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Dear Friend,
Amidst another scary and uncertain week, I hope you and your loved ones are safe.
As a high school student in Florida, I spent much of my time challenging administrators and founding my school’s Gay Straight Alliance. Safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and allies were few and far between then, and they are far from guaranteed now. Yet many Jewish institutions across the country have embraced a clear charge: to cultivate communities where young LGBTQ+ people feel seen and safe. The 2005 film Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School played a significant role in creating that reality.
Produced by Idit Klein, founding President & CEO of Keshet, and directed by Irena Fayngold, the film sparked hundreds of screenings nationwide, reached thousands of Jewish educators and leaders, and reshaped conversations about LGBTQ+ belonging in Jewish life. Hineini’s ripple effects are innumerable.
Jaimie Krass, Idit Klein, Liana Galper, and Dr. Susie Tanchel at the 20th anniversary event
That impact was palpable at the film’s 20th anniversary celebration at Vilna Shul in Boston last month. Former students in the film, teachers, people who worked on the film, people who learned from it, all came together to rewatch and reflect. The stories and lessons they shared revealed a powerful legacy.
You too can mark this auspicious anniversary by watching the film—a moving story of belonging and persistence, of finding collaborators and strength along the way. It is truly a slice of history, of our history, within the canon of American Jewish life. And it still has so much to teach us in our current moment.
May we continue to heed its charge and build the Jewish community we all—especially young people—need.
In community,
Jaimie H. Krass
President & CEO
she/her
P.S. Read on for the Keshet March Newsletter below.
Check out highlights from our Purim Jewsletter from Chief Executive Dog, MishMish!
Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31. As attacks on transgender people intensify, our Jewish communities have an opportunity to be safe havens for trans and nonbinary community members. Join Keshet in honoring this day with our collection of resources, ranging from personal reflections, poetry, ritual prayers, and guides for supporting transgender people in your community. Celebrate with us.
Equality Directory. Our newly upgraded directory is filled with LGBTQ+ affirming Jewish clergy, synagogues, summer camps, and more! You can search for organizations with specific policies, rabbis who have specific areas of experience, and more. Get connected today.
Interested in being added to the Equality Directory? Fill out the form.
The Purim Story and the Courage to Remain by Amram Altzman
Reflections on Parshat Yitro by David Weitzman
Coming Together for a Better Future by Jon Cohen
TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET
Arizona Jewish Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights: 2026 Legislative Info Session. Join Keshet and Equality Arizona for the latest information about this year's Arizona legislative session and learn how to take action with and for our LGBTQ+ Jewish community. Monday, March 16, 6pm MT. Register
Pride Empowerment Circle: Florida Legislative Update. Join Alper JCC's Pride Empowerment Circle for a special Florida legislative update with Keshet Southeast Community Mobilization Manager David Weitzman. Together, we'll review the 2026 legislative session and discuss how we can take action for LGBTQ+ rights year-round. Monday, March 16, 6:30pm ET. Register
Miami Pride Events. Save the date for our upcoming Pride events in Miami, Florida! Miami Pride Shabbat is Friday, April 10, and Miami Beach Pride is Sunday, April 12. Email David Weitzman, Southeast Community Mobilization Manager, if you're interested.
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. Our next meeting is TODAY, Wednesday, March 4, 3pm ET. Learn more about Thrive and join the movement.
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 free 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 LAUNCH DATE* Greater MetroWest New Jersey Cohort. Open to Jewish organizations in New Jersey, we will prioritize applications from groups that have already done some work towards LGBTQ+ belonging. Launches Thursday, March 26. Learn more and apply
- New York City Cohort. Open to Jewish organizations in the New York City region with supplemental education programs such as religious schools, JCCs, synagogues with Sunday/after-school programming, etc. Launches Wednesday, April 29. Learn more and apply
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. Keshet experts and partners provide learning opportunities and new resources to advance LGBTQ+ belonging. Our next session is Wednesday, March 11, 6pm ET. Register
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. Learn more
KESHET EVENTS
Boston Youth Events. LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish teens in Boston are invited to join Lizzie Friedman, Greater Boston Youth Engagement Manager, for two upcoming in-person events.
Greater Boston Teen Hangout. Hosted by Lizzie and Shabbaton co-chairs! Join us for dinner, games, and to help plan future events. Thursday, March 5, 6:30pm ET. Register by emailing the Youth Programs Team.
Bagel Brunch. Jewish LGBTQ+ youth and their families are invited to a bagel brunch with Keshet and JCC Greater Boston. Sunday, March 8, 12pm 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 and in grades 5-7: Join our LGBTQ+ Tween Online Gathering to make new friends and celebrate our identities. Next meeting is Monday, March 9, 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, March 9, 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, March 19, 8:30pm 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, March 24, 7pm ET. Register
Grave Questions: Office Hours for Queering End-of-Life Planning. Have you ever wondered about LGBTQ+ Jewish end-of-life care, but weren't sure who to ask? Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman of Keshet and Sarit Wishnevski of Kavod v'Nichum are offering a drop-in space for all your questions about LGBTQ+ belonging, Jewish tradition, and communal care practices. Wednesday, April 15, 4pm ET. Register
2026 LGBTQ+ & Ally Teen Shabbaton Retreats. These magical weekend retreats are unique gatherings for LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish teens, 13-18 years old, to explore and learn about their Jewish and queer identities in an affirming and joyful community. April 17-19 outside D.C. Learn more and register
LGBTQ+ Jewish Family Camp. Join Keshet and Camp Harlam for an unforgettable weekend for LGBTQ+ Jewish families. Engage in community building, shabbat ritual, and programming specific to 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. Learn more
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Purimshpiel by Ain't Mitzvahavin'. It's time for the fifth annual Purimshpiel, brought to you by Boston-based queer Jewish performance troop, Ain't Mitzvahavin'! Get ready for an even bigger, better, gayer, and more gender bent retelling of the story of Esther. TONIGHT, March 4, 7pm ET. Register
Gragger Purim Party. Vampires, witches, and fabulous kings, oh my! Gragger 5786 is upon us! Join Boston Workers Circle for their annual Purim party, this year featuring Esther The Vampire Slayer! Keshet is proud to partner on this event. Saturday, March 7, 7pm ET. Register
"We Had a World" Panel Discussion. Join Keshet's Eli Lurie Sobel, Education & Training Manager, for a panel discussion following a performance of "We Had a World" at The Huntington Theatre. Together with local partner orgs, we'll discuss the play's themes of family, storytelling, and enduring love. Sunday, March 8, 2pm ET. Register
JCC PFLAG Support Group. Parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth are invited to this monthly virtual support group, created to provide a safe and welcoming space in the Jewish community for parents and caregivers navigating their family's identity development. Keshet is a partner of this program. Monday, March 9, 7:30pm ET. Register
LGBTQ+ Fertility Support Group. Join our partner, Jewish Fertility Foundation, for their national peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ+ individuals going through a fertility journey. Discover community and connect with resources tailored to your fertility needs. Keshet is a close partner. Monday, March 9, 8pm ET. 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, March 12, 12pm ET. Register.
Shabbat Dinner and LGBTQ+ Jewish History Timeline Workshop. Join Base Logan Square Chicago and Keshet for Shabbat dinner and a conversation lead by Education & Training Manager Jackie Maris. Learn about the history of LGBTQ+ Jewish communities in the U.S. and get inspired to take action for our rights today. Friday, March 13, 7:30pm CT. Register
And Still They Vanish. Experience a moving and powerful performance meditating on memory, identity, and injustice, presented by Coro Allegro, Boston's LGBTQ+ and allied classical chorus. This concert features James Whitbourn's Annelies, based on The Diary of Anne Frank. Sunday, March 15, 3pm ET at the First Church in Cambridge. Get tickets.
Community Pride Shabbat. Celebrate the diversity of our Jewish community in South Florida! Join Keshet's partner, the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in Boca Raton, for a community Shabbat with a musical, pluralistic service and oneg. All are welcome. Friday, March 27, 6pm ET. Register.
Rising Voices Fellowship. Keshet close partner, Jewish Women's Archive, is accepting applications for their Rising Voices Fellowship. Young Jewish women and nonbinary teens in grades 10-12 who are passionate about Judaism, feminism, and social justice are invited to apply. Applications are open now through March 31.
