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High Holidays 5786

Dear Friend,

As we find ourselves in the middle of the High Holiday season, today also marks the beginning of LGBTQ History Month. What a beautiful intersection of holiness! It is in this spirit of reflection and celebration that we’re lifting up the stories of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, a historic yet long underrepresented part of Jewish life.

 

At Keshet, we honor these interwoven threads in our work with LGBTQ+ Jews of Color every day:

  • Community gatherings like our monthly affinity group and our annual Keshet Neshamot Rainbow Souls Shabbaton for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, where more than 30 of us come together in sacred connection to celebrate Shabbat. 
  • Resources like Threads of Identity: LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in the Fabric of Jewish Life, a groundbreaking study that has been viewed over 5,000 times, is now being taught at universities, and continues to affirm that our stories are central to Jewish life. 

Thank you for supporting our essential programs for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color and community.

Give to Keshet today
 

As we step into the Jewish New Year, a time of renewal and possibility, something new and truly beautiful is unfolding. On October 19, we’ll gather in Harlem, New York for Flowers for Our People: An LGBTQ+ Jews of Color Art Showcase.

Flowers for Our People, which includes a photo exhibit of queered biblical scenes reimagined by LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, affirms that we have always been here and we are here to stay. That every person is created B’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and that uplifting the full diversity of Jewish life is holy and central to our tradition.

A person of color in an artistic photo portrait
 

Check out the sights and sounds behind the scenes of the Flowers for Our People photoshoot.

There is space for every soul to be reflected in our Jewish teachings and tradition. May all of this work remind us of the ever-present truth that every identity and every experience reveals the divinity among us. And may all that follows it in 5786 continue to reveal a world of sacredness, joy, and equality. 

Sustain this groundbreaking work!
Support Keshet now.

Two people of color in an artistic photo portrait
 

L'Shalom,

 
Jaimie H. Krass

Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
Jews of Color Program Manager
they/he

 
Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
 

P.S. Check out our High Holiday soundscape project and Keshet resources that lift up LGBTQ+ resilience, joy, holiness, and capacity for repair in this High Holiday season.

 
 
 

TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET

 
 
A Pride parade with trans-affirming signs
 

Across the country, we’re witnessing a surge of harmful legislation and rhetoric targeting trans, nonbinary, and intersex people, and seeking to strip away our fundamental rights. We need Jewish communities to stand up and affirm the dignity and humanity of all people. You are invited to sign our Jewish Pledge to Affirm the Dignity of Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex People and take action today.

 
Thrive: The Jewish Coalition to Defend Trans and LGBQ+ Youth
 

Now is a great time to join Thrive: The Jewish Coalition to Protect Trans and LGBQ+ Youth. With our coalition partners, we are stopping anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in its tracks and protecting medical care, access to sports, and much more for trans youth. As we prepare for new legislative sessions in 2026, now is the time to join our coalition and make sure your Jewish community is ready to act to protect our rights. Learn more about Thrive and join the movement.

 
 
 

LEARN WITH KESHET

 
 
 
 
Hannah Henschel speaking at a Shivyon Equality
 

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:

  • Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Shivyon Cohort. Open to member organizations of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, with a sliding scale fee. If the fee is a barrier, please reach out to us! Launches with two virtual Days of Learning, October 30 and November 6. Learn more and apply.

  • Conservative/Masorti-affiliated Organizations Shivyon Cohort. Open to Conservative/Masorti-affiliated organizations and congregations, and offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our partners! Launches with two virtual Days of Learning, November 11 and November 18. Learn more and apply.

  • Bay Area Shivyon Cohort. Open to organizations in the Bay Area, with a priority for youth-serving organizations, with a sliding scale fee. If the fee is a barrier, please reach out to us! Launches in-person with a Day of Learning, Thursday, November 13. Learn more and apply.

  • Miami Shivyon Cohort. Open to organizations in Miami-Dade County, with a sliding scale fee. If the fee is a barrier, please reach out to us! Launches in-person with a Day of Learning, Thursday, December 4. Learn more and apply.
     
  • Chicago Shivyon Cohort — Tzedek Edition. Open to organizations in the Chicago Metro area who are ready to take the next step towards mobilizing their community. Launches in-person with a Day of Learning, Thursday, December 11. Learn more and apply.

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

 
 
 
 
Spookkot in Chicago
 

Spookkot in Chicago. Have a very spooky Sukkot with Keshet! LGBTQ+ Jewish young people (16-24) are invited to join us in Chicago for a Sukkot meal and a trip to a haunted house! Celebrate the season with Spookkot, Sunday, October 12, 6pm CT. Email Issac Young to RSVP.

 
 
 
 
A zoom meeting with LGBTQ Jewish youth
 

Online Youth Programs. Our weekly online hangouts for Jewish LGBTQ+ and ally youth! Please note our adjusted dates because of the holidays:

  • 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, October 16, 8:30pm ET. Register.
     
  • For ages 11-13 and in grades 5-7: join our online Tween Programs. A place for LGBTQ+ Jewish tweens to meet, play games, and chat in community. Next meeting is Monday, October 20, 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, October 20, 8pm ET. Register.

 
 
 
LGBTQ+ Jewish youth at a Pride Shabbat
 

Palm Beach County Queer Jewish Youth Alliance. Join LGBTQ+ Jewish youth from all over Palm Beach County to celebrate living at the intersections of our LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities. This event is open to all LGBTQ+ and Jewish teens, ages 13-18. Location will be shared after registering. Sunday, October 19, 4pm ET. Register.

 
 
 
 
A Black person holds a bouquet of flowers in a picture frame
 

Flowers for Our People. An immersive art showcase celebrating the stories of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. This free community event is open to all who wish to uplift queer Jewish artists of Color, through portraits, film, live performances, and visual storytelling. Sunday, October 19, 6:30pm ET at the Dwyer Cultural Center, Harlem, New York. RSVPs are at capacity, but contact Sage Cassell-Rosenberg if you’d like to be placed on a waitlist.

 
 
 
 
Two Keshet Shabbaton participants reading from a book together
 

QJOC Kinship Affinity Space. Join our monthly meeting for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, as we gather to recharge, share laughs, and build community. Tuesday, October 28, 7pm ET. Register.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific Northwest Shabbaton logo with smiling youth lighting a Havdalah candle
 
 

Pacific Northwest Shabbaton. Our magical weekend retreat for LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish teens is coming to the PNW! LGBTQ+ & ally Jewish teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13-18) are invited to join us November 14–16. Register.

 
 
 
 
 

KESHET IN THE NEWS

Miami Beach protest over state’s order to remove rainbow-colored crosswalks, CBS Miami

Persecuted for being LGBTQ+ in Trump country, they now have a chance to start over someplace new, The Forward

With Every Breath, Spread Joy, Women of Reform Judaism

 
 

FROM THE KESHET BLOG

A Divine Hug: When Sukkot and National Coming Out Day Intersect, Tracey Labgold

Breaking Our Fast: Cream Cheese, Kugel, Community, Jenna Sapers-Sydney

Three Things My 15-Year-Old Self Would Say to Me Today, Jaimie Krass

 
 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

 
 
a person meditates at their desk
 

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, October 9, 12pm ET. Register.

 
 
rainbow people abstract
 

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. Thursday, October 9, 8pm ET. Register.

  • South Florida Support Groups. Jewish Fertility Foundation is also offering a South Florida-specific group for people to connect, with an LGBTQ+ support meeting on Monday, October 27. Register.
 
 
LGBTQ Community Sukkot Party
 

LGBTQ Community Sukkot Party. Join Keshet partner Eshel for the annual LGBTQ Community Sukkot Party! Celebrate this joyous holiday with a gathering at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan rooftop Sukkah, featuring breathtaking views of the NYC skyline, an open bar, lots of snacks, and plenty of laughter with friends old and new. This event is open to those 21+, both LGBTQ+ and allies. Sunday, October 12, 7pm ET. Register.

 
 
People march at a Florida Pride parade
 

Orlando Pride. Join Keshet along with our partner, Jews for a Secular Democracy, at Orlando Pride! This family-friendly parade and festival is a celebration of community and connection, including a parade, dozens of acts, and a nighttime fireworks display. Saturday, October 18, 12pm ET, at Lake Eola Park. No RSVP required.

 
 
Queer Jews of Color Picnic, Havdalah & Song Circle
 

Queer Jews of Color Picnic, Havdalah & Song Circle. Join Keshet partner Queer Nigun Project for a community gathering in Central Park. LGBTQ+ Jews of Color are invited to share a picnic meal as we sing our way into Havdalah, closing out Shabbat with connection, nourishment, and harmony. Saturday, October 18, 6pm ET. Register.

 
 
JCC Teens in the Kitchen
 

Teens in the Kitchen. Let's get cooking with Keshet partner JCC Houston! Teens are invited to have some fun in the kitchen with friends as we learn to make vegan lasagna with Chef Dylan of Sinfull Bakery, followed by a special presentation for LGBTQ History Month! Sunday, October 26, 3pm CT. Register.

 
 
Tell Your Story! Washington LGBTQ+ Jewish voices wanted
 

Tell Your Story: Washington LGBTQ+ Jewish Voices Wanted. Do you have a 5–8 minute personal story about the intersection of these identities? Are you willing to rehearse and be coached by Story District? Keshet is proud to co-sponsor Capital Jewish Museum’s upcoming storytelling event. Apply to perform at Spotlight On: Stories by LGBTQ+ Jews in the Federal City on Tuesday, December 15! Submit your proposal.

 
 
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