I believe every person deserves to feel affirmed and celebrated in their Jewish identity, not regardless of their differences, but precisely because of them.
My Story
Judaism was always an important part of my life, but I did not always know if there was space for me in Jewish community. Around the time I became Bat Mitzvah I discovered my queerness, and with it the knowledge that I would not be accepted as my full self in my synagogue. At that time, seeking only tolerance and acceptance in my Jewish community, I could not even imagine the possibility of affirmation and celebration.
I left Judaism for many years. I explored who I was first as a queer person, and then as a trans person. I studied poetry, went to writers' retreats and conventions, and I read many books. It was trans theory which ultimately brought me back to Judaism. Trans theory focuses on what it means to explore the depths of your soul, independent of your external self, and then find ways to reflect your soul in an outward manner. I knew I had to reconnect to my Jewish soul and find a way to integrate it in my everyday life.
I researched Jewish feminism, and Jewish trans theory and theology. I discovered ancient gender systems which reject binary gender, and complex legal code which intentionally creates space for all individuals. I realized the most important tenets of Judaism: love your neighbor as yourself, everyone is made in the image of God, and humans are not meant to be alone.
I bring all my selves to my identity as a rabbi: my queer self, my trans self, my feminist self, my poet self, my dreamer self, my sensitive self, my Jewish self. I believe vulnerability is a gift to be shared as a core form of human connection. I believe creative expression can be a spiritual experience. And I believe every person deserves to feel affirmed and celebrated in their Jewish identity, not regardless of their differences, but precisely because of them.
