No images? Click here
Dear Friend,
Pesach is the time to imagine what freedom can look like. Amidst the deluge of dangerous political attacks on transgender people, it is more important than ever to envision a world of freedom, and take meaningful steps to bring it about. Here are four things you can do to bring a world of transgender freedom, and LGBTQ+ freedom more broadly, into being.
TAKE ACTION
- Demand pro-equality policies and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country by contacting your elected officials today and advocating for a world in which all have equal rights
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Make sure that you know the basics of trans, nonbinary, and intersex identities
Seek out information and analysis from transgender-run sources
Think critically, and learn how to identify and push back against anti-trans misinformation
USE THE POWER OF YOUR OWN LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR
Model respect, dignity, and care in your own interactions
Always use language for people that they ask you to use. Check out What Pronouns Are, Why They Matter, and How to Get Them Right
Share your own pronouns when able—if you are an ally, this takes pressure off trans/nonbinary folks to be the only ones who need to do so
Especially if you are a cisgender ally, respond to transphobia, disrespectful language, and fearmongering by talking about core values, sharing accurate information, and addressing the harm this language causes in your community
ADVOCATE FOR EQUALITY LOCALLY
Encourage your community to join Thrive: The Jewish Coalition to Defend Trans and LGBQ+ Youth
Your Jewish organization might be one of the only places where LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, especially youth, are protected from changing political realities. You have a unique opportunity to live out your values—support our transgender, nonbinary, and intersex community members by being a safe haven for them when many secular institutions cannot. Advocate for practices and policies that affirm transgender dignity and full participation in daily life
Your voice matters! Keep showing up and advocating in your communities. And, if you are an ally, keep listening to and following trans leadership.
Together, we can build a Jewish and LGBTQ+ future where every person is seen, safe, and free.
In strength,
Rabbi Micah Buck
Director of Education & Training
he/they
Jon Cohen
Director of Community Mobilization
he/him
FEATURED
Keshet is honored to share an original song by Rachel Gollay, Keshet Southwest Community Mobilization Manager, inspired by the Passover season and what so many of our community members are experiencing. Listen and read Rachel's full reflection on the season.
What Does It Mean to Truly Be Free? by Eliana Rubin
Transgender Day of Visibility 2026 by Sage Cassell-Rosenberg
The Sacred Fire that Can Never Be Extinguished: Parashat Tzav 5786 by Rabbi Eliana Kayelle
What Queer Jews Have to Say About Kansas by Thea Hillman and Jon Cohen
We Cannot Abandon the Fight for Trans Rights in Kansas. Or In Indiana. Or Anywhere by Issac Young
TAKE ACTION WITH KESHET
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. Now is a great time to join an upcoming meeting to prepare for the 2026 legislative sessions in your state. Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 6, 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 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 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.
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 schools in the greater Los Angeles area. Launches Wednesday, September 2. 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. 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 to get updates.
- Preparing to Celebrate Pride in Jewish Communities as Educators. In this Keshet Community of Practice session, join Keshet and fellow Jewish educators as we discuss Pride as an opportunity to uplift joy, resilience, and visibility, and 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. 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
Chicago Zoo Trip. Join the Keshet trip to the Chicago Zoo! LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish youth ages 11-16 are invited to come with us to the Brookfield Zoo. Keshet will cover the cost of entrance tickets, as long as you register by April 10. Sunday, April 12, 10:30am CT. 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, April 13, 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, April 13, 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, April 16, 8:30pm 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 on the east coast. Learn more and email us to join the waitlist.
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.
Jewish and LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Practice. Join Keshet, AJC, and Base Miami for a panel discussion about Florida's legislative landscape and how we can use our LGBTQ+ Jewish advocacy to protect our rights. Thursday, April 23, 6:30pm 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, April 28, 7pm ET. 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, April 13, 3pm 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, April 16, 12pm ET. Register
Queerative Liberation. Queer Latin-Jews are invited to this affinity space, co-hosted by Jewtina y Co. and Keshet. Through art-making, text study, and community building, participants will explore themes of Passover, liberation, and belonging. Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm ET. Register
