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Dear Friend,
Every November 20, transgender people and allies around the world observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to memorialize and remember the victims of transphobic violence who died in the last year, as well as to honor the strength of the trans community in the face of hardship.
This year, while we mourn those we’ve lost, many of us are also grieving because of the violent targeting of trans people by the current administration, and the impacts those attacks can have politically, communally, and individually. But we know trans people will always be here. Along with our grief, we honor the fierce resilience of the trans community. Even amidst a world where transphobic violence is all too present, we can find joy and hope, and celebrate the beauty of trans people past, present, and future.
Keshet created a variety of resources to help you mark Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) in your own way, in your own community. We invite you to:
- Use a prayer or ritual honoring the trans people we have lost in your own community.
- Attend a commemorative event in your community or online.
- Find sustenance and grounding to stand firmly in solidarity with trans folks in your community.
It is an incredibly hard time, but we at Keshet are more committed than ever to the work we do — together with you — to cultivate spaces of affirmation, authenticity, and safety, and to advocate forcefully, Jewishly, for the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, and all LGBTQ+ people.
As we grieve for our trans siblings who we have lost and remember our trancestors, may we be strengthened by their courage and act in their honor. As the legendary Miss Major, a Black trans activist and elder who passed away last month once said: “We used to accept this crap of: We’re not worthy, and We shouldn’t exist, like this government is trying to push down our throats. We’ve got to revolt, and we’ve got to reclaim who the f&#% we are and let these people realize, before they came along, we were honored and worshipped and appreciated and adored.”
Zichronam livracha — may all of their memories be a blessing. May their memory be for a revolution.
In strength,
Rabbi Eliana Kayelle
Bay Area Education & Training Manager
they/them
TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET
You're invited to join the Jewish movement for trans, nonbinary, and intersex rights. Especially as we prepare for Trans Day of Remembrance, we need Jewish communities to stand up and affirm the dignity and humanity of all people. Sign Keshet's Jewish Pledge to Affirm the Dignity of Trans, Nonbinary, and Intersex People.
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, protecting medical care, access to sports, and much more for trans youth. As we prepare for new legislative sessions in 2026, we're hosting a special open meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 3pm ET. You don't need to be an organizational member of Thrive to attend! Learn more about Thrive and join the movement.
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:
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.
Coming Soon: Keshet's Community of Practice for Jewish Educators. We're launching a new program for Jewish educators to stay in community, get relevant resources, and learn with Keshet. Stay tuned for more info, and reach out to us if you're interested in participating: education@keshetonline.org
KESHET EVENTS
Online Youth Programs. Our weekly online hangouts for Jewish LGBTQ+ and ally youth! Please note our adjusted dates because of the holidays:
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, November 10, 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, November 10, 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, November 13, 8:30pm ET. Register.
Give Them Their Flowers: A Trans Community Gathering. Join a virtual vigil to honor Trans Day of Remembrance, hosted by our national partners including Advocates for Trans Equality, Transgender Law Center, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, and Equality Federation. Speakers include Keshet youth Shabbaton alum, Sivan Kotler-Berkowitz. Thursday, November 20, 6pm ET. Register.
QJOC Kinship Affinity Space. Join our monthly meeting for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color, as we gather to recharge, share laughs, and build community. Tuesday, November 25, 7pm 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.
March 20-22 in the Midwest
April 17-19 on the East Coast
Learn more and register.
KESHET RESOURCES
Flowers for Our People. Curated by Keshet Jews of Color Program Manager Sage Cassell-Rosenberg, this historic and groundbreaking exhibit uses photography and written reflections to reimagine iconic figures from Jewish text through the lens of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. View the exhibit, including reflections written by Saffie Kaplan.
Transness Is Our Salve by Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman
Keshet Conversations: On Writing — and Reading — Rom-Trom-Coms by Sage Cassell-Rosenberg with Rachel Runya Katz
The Book of Life We Write Together by Rabbi Eliana Kayelle
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Pride Empowerment Circle. In a time when the LGBTQ+ community is 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, November 10, 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, November 13, 12pm ET. Register.
Shabbat Honoring Transgender Awareness Week. Join Keshet partners Repair the World and Moishe House Back Bay for a Shabbat gathering to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance. Share good food and meaningful conversation, as well as the opportunity to take action for transgender rights. At Moishe House Back Bay. Friday, November 14, 7pm ET. Register.
The Jewish Studio Process: Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance. Join Eli Lurie Sobel, Keshet Greater Boston Education & Training Manager, for a gathering to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance with learning and reflection through art in Newton, MA. Sunday, November 16, 1pm ET. Register.
Jewish Perspectives on Bodily Autonomy & Reproductive Rights. What does our Jewish tradition really say about bodily autonomy and reproductive rights? Join Keshet partner Laasok with rabbi and lawyer Cookie Lea Olshein for a conversation from the Torah to today, unpacking sacred texts and recent U.S. case law. Online on Zoom. Monday, November 17, 3pm ET. Register.
Zokherim: We Remember — Trans Day of Remembrance Communal Gathering. Join Keshet and the Chicago Jewish community for an evening of workshops, study, and prayer, in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Hosted by our partners, Hebrew Seminary and Anshe Emet Synagogue. Thursday, November 20, 6:45pm CT. Register.
Queer Torah: Kaddish for Transgender Day of Remembrance. In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, our partner Lehrhaus is hosting a class exploring the meaning of the Jewish Kaddish prayer and the ritual's significance on this holiday. With Keshet Greater Boston Education & Training Manager, Eli Lurie Sobel in Cambridge, MA. Thursday, November 20, 8pm 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, December 1, 8pm ET. Register
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence — Screening and Conversation. Join Keshet partners Hebrew College and the Jewish Women's Archive for a screening of Janis Ian: Breaking Silence with the film's co-writer and executive producer, Pierre Hauser, in Brookline, MA. Wednesday, December 3, 6:30pm ET. Register.
