According to queer Jewish comedian Ely Kreimendahl, being gay and Jewish means that you’re double chosen. And, especially in a time when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise in the United States and antisemitism is clearly not going anywhere, isn’t that worth celebrating? Below is a curated list of accessories, books, clothes, Judaica and art that say both, “I’m proud of my Jewish queerness” and “I’m gay and Jewish and I deserve a little treat.”
Happy Pride Month, pals! Always remember that no matter who you are, we are all made b’tzelem elohim, in God’s image.
Accessories
“Oy Vey I’m Gay” Hat (Etsy, $42)
Oy vey! (Not derogatory)
Pride Chai Necklace (Sarah Day Arts, $32)
To bi, lesbian, trans and ace life! Amen!
Schmearly Beloved Golem Enamel Pin (Etsy, $13.18)
ICYMI, golems are the ultimate queer Jewish symbol.
Malak Necklace (Susan Alexandra, $60)
With its rainbow colors and dozens of evil eye charms, this necklace is the perfect queer Jewish protection charm.
Books
“Who’s Afraid of Gender?” by Judith Butler (Bookshop, $27.90)
From iconic Jewish thinker Judith Butler, this book, “confronts the attacks on ‘gender’ that have become central to right-wing movements today.” The book description goes on, “An essential intervention into one of the most fraught issues of our moment, ‘Who’s Afraid of Gender?’ is a bold call to refuse the alliance with authoritarian movements and to make a broad coalition with all those whose struggle for equality is linked with fighting injustice.”
“Continuum” by Chella Man (Bookshop, $8.36)
Per Bookshop, “‘What constructs in your life must you unlearn to support inclusivity and respect for all?’ This is a question that artist, actor, and activist Chella Man wrestles with in this powerful and honest essay. A story of coping and resilience, Chella journeys through his experiences as a Deaf, transgender, genderqueer, Jewish person of color, and shows us that identity lies on a continuum — a beautiful, messy, and ever-evolving road of exploration.”
The second book from gay, Black and Jewish chef and writer Michael Twitty, “Koshersoul,” “considers the marriage of two of the most distinctive culinary cultures in the world today: the foods and traditions of the African Atlantic and the global Jewish diaspora. To Twitty, the creation of African-Jewish cooking is a conversation of migrations and a dialogue of diasporas offering a rich background for inventive recipes and the people who create them.”
Per Bookshop, “Spanning almost two millennia and containing translations from more than a dozen languages, Noam Sienna’s new book, ‘A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts From the First Century to 1969,’ collects for the first time more than a hundred sources on the intersection of Jewish and queer identities.
Clothes
Daddy’s Little Matzoh Ball T-Shirt (Susan Alexandra, $60)
File this under things that aren’t specifically queer, but feel very queer.
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas T-Shirt (Etsy, $45)
Tops and bottoms? More like fronts and backs!
Claude Cahun T-Shirt (Etsy, $34.72)
Claude Cahun was a transgressive queer Jewish artist who resisted Nazi fascism in Vichy France. So yeah, buy the t-shirt.
Judaica and Art
Beames Designs Wedding Smash Glass (ModernTribe, $42)
Mazel tov!
Faygeleh Screen Print (Etsy, $60)
In Yiddish, the word faygeleh is a reclaimed slur for gay men (though it’s literal translation is “little bird”). This gorgeous screenprint titled “Faygeleh” highlights the intersections of gay, trans and Jewish identity.
Crocheted Pride Kippot (Etsy, $45)
Whether you’re observant or only where kippot in synagogue, everyone should be able to show their true colors in their Jewish identity.
Rainbow Mezuzah (ModernTribe, $75)
If you want a mezuzah that says “Hi, gay,” this one’s for you.
