Local Congregations Present Panel on Being Transgender and Jewish

While the transgender population in the U.S. is small — only 1.6% according to the Pew Research Center, trans individuals are increasingly open about their identity and challenges. Transgender and non-binary individuals identify as another gender than the one with which they were registered at birth. Some pursue medical treatments to transition to the sex which they believe is authentically who they are. As a small minority, trans individuals often face animosity, discrimination and sometimes violence.

While there are no specific statistics about Jewish transgender and non-binary people, several Jewish individuals are active in Michigan organizations that help those who are trans. Recently, five Jewish congregations along with two statewide organizations presented a panel titled “Being Trans and Jewish: Fostering Understanding and Allyship” at Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield on Aug. 7. About 75 people attended.

According to Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of Beth Ahm, the panel discussion was suggested by an acquaintance — Nomi Joyrich, the Michigan director of Jews for a Secular Democracy, an organization that advocates for separation of church and state. Rabbi Rubenstein explained that he has written about transgender individuals and wants them to feel comfortable at Beth Ahm, where there are several young people who identify as trans. The parents of Ezra Orel, one of the panelists, recently joined the congregation.

Read the full article in the Detroit Jewish News here.