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Dear Friend,
No one should have to move across the country just to be who they are. But when anti-trans policies started coming to Florida, that’s exactly what I had to do. Five years ago, after experiencing harassment in public, I knew I couldn’t safely stay in the place where I’d grown up if I wanted to transition. I felt depressed, afraid, and like I would never thrive where I was.
Thanks to money I had the privilege to save over the years, along with assistance from my Jewish community—including my rabbi, who was a longtime supporter of Keshet—I was able to move to a blue state with transgender protections and a climate of acceptance. My depression and fear were replaced by the joy of discovering who I would become when I was simply allowed to be myself.
A year ago, in response to the massive forced migration of trans and other LGBTQ+ people from dangerous U.S. states to safer ones, Keshet and the Hebrew Free Loan Society developed an innovative solution: Move to Thrive, an interest-free loan program offering up to $10,000 to people who are relocating for safety.
Like James, a Move to Thrive loan recipient who moved to Minnesota with his husband:
"Life in Texas was more terrifying and exhausting day by day. The school district where I taught was enforcing proposed bills around trans kids before they even passed. Move to Thrive helped my spouse and I cover...all the fees associated with moving over 900 miles away from everyone we’ve ever known. Now I’m teaching here and I can fully, safely, authentically be who I am.”
One year later, Move to Thrive has provided so many the ability to take the same steps James and I did towards freedom and joy. More than $228,000 in loans have been disbursed, enabling 51 people to move to states in which they can live more safely and thrive as their full selves.
If you know someone who could benefit from a Move to Thrive interest-free loan, please spread the word and encourage them to apply!
Thank you for being a part of the Keshet community that makes programs like Move to Thrive possible. Read our May newsletter for more about our life-saving, life-changing work.
In strength,
Ezra Stanley
Communications Manager
he/him
FEATURED
June is Pride Month! We're so excited to celebrate our LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities in community with you at Pride Shabbats, marching together in Pride parades, and taking action to advance LGBTQ+ rights!
Check out our Pride resources to find rituals and blessings to enhance your Pride events, discover ways to take action, and access signs and stickers to show off your LGBTQ+ Jewish Pride!
Keep an eye on our Keshet calendar to see all the Pride events Keshet staff are planning and attending this June. We'd love to see you there!
The LGBTQ+ Origin Story of Debbie Friedman’s Mi Shebeirach by Eli Lurie Sobel
What Does It Mean to Truly Be Free by Eliana Rubin
Trans Visibility Is a Gift by Ben Greene
TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET
Jewish organizations are invited to join Thrive: The Jewish Coalition to Protect Trans and LGBQ+ Youth. Together with our coalition partners, we are stopping anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in its tracks and protecting the lives and dignity of our transgender, nonbinary, and intersex youth. Now is a great time to join an upcoming meeting to prepare for the 2026 legislative sessions in your state. Our next meeting is TODAY, Wednesday, May 6, 3pm ET. Learn more about Thrive and join the movement.
Texas Jews for LGBTQ+ Rights. Join us for a conversation with Rachel Gollay, Keshet Southwest Community Mobilization Manager, about what’s happening across our state and how new laws are impacting our LGBTQ+ community. Blake Ziegler from RAC-TX will debrief the campaign against SB 11 (which allows prayer in public schools) and the fight against the new state curriculum. We will also share a timely opportunity to act on our values and advocate together! Monday, May 18, 5:30pm CT. Register
Texas and Florida: Decorate Your Walkways! In response to state directives to ban symbols of LGBTQ+ pride, Keshet is giving away free rainbow chalk kits in target states. If you're in Texas or Florida, you can request a chalk kit from us. Join us in spreading messages of love, unity, and support for our LGBTQ+ community.
LEARN WITH KESHET
Shivyon: Keshet’s Equality Project is a year-long training and consultation program to help Jewish institutions become communities of LGBTQ+ belonging. It’s more important than ever that your Jewish community is ready to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ members. Bring Shivyon to your community! Email H. Henschel to learn more.
We are currently accepting applications for the following cohorts:
New England Cohort. Open to Jewish organizations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Maine. Launches Wednesday, August 12. Learn more and apply
Los Angeles Cohort. In partnership with JQ International. Open to Jewish day schools and supplemental Jewish schools in the greater Los Angeles area. Launches Wednesday, September 2. Learn more and apply
- South Palm Beach County Cohort. Open to Jewish organizations in South Palm Beach County, Florida. Launches Monday, October 19. Application form opens soon! Contact Tracey Labgold for more information or if you're interested.
Keshet's Online Community of Practice for Jewish Educators. Join a community of Jewish educators and get resources and training to help expand your capacity to be LGBTQ+ affirming in your classroom. Together, we're creating a supportive online community where Keshet experts and partners provide learning opportunities and new resources, all while advancing our work towards LGBTQ+ belonging. Sign up for free to get updates.
- Preparing to Celebrate Pride in Jewish Communities as Educators. In this Keshet Community of Practice session, join Keshet and other Jewish educators as we discuss Pride. How can we use this opportunity to uplift joy, resilience, and visibility? We'll also discuss practical tools for the role you can play in helping your communities show up with purpose, whether celebrating locally or walking in Pride with intention and care. TODAY! Wednesday, May 6, 6pm ET. Register
Summer Camp Trainings. Summer camp season is approaching faster than you think! Keshet is delighted to help overnight and day camps prepare to nurture campers and staff of all genders and orientations by building cultures of belonging. As summer approaches, now is the time to book Keshet sessions, such as:
- In-person all-staff training during Orientation Week
- Consultation on specific questions related to camp policies, culture, staff onboarding, affirming housing, communications, and more
- Online and in-person trainings or workshops for year-round or leadership staff prior to the summer
Request a training here, or reach out to us at education@keshetonline.org to discuss which offering/s are right for your camp.
Request a Training, Speaker, or Advocacy Event. Bring Keshet to your community! We can host a training or advocacy event to teach you how to take action, or you can request a speaker for an upcoming LGBTQ+ event in your congregation. As we prepare for Pride Month, our trainers and speakers will book up fast, so start planning for June now! Learn more
KESHET EVENTS
NYC Youth Picnic. Take a break and come picnic with Keshet! LGBTQ+ Jewish young adults, 18-24, are invited to join Elie Hausman, Keshet NYC Engagement Intern, for a picnic of bagels and schmear. Sunday, May 10, 11:30am ET. Register
Online Youth Programs. Our weekly online hangouts for Jewish LGBTQ+ and ally youth! Join us for connection, laughter, and community.
- For ages 11-13: Join our LGBTQ+ Tween Online Gathering to make new friends and celebrate our identities. Next meeting is Monday, May 11, 7pm ET. Register
- For ages 13-18 and in grades 8-12: Join us for Monday Evening Hangouts, hosted by and for LGBTQ+ Jewish youth. Discussions, games, and more await! Next meeting is Monday, May 11, 8pm ET. Register
- For ages 18-24 and post-high school: You’re invited to our 18-24 Chill Space for Jewish LGBTQ+ and ally young adults. This is a space for young adults to chat and chill in community. Next meeting is Thursday, May 14, 8:30pm ET. Register
Queer Jewish Youth Alliance. LGBTQ+ Jewish teens in South Florida are invited to join our monthly meetings. Together we share support, celebrate our identities, and make new friends. Palm Beach County next meets Sunday, May 17, 4:30pm ET. Register
QJOC Kinship Affinity Space. Join our monthly online meeting for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, as we gather to recharge, share laughs, and build community. Tuesday, May 26, 7pm ET. Register
Ruach of Pride. Join Keshet and community partners in Florida for a Jewish Pride celebration and dinner. Together, we'll gather for an evening of music, meaningful conversation, and shared dinner, to honor the generations who came before us and allow us to proudly be ourselves. Thursday, June 4, 6pm ET. Register
As Old As Torah: The Queerness We Inherited. Join Keshet for a Pride event open to all and centered on celebrating the stories of LGBTQ+ Jews from our tradition. Led by Saffron Mala Kaplan, we'll explore stories featuring iconic figures like David, Joseph, and Ruth. Together, we'll uncover queer narratives written thousands of years ago, as we honor the LGBTQ+ Jews that have always been here. Thursday, June 11, 6:30pm ET. Register
Sunday Sundaes for Pride Month. We're celebrating Pride in Boston with ice cream sundaes! LGBTQ+ Jewish teens, 13-18, are welcome to join Lizzie Friedman, Keshet Greater Boston Youth Engagement Manager, as we enjoy sweet treats and celebrate our LGBTQ+ Pride. Sunday, June 14, 2pm ET. Register by emailing Lizzie
LGBTQ+ Jewish Family Camp. Join Keshet and URJ Camp Harlam for an unforgettable weekend for LGBTQ+ Jewish families with children. Engage in community building, Shabbat ritual, and programming created for many ages and identities. It will be like a Keshet Youth Shabbaton Weekend Retreat, but for your whole LGBTQ+ family! November 6-8, 2026, in Pennsylvania. Register
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Pride Empowerment Circle. In a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack, it is more important than ever to be in community with one another. Join the Alper JCC in Miami on the second Monday of every month. Keshet is a co-sponsor of this program through the JCCA Keshet Shivyon Project. Monday, May 11, 6:30pm ET, at Alper JCC Miami. Register
LGBTQ+ Monthly Sit. Join Jes Golden and guest leaders for a monthly Jewish mindfulness sit, offered by and for those who identify as LGBTQ+. Keshet is a close partner. Thursday, May 14, 12pm ET. Register
JCC PFLAG Support Group. Parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth are invited to join JCC Greater Boston's monthly virtual support group. This group aims to create a safe, welcoming, and affirming space within the Jewish community for parents and caregivers to support each other. These meetings are free of charge, but registration is required. Monday, May 18, 7:30pm ET. Register
Jewish Drag Icons: Then and Now. Get ready for a night of bold, bawdy Jewish drag! Journey through the history of Jewish drag icons over the last century, enjoy a live Jewish drag show with master performers Yochai Greenfeld, Alvah Klempt, Matzah Belle Soup, and Miryem-Khaye Siegel, and cap off the evening with a celebratory Pride dance party. Keshet is a co-sponsor. Wednesday, June 24, 7pm ET. Register
