How your community can be a safe haven for trans people
The new Administration’s dizzying attacks on transgender and nonbinary people — and youth in particular — are cruel and dangerous.* These attacks also betray our Jewish values. As Jews, we believe that every human being is created B’tzelem Elohim — in the divine image. To harm trans people is to betray the preciousness of each human being. To harm trans people is to deny the responsibility we all have for one another, Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze Bazeh.
Since the inauguration, Keshet staff members’ inboxes have been overflowing with pleas for answers and support. Jewish leaders and institutions have written to us wondering: What can we do to support our trans youth? And LGBTQ+ teens and their parents have reached out wanting to know: What are Jewish organizations doing to stand up for our existence, our dignity, and our safety? This is the work of our moment. We have the power — and the responsibility — to make our Jewish communities the safe havens that public spaces may not be. As many of our political leaders fail to protect members of our community, we must lead by example and build the just and inclusive world they refuse to create.
Jewish organizations, such as synagogues, Hebrew schools, day schools, camps, and JCCs, are private religious institutions. That means there are limits to the extent that the government can regulate your programs and policies. Your Jewish organization might be one of the only places where LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, especially youth, can find affirmation. You have a unique role to play — a unique opportunity to live out your values — in supporting our trans, nonbinary, and intersex community members when secular institutions can’t by being a safe haven for them.
Trans people have always been here and Jewish voices and leadership have always played a role in trans rights and care. As we commit to this work, we hold with us the memories of Berel-Beyle, a trans man who was fully a part of his 19th century shtetl community in Ukraine; of Leslie Feinberg, a Jewish trans writer and activist whose writing has changed so many lives; of Magnus Hirschfeld, a gay Jewish man discriminated against by the Nazi regime, who was the first person to perform gender-affirming surgeries. This fight is our inheritance.
Now is the time for action. Here is what your community can start doing today:
Join Thrive: The Jewish Coalition to Defend Trans and LGBQ+ Youth to add your organization’s voice to critical federal and state advocacy and get personalized support in navigating this political climate.
Display “Trans Jews Belong Here” signs — in your physical spaces, on your website, in your emails, and on social media.
Ensure access to gender-neutral bathrooms and publicize this in your community.
Commit to using the names and pronouns your LGBTQ+ members use for themselves.
Create policies (like anti-harassment, anti-bullying, and non-discrimination) that affirm the dignity and safety of all members.
If you have already heard from LGBTQ+ community members that your space is affirming and supportive, write an official statement sharing that these policies are not changing and that now more than ever, you publicly support your LGBTQ+ members.
Consult with Keshet’s Education & Training team about next steps for your community.
Bring Keshet’s Community Mobilization team to your community to learn about the legislative landscape locally and federally and the ways we can fight for LGBTQ+ rights, Jewishly.
Silence will harm your trans and LGBQ+ members, especially trans youth. Now is the time to make it clear: trans Jews will always belong in the Jewish community.
Over the coming weeks and months, there will be many more opportunities to take action. We look forward to doing that work together with you.
Additional resources:
___
* It is important to remember that executive orders cannot override the Constitution or become federal or state laws. We know this deluge is a tactic that is designed to shock, confuse, and terrify. While many of the policies the President is promoting will not be enforceable, we know the words themselves harm LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
RESOURCES FROM RECONSTRUCTING JUDAISM
📣 Democracy Resources
The Reconstructionist movement has, throughout its history, placed a high value on democracy in general and American democracy in particular. As the U.S. election season kicks into gear, Reconstructing Judaism has created resources to help you find new meaning in the democratic process and bolster the resilience needed to be an active citizen.
📣 Announcing Resilience Boost: Spiritual Tools for the U.S. Election Season
“Resilience Boost” is a new set of prayers, poems and weekly meditations designed for voters by Ritualwell. Drawing inspiration from Jewish teachings, this resource aims to help you maintain balance, find hope, build resilience and stay optimistic as the U.S. election nears.
The 'Resilience Boost package' includes an online event on September 11, curated resources of poetry and prayers (sent as a printable PDF) and (optional) weekly meditations for equanimity arriving to you by text or email each Friday through the election. Register here.
📣 Mel Scult Teen Prize
Calling all teens! What do you want to say about the future of Judaism? Artistic, literary and multimodal projects are welcome.
Two winners receive:
$1,000 prize
A letter from the Kaplan Center for college vitaes
The submission deadline is Oct. 30, 2024. Winners will be announced by Nov. 25, 2024. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
📣 Call for Nominations to the Tikkun Olam Commission
The Tikkun Olam Commission (TOC) is seeking nominees to fill several seats. The TOC is an advisory group designed to advance tikkun olam efforts across the Reconstructionist movement. We are focusing on racial justice. In partnership with appropriate stakeholders, we are developing resources and programs to support movement-wide engagement on racial justice.
If you are a lay leader who would like to nominate yourself for the TOC, please submit your application HERE.
To propose a nominee, any member in good standing of a Reconstructionist congregation can send an email message to Rabbi Micah Weiss (MWeiss@ReconstructingJudaism.org). In your email, please include the name of your nominee, the Reconstructionist congregation to which they belong, their contact information and some brief remarks about why you think they would make a good addition to the TOC.
Nominations may be submitted between now and Sept. 15, 2024.
Terms on the TOC begin on Jan. 1 and last for three years with the option to apply for a second term.