Published: 5 July 2022
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Orthodox synagogues separate men and women. Rabbi GABI KALTMANN considers where that places transgender Jews
Judaism is not a stagnant religion. While the Torah is ancient and was received by the Jewish people 2000 years ago at Mount Sinai, its laws and messages are eternal.
As an orthodox rabbi, I believe that the Torah is divine, directly from God. This means that the answer to all questions, no matter how complex or challenging, are found within it.
A few weeks ago, someone from my congregation approached me, asking me how our synagogue can better include persons who are transgender in services.
My shule is an orthodox synagogue, with a mechitzah (separation) between the men’s and women’s sections. That divide can cause a unique set of considerations for individuals who are non-binary or who are transitioning.
In the 21st century, t
In the 21st Century, how best to include persons who are transgender in all areas of life is an emerging issue.
In recent decades we have sought answers within our texts on ways we can create a deeper and richer Jewish experience for women. Now, we must seek answers on other gender questions as well
When I provided a response, I first made it clear that embarrassing someone or publicly shaming a person is a grievous sin and in sensitive situations like this, it is imperative to be respectful and courteous.
I explained that according to halakha (Jewish law), however a person chooses to identify themselves, halakhah permits them to sit on their chosen side of the mechitzah. That means, a person who is in the process of transitioning and identifies with a particular gender, can sit on that side of the mechitzah.
