embrace LGBTQ+ community members of Color.
“Threads of Identity” contains the findings of Keshet’s groundbreaking survey exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in Jewish spaces. It highlights the intersectionality of their identities—race, gender, sexuality, and religion—and how this creates both pride and significant challenges within the community. The findings reveal a complex emotional landscape where a lack of support, representation, and biases from fellow Jewish community members often lead to feelings of isolation, exclusion, and the need to compartmentalize aspects of their identity. Despite these obstacles, LGBTQ+ Jews of Color remain committed to embracing all of who they are, calling for Jewish spaces to reflect the true diversity of the community, and to be more inclusive of their unique needs.
For this report, LGBTQ+ Jews of Color refers to those who identify as both part of the LGBTQ+ community and as Jews of Color.
of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their sense of belonging in the Jewish community has been negatively impacted by situations related to their sexual orientation, gender expression, race, or ethnicity.
of respondents report struggling to find other LGBTQ+ Jews of Color or spaces where they can connect with them, while 91% prioritize fostering these connections.
of respondents reported a lack of representation and understanding of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in the Jewish community.
of respondents have encountered microaggressions or stigmatizing perceptions in Jewish spaces, with 50% reporting that these incidents occur frequently or very frequently.
of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that there are sufficient support systems or resources for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color to turn to.
of respondents feel burdened by the need to explain aspects of their sexual orientation, gender expression, race, or ethnicity.
Defining “Intersectionality,” a key component to understanding the intersecting identities of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color.
Moving beyond a binary framework, LGBTQ+ Jews of Color develop heightened self-awareness and nuanced perceptions within Jewish spaces due to the complex intersections of their identities.
Acknowledging and addressing the way LGBTQ+ Jews of Color routinely have to make certain parts of their identity “smaller” to navigate certain social settings.
Describing the inner turmoil many LGBTQ+ Jews of Color experience as they reflect on the affirming, as well as discriminatory experiences they have in Jewish communal settings.
Naming the perpetual “otherness” that many LGBTQ+ Jews of Color experience in Jewish settings, especially when lacking resources or peers who share one or more of their identities.
Calling on the community to resist defaulting to stereotypes about who looks and acts Jewish, reaffirming that there are many expressions of Judaism.
Highlighting the emotional, intellectual, and physical cost of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color being called on to educate others on their or their community’s experiences.
Regrounding the conversation by highlighting the unwavering commitment of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color to embrace their Jewish identity and participate in Jewish life despite facing discrimination and marginalization.
Based on respondents’ insights, the following recommendations offer concrete steps for supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in a truly impactful way:
Engage in self-reflection to identify any biases or assumptions you may hold about Jewish identity and the intersecting identities of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. Acknowledge how these biases shape your perceptions and interactions, and commit to actively challenging them to enhance your self-awareness and minimize harm.
LGBTQ+ Jews of Color should never be treated as curiosities or questioned about their identities in ways others are not. Curiosity is natural, but it must never come at the expense of someone’s dignity; everyone deserves to belong fully without being reduced to “otherness.”
LGBTQ+ Jews of Color often bear the burden of educating others about their identities. By taking the initiative to educate yourself and others, you help shift this responsibility, reducing their emotional labor and fostering deeper understanding.
Don’t assume you know how to be an ally to someone else. Allyship is a continuous learning process, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Take the time to listen, learn, and tailor your support to the specific needs of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color on a case-by-case basis.
Allyship means shifting the focus away from your ego and needs. The goal isn’t validation but genuinely understanding how to support LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. This begins with asking how you can best be there for them and, most importantly, listening to their needs without imposing your own.
Begin by checking in with LGBTQ+ Jews of Color to ask if there is anything specific that would be helpful to them before offering advice or solutions. Allow them to share their experiences freely, without interruption, and listen attentively, holding back your perspective, assumptions, or solutions unless explicitly invited.
Donate to and encourage funding for spaces that provide support, resources, and/or education benefiting LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. Spread the word about leaders, events, and initiatives that amplify the representation of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color.
When witnessing discrimination or harm against an LGBTQ+ Jew of Color, take in the details and remember what happened. Name the harm you saw to validate their experience and ensure it is recognized. This shifts the burden from the person experiencing harm to the community, making it easier to hold the appropriate parties accountable.
If you witness discrimination or harm, take immediate action. Whether by intervening at the moment or offering support afterward, standing up ensures those impacted feel seen, heard, and supported.
“For me, this report is more than just data. It’s a love letter — to myself at 17, to every LGBTQ+ Jew of Color who has ever felt alone, out of place or unseen. It’s a call to action, a vision for a Jewish community where we don’t just exist, but belong.”
– Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
“LGBTQ+ Jews of Color are committed to embracing their Jewish identities regardless of feelings of isolation and a lack of understanding and support from the broader Jewish community, according to a report published by the US-based LGBTQ+ Jewish organization Keshet.”
“As Keshet’s Jews of Color program manager, I hear a consistent message: There is a troubling lack of awareness, representation and understanding of our unique experiences and challenges within the broader Jewish community — particularly from those who do not share our identities or lived experiences.”
– Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
“There were no findings that specifically addressed navigating Jewish spaces at the intersection of being a Person of Color, Jewish, and LGBTQ+. Upon realizing this, another idea emerged. As Keshet’s JOC Program Manager, entrusted with creating resources and spaces that uplift, amplify, and celebrate the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, I saw an opportunity to elevate these stories.”
– Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
“If we want true inclusion, we have to ask tough questions, challenge assumptions, and build relationships that acknowledge our full, complex identities.”
– Kiyomi Kowalski, Threads of Identity participant
“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.”
– Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
“Beyond the Count told us that 80% of Jews of Color have experienced discrimination in Jewish settings, helping to frame perspectives and experiences of Jews of Color in the US. ‘Threads of Identity,’ Keshet’s survey exploring experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color is an important community resource offering insights into how some LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, specifically, navigate, persevere and thrive in Jewish spaces. Learnings from ‘Threads of Identity’ provide valuable tools to deepen understandings of the diversity among Jews of Color, and how to strengthen the many connected facets of the Jewish community.”
“‘Threads of Identity’ is a critical work that opens doors for community conversations about the dynamic interplay of belonging, identity, privilege, and oppression that Queer Jews of Color experience every single day as we live and love and labor. While the findings do bring into focus the complex challenges we face because of our racial, spiritual, gendered, and sexual identities, they also illuminate the vastness of our queer joy, cultural and racial nourishment, and the still-familiar ways we live Jewishly.”
“This report is something I never could have imagined in my lifetime. Growing up as a Black, bi-racial, gay (and out), male Jew, we lacked the language and the organized community to foster support, solidarity, and growth among LGBTQ+ Jews. ‘Threads of Identity’ lays the groundwork to ensure that our broader LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish community has a clear roadmap for accountability, care, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to building a truly inclusive and vibrant community.”
“It is so important to document the experiences of queer Jews of Color. So often, we are asked to lead with one piece of our identity — race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It is rare to be asked and allowed to show up as a full person. This first study focusing on queer Jews of Color is starting to create spaces where queer Jews of Color can do just that, and where those of us who study contemporary American Jewish life can learn about all aspects of their intersectional experiences. Much research needs to be done on the particular experience of QJOC, but this study is a vital first step.”
“This excellent, rigorous report addresses a key gap in the ecosystem by describing the needs of LGBTQ+ Jews and provides clear, compelling guidance that both aligns with existing research and points to new illuminating insights. It provides new helpful recommendations for those of us working with this community every day. Thank you!”
“This crucial report illuminates a pressing blindspot in Jewish American institutional and community life. Embodying more than one minority identity is too often an isolating experience of being treated as ‘other,’ even within one’s own affinity spaces; regularly racialized in white contexts and stigmatized in queerphobic and antisemitic contexts, many LGBTQ+ Jews of Color have been conditioned to continuously compartmentalize and monitor themselves. More than ever, today’s Jewish leaders and allies must consider what is actually needed for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color to feel comfortable — not coerced into — participating meaningfully as their full selves. Thanks to this groundbreaking project, which interweaves firsthand accounts, survey data, and accessible applications of cultural theory, we now have a tool to begin launching this necessary work.”
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