Queer Yid Podcast: LGBTQ Jews Share Our Stories

Today I'm talking with Yered Stufflebeam. From Indiana to Pittsburgh to Israel, Yered's story is unapologetically queer. After being bullied in high school, Yered came out to his friends, family, and Rabbis, and forged his own path through the religious world. From proudly working as an openly gay madrich to breaking stereotypes about religious people in the army, Yered's story is one you won't want to miss.

Today I'm speaking with an old friend and fellow traveler between the queer and religious worlds. In this episode we talk about her journey coming up in Modern Orthodoxy and struggling to find the right words for her identity: asexual, gay, or queer. We also reminisce on a snapshot in time when two girls in their early twenties were learning to embrace what made them different with love and curiosity. Today's guest asked that her name not be used for professional reasons. So, it's my great pleasure to introduce you to my old friend: anon.

Chaim Levin is a queer activist, conversion therapy survivor, and founder of the LGBTQ Chabad online community. In his work as an advocate for numerous causes affecting the Orthodox community, pieces of Chaim's story have been told across several different platforms. In this episode, Chaim and I sit down to go over his narrative - beginning to end - and cover some of the highlights and challenges that he's faced along the way. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual abuse as well as suicidality You can learn more about Chaim's work by visiting his website: chaimlevin.com

Today we're flipping the script! I'm joined by a dear friend and fantastic ally to the LGBTQ community, Yehuda Miller, aka Goose. In this week's episode, Goose helps me chart the tale of my own journey: into Orthodoxy as a young teen, through the ups and downs of learning to embrace my queer identity, all the way up until today - when my partner and I launched the Queer Yid Podcast. It's been a true exercise in empathy, being in the hot seat, and I hope that you find something meaningful in the story that I have to share.

Today I'm talking with Joe Hyman, a conversion therapy survivor as well as a Jewish queer activist from London. In this episode Joe and I speak about the role that Judaism played in his journey to - and eventually away from - conversion therapy. We also chat about some of the highlights and hazards of stepping into the role of a queer & religious public figure. You can follow Joe on instagram @josephmhyman

Today I'm talking with Lieba Swartz-Brownstein. Originally born in Alaska, Lieba was raised in Portland, Oregon where she became religious along with her two brothers. Following high school, Lieba left home to study abroad in Israel before continuing her college education at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in New York. In this episode, we talk about Lieba's journey through Orthodoxy, the struggle to find the gift and wholeness in her queerness, how she found recovery from her Eating Disorder, and what it means to stay in deep relationship with family. Lieba currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and is happily partnered. She works as a psychotherapist supporting folks in healing their relationship to food and their body as well as helping many young people step into their own queer liberation. You can find more about Lieba's work here: https://www.liebasbtherapy.com Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of abuse, depression, and eating disorders.

Meet Jason Greenspan. Growing up as a baal teshuva in Skokie, Illinois, Jason's story takes him to Yeshivat Har Etzion in the Gush where (with a bit of help from Oscar Wilde) he came to embrace his queer identity. Today Jason is a volunteer for Belibeinu, IGY's Beit Midrash program and is active in Havruta as well as Shoval. In this episode, Jason and I talk about bisexuality, halacha, and creating queer, Torah-oriented spaces.

Today I'm talking with Josh Rose, a writer and charity program manager who lives in London. In this episode Josh and I speak about his experience becoming involved in Orthodoxy as a young teen in Manchester, and how realizing he was gay impacted his relationship with Judaism. Josh is the author of a short film, tv show, and book and hopes to one day use his craft to tell positive queer stories on screen. You can find his writing on his blog.

Deena Klein is a Modern Orthodox Jew and an out-and-proud lesbian who lives in Brooklyn with her wife and son. From Long Island through Yeshiva University all the way down to Chabad of the Bowery, Deena's story is about the profound power of a family's love and how one thoughtful question from an empathetic Rabbi can change a life. No content warning this time, but you might want to bring some tissues - this one's a real heart warmer.

Meet Sam Bronstein. Sam grew up going to Chabad and Bais Yaakov schools, and is currently a writer, student, and disabilities activist living in Israel. They identify as a nonbinary queer lesbian and their pronouns are they/them. In today's show, Sam and I speak about the intersection of being queer and disabled, the importance of language, and how embracing labels can be equal parts liberating and limiting. Content Warning: This episode touches on some sensitive topics, including sexual abuse and suicide. If you would prefer to skip those sections, find exact times below: Sexual Abuse: 29:04 - 29:27 and 32:32 - 33:17 Suicidal Thoughts: 32:00 - 32:27 ---------------- Find Sam's writing on their experiences juggling physical disability, mental health and their queer identity on their blog: diarydisableddreamer.blogspot.com as well as on facebook and instagram

Today I'm talking with Shlomo Satt, a conversion therapy survivor, the subject of an upcoming broadway show, and communications manager for CT Survivors, an organization that is doing incredible work to help support people as they recover from some of the traumatic effects of conversion therapy. In this episode, Shlomo and I talk about what it's like growing up as a queer kid in the Yeshivish world, his experience with conversion therapy, and the path he took to get to where he is today. Content Warning: This episode deals with some heavy topics, including suicide and depression. If you would rather not listen to those sections, we suggest you skip the following: Mentions of Suicidal Ideation: 17:09 - 17:43 ---------------- Here is a link to the organization mentioned in the show: ctsurvivors.org

Today's show features Leana Jelen Tapnack, a sign language interpreter, soferet, and native Yiddish speaker, who lives in Manhattan together with her wife. In this episode Leana and I talk about giving ourselves permission to explore, and of learning to love all the pieces of our identities: queer, Jewish, and otherwise. Check out Leana's writing at: www.myjewishlearning.com/2015/06/23/hello-and-happy-pride-month/amp/ Leana has also been featured on JTA.org: www.jta.org/2020/10/28/lifestyle/a-small-but-growing-number-of-orthodox-rabbis-are-officiating-same-sex-weddings/amp www.jta.org/2020/10/21/lifestyle/some-queer-jews-are-finding-meaning-in-the-laws-of-family-purity-traditionally-observed-by-married-orthodox-couples/amp

Jude lives in London with their three children. They identify as gender non-binary, and their pronouns are they/them. Growing up in Chabad communities in England and in Israel, Jude has gone on a courageous journey of self discovery, coming to love and embrace their identity. In today's show, Jude and I speak about their journey, and about the importance of living life authentically. Jude's story on Queermunity Mag: https://queermunitymag.wixsite.com/blog/post/parenting-from-the-closet

Welcome to the Queer Yid Podcast! Where we share the stories of people just like us - LGBTQ Jews from religious backgrounds. Whether you're queer, questioning, or simply curious about our lives, we invite you to listen and reflect on the narratives that our guests have to share.