Judaism Unbound Episode 281: Judaism UnBinaried - Dan and Lex

Jul 2

Dan and Lex reflect on recent conversations (7 of them!) that have intertwined explorations of Judaism, through lenses of transgender experience, and explorations of gender, through lenses of Jewish experience. They consider the myriad ways in which trans Jews are (and will continue to be!) on the front lines of efforts to pioneer sacred forms of Judaism for our time and the future, and they ask what those folks have to teach us about upending binaries more generally.

[1] Check out all our earlier episodes in this mini-series: Episode 273: Trans & Jewish World-Building - Becky Silverstein, Laynie Soloman, Episode 274: Beyond Binaries, Beyond Orthodoxies - Jericho Vincent, Episode 275: Rhythms of Sacred Protest - Koach Baruch Frazier, Episode 276: Allyship Fundamentals - Mike Moskowitz, Episode 277: Trans Jewish Fiction - Leiah Moser, Episode 279: Voice for Justice - Ari Lev Fornari, Episode 280: Trans Diaspora, Baruch Hashem - Binya Koatz

[2] We strongly encourage you to support the projects/organizations that we featured in this unit. You can do so via any of these links: SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva, Tzedek Lab, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, Kol Tzedek.

[3] Lex alludes to a statement that many are asked to make, upon converting to Judaism, that they will practice Judaism “to the exclusion of all other faiths.” If you’re interested in looking at the full statement, from the Reform movement, click here.

[4] Lex mentions past guests on Judaism Unbound who read the character of Rabbi Yochanan (from the Talmud) as a transgender woman. Learn more by checking out Binya Koatz’s “Toldot Trans: Tracing a Trans Lineage through the Torah.” You can also check out Daniel Boyarin’s essay, entitled “Why is Rabbi Yochanan a Woman? Or, a Queer Marriage Gone Bad.”