This is a collection of five short articles by various authors, edited by Jason Schulman. He seeks to explore the evolving conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ identity in Orthodox Judaism and highlights the growing efforts to create greater understanding and inclusion within Orthodox communities. This “roundtable” includes the following articles.
In “On Tolerance, Acceptance, and Affirmation,” Orit Avishai examines the progress and ongoing barriers to LGBTQ+ inclusion in Orthodox Judaism, arguing that cultural and political resistance, rather than Jewish law alone, often prevents full acceptance and affirmation.
Shlomo Gleibman explores how Orthodox Jewish leaders’ interpretations of same-sex desire have changed over time, reflecting broader social, cultural, and historical attitudes toward homosexuality.
Miryam Kabakov describes Eshel’s efforts to support LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews and their families while gradually transforming Orthodox communities into spaces where queer individuals can fully belong without sacrificing their religious identities.
Asking “To Be Queer or to Be Orthodox? Why Not Both?” Mie Astrup Jensen uses interviews with queer Jewish women to demonstrate how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate and integrate their queer identities with Orthodox beliefs, religious practices, and Jewish traditions.
Cathy S. Gelbin analyzes films and television portraying queer Jewish experiences, exploring how media represents the tensions between LGBTQ+ identity, Jewish tradition, gender roles, and religious belonging.
