Trans Jews

A blog run by trans and gender-nonconforming Jews for trans and gender-nonconforming Jews. We periodically post original articles and share resources from others. Learn more about us on our About, ask questions (after checking out the FAQ of course), and see past posts by browsing the blog and our tags. Don't forget to look at our Plans page to get an idea of what the community is currently working on!

[micdotcom]

Conservative rabbis pass resolution supporting trans rights

The Rabbinical Assembly, made up of 1,700 rabbis, stated that all those who identify as transgender will be identified with the name, gender and pronoun of their choosing, and those will be used when they are called to recite the Torah. Also full recognition and accommodation for transgender people within the religious institution will be made. Three Christian denominations have also taken a stand in support of trans rights.

[teal-deer]

Woah. @johnskylar, can you unpack this for me a bit? It sounds awesome.

[johnskylar]

It’s actually easier theologically to be trans accepting than tolerant of, say, being gay. The Talmud discusses some identities akin to the modern trans identity and is somewhat positive about them, with at least one opinion saying that someone who becomes a different gender should be treated as that gender. I feel like intolerance of trans people by homophobic theologies has largely been a matter of political association rather than doctrinal prohibition.

[westsemiteblues]

Aaaaand…here’s the Semite of the Day, in honor of Eurovision: Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International.

Born in Tel Aviv, to a Jewish family with Yemeni and Romanian roots, came out as a trans woman at thirteen, and won the 1998 Eurovision.

To those who had opposed her representing Israel at the event, she said afterward:

"My victory proves God is on my side. I want to send my critics a message of forgiveness and say to them: try to accept me and the kind of life I lead. I am what I am and this does not mean I don’t believe in God, and I am part of the Jewish nation.”

Strong, brave, talented, gutsy, and absolutely beautiful.

[bidyke]

This is my amulet that I made to ward off oppressive bullshit. The note with the symbols is rolled up inside the locket.

This is based on a Mizrahi (Arabic Jewish) tradition of amulets, which consist of a piece of parchment inscribed with various symbols and names of angels, and then rolled up in a locket. (Examples).

Mine is made of paper because I’m vegan and I don’t feel that another animal’s death can by any means promote good luck. The symbols are my personal favorites - feminism, anarchafeminist/trans-genderqueer symbol, and a bi trans symbol. Instead of names of angels, I chose words of healing and empowerment. As a writer, words give me life.

The locket itself is done in wire crochet with glass beads. Crochet is a traditional feminine art, generally perceived as “low art” (vs. “high art” such as painting or sculpture), not in the least as a result of its association with women and femininity. The form of the locket is influenced by traditional Judaica (religious Jewish art), and especially Torah scrolls (examples) and Mezuzahs (examples).

Amulets like these were never meant for us, never meant to promote the wellbeing of people like us - people like me. On the contrary, there is a long history of using these amulets by families and other relatives to try and “fix” us. By taking this format and changing its context to one that is feminist, bi and trans, I’m reclaiming them and making them mine, making them ours. Making it so that my culture is no longer my enemy. It is mine, it is ours - Mizrahi queer and trans people - because it should be for us, and we have a right to it. By taking up a traditional feminine art (crochet), I am validating women’s inventions, women’s work and women’s creativity, and emphasizing their value.

<3

[transjewry]

I want to apologize for my response to an ask I received earlier, in which I did not even mention transmisogyny. I had talked about misgendering, but misgendering is a product of transmisogyny and not the other way around -- and so the conversation should have talked about how transmisogyny affects genderqueer dmab individuals who are navigating spaces that are still extremely cisgender, dyadic, and binary and assert these unequal balances of power through exclusion and policing that’s entirely rooted in transmisogyny not because of misgendering. I really messed that up.

I want to thank clockworkpipedreams for not only talking to me through reblogging the original ask -- which I may make private because I do not want people reblogging the version without her commentary (which you can find here) -- but for being very patient with me. Especially since my initial reply was basically “Well it was a short reply because I was tired and don’t have much time”, which is extremely disrespectful to the time this topic deserves regardless of my own work schedule.

[progressivejudaism]

"One of the most important teachings in the Jewish tradition is that every human being is created b’tzelem elohim, “in God’s image,” which is interpreted to mean that every person must be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, transgender people have too often been the victims of blatant discrimination and of violence, their humanity and Godliness denied. And as a congregational rabbi, I have had congregants, both adults and teens, who are transgender, and I fear for their safety and their ability to live a life free of harassment and abuse."

Rabbi Toba Spitzer via Keshet (via progressivejudaism)

[awiderbridgeorg]

Transgender Teen Comes Out at Jewish School

“I am no longer Mia. I never really was. And now I finally stand before you in my true and authentic gender identity as Tom.”

Read the story

[transjewry]

Philly day school bathroom seen as symbol of transgender inclusion

At most Jewish day schools, naming honors tend to be attached to grand spaces — auditoriums, prayer spaces, gymnasiums and the like. But at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, a pluralistic day school in suburban Philadelphia, Patrick Rock’s name will forever be associated with what might seem to be a rather ordinary space: a bathroom. [...]

Read more about what the dedication means for those at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy as well as Patrick Rock -- now a doctoral student in social psychology at UCLA -- for what it means for something to be Jewish and how it is an expression of respect for one another.

[transjewry]

Why do I see afab genderqueer people identify as lesbian but amab genderqueer people get flack for doing the same?

Its probably because they are misgendering genderqueer amab and genderqueer dfab people. That’s the simplest explanation I can give, without knowing much about the person giving flack — but its always because of misgendering to some degree, I find, because I find most people do not understand  (or refuse to understand) what it means to be genderqueer. Some people refuse to realize that gender and sexual orientation is different for each person, and so some people don’t like it when they have to get to know you to understand you ironically.

[translesbiantheo]

Yeah, no, this is just transmisogyny plain and simple. The vast majority of cis or DFAB lesbians have a far smaller category of DMAB folks that they’ll accept as having a right to claim lesbianism (if they even accept trans woman at all) than they do for DFAB folks.

ofc, this really isn’t just a problem within the lesbian community, it’s just easy to highlight because it’s an identity based on womanhood. This is a problem in pretty much every woman only space. DFAB NB women aligned folks are given vastly more space than DMAB NB women aligned folks. It is pretty common for this to go to the extent that trans men are allowed into woman only spaces where trans women are not allowed.

This isn’t just misgendering, it’s targeted misgendering - towards DMAB feminine aligned trans folk. Keeping us out of safe spaces because we aren’t wanted.

OP: uh, this is so clearly a question about transmisogyny, if you are running a page about trans issues you really need to be able to recognise that.

[transjewry]

I want to apologize for not explicitly saying the word transmisogyny, which this definitely is. I do not deny that in any shape or form! It isn't an excuse, but I was on mobile at the time and getting ready for bed after a long day (8am to 8:50pm) so my reply was made short. I'm reblogging this so people can see your really good explanation as well.

[intergalactic-ashkenazi-deactiv]

Trans and Non-Binary Jews on Tumblr!

So I’m taking a Jewish studies class this semester that requires a semester paper, and I decided to write about trans and nb Jews, since I am one. The questions I’m trying to address in my paper are “How do trans and non-binary Jews represent themselves and their intersecting gender and religious identities? What is the impact of trans Jewish theology and practice on the broader Jewish community?” I know there are a good number of trans Jews on this website and I wanted to open these questions up to you guys. If there’s anything you think I should include, or if you’re willing to let me interview you, please send me a message!

transjewry I think a lot of your followers could probably help me with this

[transjewry]

I think you’re right that a lot of the followers here will be interested, so everyone that is interested go on and drop matzo-ball-souperhero -- which is the coolest name -- a message!

[thr0wawai]

jewish nonbinary people are incredible and lovely and brave

[transjewry]

Why do I see afab genderqueer people identify as lesbian but amab genderqueer people get flack for doing the same?

Its probably because they are misgendering genderqueer amab and genderqueer dfab people. That’s the simplest explanation I can give, without knowing much about the person giving flack — but its always because of misgendering to some degree, I find, because I find most people do not understand  (or refuse to understand) what it means to be genderqueer. Some people refuse to realize that gender and sexual orientation is different for each person, and so some people don’t like it when they have to get to know you to understand you ironically.

[progressivejudaism]

Need help learning about who you are?

Do you think you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, pansexual, genderqueer etc?

Check out this amazing Jewish resource! :)

[transjewry]

On Hebrew and Living in Gendered Language

Many people may be familiar with languages like Spanish or French in which nouns are gendered. The main difference between Hebrew and these other languages, however, is that one cannot speak in first or second person in Hebrew without indicating gender. The word “I” is ungendered, but any verb connected to it in present or future tenses inherently is. Thus, the phrase “I want a cookie” becomes, in literal translation, “I female-want a female-cookie.” In other words, interpersonal conversation is never without the indication of gender. Even if you and another person were on two sides of a barrier and your voices were not indicative of your gender, you would each know the other’s gender within a few sentences because of the verb formulations you’d use. [...]

Ilana Masad, the author, reflects on the use of gender in the Hebrew language, and the challenges it presents for women and genderqueer people in Israel.

[shiraglassman]

This is Micah, the AFAB trans street kid who may or may not know what happened to Esther’s stolen violin in A Harvest of Ripe Figs. He has no reason to cooperate with the authorities—for now, anyway! (Note for people looking for non-tragic trans representation: his subplot has a happy ending.)

In honor of Micah and all the real kids like him, ALL royalties for this novel until March 31 will be donated to Trans Life Line, so signal boosting is appreciated. Illustration by theloserfish; book also available from Amazon. 

[transjewry]

image description: a young man with brown skin and black hair, in tattered clothes, stands against a wall casually eating a starfruit. The picture is drawn in a chibi anime style.

[transjewry]

hello! i saw you had a message about gender-neutral terms to use instead of "ben/bat," and wanted to pitch in that i have met people who use "[name] mibeyt [parent 1's name] ve[parent 2's name]" which means "[name] from the house of [parent 1] and [parent 2]"

This is really great to know. Thank you for sharing!

[transjewry]

Hey! I'm non-binary and going through the conversion process (my temple is Reform, if that's helpful). I know that plenty of unisex Hebrew names exist, but is there a neutral term I could use instead of "ben/bat Avraham v' Sarah"? My understanding is that "b'nai" is plural -- would it be inappropriate to just use "b'nai" anyway? I mean, I use "they/them" pronouns and people have the same objection to those.

I have heard of "B'nai" being used before, when one does not want to use "ben" nor "bat", so its not unprecedented!

English is a bit of an oddity in that its largely a neuter language (excepting artefacts such as "actor" and "actress"). Our plurals are even gender neutral (they / them / theirs). In Hebrew, and many other languages, this is not the case; there is often a masculine plural and a feminine plural. The feminine plural is used exclusively to refer to feminine concepts, while the masculine plural can refer to either all masculine concepts or masculine and feminine concepts.

Using plurals to refer to singular concepts is not new in English, nor is it a new concept in many other languages. The result of language not evolving fast enough is that we have to make due with what we have, and so using a plural -- taking advantage that it can be interpreted to be referring to both masculine and feminine -- is one way that language has evolved to encompass a culture that is now more egalitarian. There are grammatical rules of how we use singular plurals, and so it is not grammatically incorrect -- rather, most who object often just have not had enough exposure for it to not sound "weird" to them. I would explain that and how your comfort should take precedent before grammar, especially when its your b'nai mitzvah and you want your community to recognize you in a way that makes you feel most included.

[transjewry]

hey, i understand and respect the meaning behind religious garb, but i was wondering, as someone who is working with a rabbi to convert (very recently i might add, our first meeting is feb 1), is it appropriate for me to wear a kippah outside of temple? im going to be reform if that means anything! i have done some reading and know that its a sign of reverence for god and some other reasons but i want to know if that would be inappropriate

There's a lot of different opinions on this, depending on who you ask, but I generally encourage people to only let those opinions influence you rather than make the decision for you.

After all, you're the one ultimately wearing the kippah at the end of the day.

I have a friend, in the processing of converting (also Reform), who has worn his kippah outside of temple -- he did so while at an LGBT conference, because he was not able to traditionally celebrate shabbat that day. My rabbi encouraged him to try out different ways to celebrate shabbat, so that he could figure out whats meaningful to him and to create his own traditions. Maybe you'll discover that creating your own traditions mean that you wear the kippah outside of temple too, maybe even more than just during shabbat as well.