Here are a few things we know to be true: Attacks on LGBTQ+ people are on the rise, racism is escalating and antisemitism continues to surge. Now, imagine standing at the intersection of these oppressions, experiencing all of them at once.
For LGBTQ+ Jews of Color like myself, this isn’t something we have to imagine. We live it every day. As Keshet’s Jews of Color program manager, I hear a consistent message: There is a troubling lack of awareness, representation and understanding of our unique experiences and challenges within the broader Jewish community — particularly from those who do not share our identities or lived experiences.
Like all Jews, LGBTQ+ Jews of Color want not only to be tolerated in the Jewish community but to be fully embraced and thrive as Jews. But this can only happen through genuine communal recognition of our full selves. We need understanding and true belonging to flourish.
These needs — this hunger — are why Keshet, a national organization that works for LGBTQ+ equality in Jewish life, has released the first comprehensive report on the unique experiences, challenges and resilience of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in Jewish spaces.
The report, “Threads of Identity: LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in the Fabric of Jewish Life,” amplifies their voices, highlighting both their pride in these identities and the barriers to full participation and belonging in the Jewish community.
Respondents frequently described entering Jewish spaces with a mix of emotions. They have a deep passion for Judaism and a longing for Jewish connection — paired with apprehension and feelings of exclusion. “I tread lightly when I enter Jewish spaces,” one respondent told us. “I’m conscious that my actions (talk, hand gestures, dress) will be judged. I’ve made wonderful friends at shul and other spaces I frequent, but I still feel different.”
Many expressed a strong desire to engage with other Jews and Jewish spaces, even as they feared or faced being misunderstood or excluded while seeking to belong. This emotional tug-of-war often diminished their sense of belonging while shaping and complicating their overall experiences in these spaces. As another respondent said: “We will always feel connected to all or both sides of our identity and it’s not about simply feeling totally at ease in Jewish spaces. We will always be both/and. We can’t check parts of our identity at the door in order to engage with the Jewish part.”
“Threads of Identity” weaves together stories with illuminating statistics:
• 83% of respondents felt their sense of belonging in the Jewish community has been negatively impacted by situations related to their sexual orientation, gender expression, race or ethnicity.
• 86% do not believe there are sufficient resources and support systems available for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color in the Jewish community.
• 77% feel burdened by the need to explain aspects of their sexual orientation, gender expression, race or ethnicity.
Building off of the Jews of Color Initiative’s landmark study “Beyond the Count” from 2021, “Threads of Identity” provides actionable steps for the Jewish community to take in order to create spaces where LGBTQ+ Jews of Color are not only acknowledged but fully embraced and supported. It outlines recommendations to foster understanding and allyship for LGBTQ+ Jews of Color such as managing curiosity and taking initiative in self-education to reduce the burden on LGBTQ+ Jews of Color. One respondent spoke poignantly about the importance of these measures: “I’m an educator by nature, but at times I feel burdened to take on the education of others.… In this time of information technology, more people need to take the initiative to educate themselves.”
“Threads of Identity” proposes proactive actions that Jewish institutions and community members can take to foster inclusivity, such as:
• Amplifying the work and representation of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color
• Encouraging funding for spaces that provide education or support benefiting LGBTQ+ Jews of Color
• Addressing harm against LGBTQ+ Jews of Color by being active witnesses. This helps shift the burden off the person experiencing harm and makes it easier to hold others accountable.
The report sets guidelines and frames allyship as an ongoing process that involves decentering oneself, actively listening and tailoring support to individual needs rather than assumed needs.
At its core, this work invites the Jewish community to rethink Jewish identity in ways that fully reflect and embrace its diversity. Beyond its utility as a report, “Threads of Identity” is a portrait of the resilience of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color amid a variety of challenges.
“We’re here, and we’re here to stay,” another respondent said. “A place must be made at the table for us because we are just as important as the ‘traditional’ faces and identities seen in Jewish spaces.”
Finally, it is a call to action, challenging Jewish spaces to ensure that all Jews feel a sense of belonging, value and empowerment, where the experiences of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color are not only acknowledged but truly celebrated.