Tell me a little about yourself! 

My name is Amieh, and I’m 18. I am half Filipino and a mix of things on the other side, mainly Ashkenazi and Black. I use she/her pronouns and grew up in Oakland, CA!

Reflecting on your high school experience, what were some challenges you faced navigating your identity as an LGBTQ+ Jew of Color? 

While I grew up going to Hebrew school at my local synagogue, I found myself drifting away from the religious side of Judaism without the structure of Binei Mitzvahs or weekly Shabbat practices. As a JOC, it was already hard to feel fully “Jewish enough” within Jewish spaces, but after October 7th the divide within the Jewish community felt even greater, and JOCs seemed to get even more pushed to the side. 

What steps can schools and Jewish institutions take to foster a more welcoming, affirming, and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ Jewish youth of Color, in the classroom, during extracurricular activities, or at Jewish community events? 

It’s super beneficial to have representation within staff. Seeing yourself reflected in those who are in charge gives a sense of reassurance. I think it would’ve also been helpful to know that others were going through a similar experience—adults and kids. I remember during COVID, there were many Instagram accounts dedicated to people sharing their experiences. Having resources available so we can read about others’ experiences, as well as creating a place for people to share their experiences anonymously, might help build a sense of community among LGBTQ+ Jewish youth of Color. 

Can you share any specific programs or resources that were available to you during high school, or ones you wish had been available, to support your identity as an LGBTQ+ Jewish student of Color?

In my freshman year, I joined Jewish Youth for Community Action (JYCA) and started getting more involved in the following two years. There, I found many friends and a place to explore Judaism in a less traditional way. However, as we dove into deeper topics, I noticed a lack of POC voices and POC-specific support. The JAM (Jews Against Marginalization) space within JYCA helped me find queer JOC friends and mentors and connect beyond just the San Francisco Bay Area bubble. Keshet is also a good place to start!

Finding adults within spaces such as these who acted as mentors– in and outside of school– had a big impact on my high school experience. I’ve come to realize the importance of finding friends within these affinity spaces—even if they’re not the people you hang out with every day, it’s valuable to have friends and mentors you can talk to without having to explain yourself or your identities. 

If you could give a piece of advice to high school teachers, administrators, Jewish community members, leaders, or organizations about supporting LGBTQ+ Jewish students of Color, what would you say?

Listen to us!! But don’t put us on the spot. Sometimes it can feel like we’re being singled out.

To LGBTQ+ Jewish students of Color starting the new school year, what advice or words of encouragement would you offer? 

If you’re feeling lost, seek out community events! There are so many people who are probably feeling the same way, and even if you don’t feel like a specific event is exactly what you’re looking for, you will still meet people there who are looking for the same thing or might know where to find it!