“I did not transition from a woman to a man. Society perceived me as a woman. I was born female, but I’ve always been a man in my eyes.”

— Micha Yehudi

What does it mean to grow up transgender and Jewish — and how do these intersecting identities complicate the challenges faced by this group? 

As the connections and differences between biological sex and gender have sparked new debates in the public discourse, society’s focus on the LGBTQ community has expanded beyond sexual orientation to gender identity. Although many cultures have historically recognized “third gender,” two-spirited, and nonbinary people, transgender people in the modern world still face many challenges when it comes to acceptance, understanding, and in many cases their fundamental human rights.

This episode of the Living Jewishly Podcasts is an instalment of Crossing the Sea, a podcast about Judaism and mental health. Dr. Elliot Malamet speaks with Micha Yehudi and Yiscah Smith about their experiences with transitioning and how they view their lives through a Jewish lens.

Tune into this episode for a candid, insightful, and fascinating discussion about identity, isolation, and becoming whole.

“I needed to go about this really deliberately, from a place of strength, not from a place of fear — where I’m not running away, but I’m running to.”

— Yiscah Smith

This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌

• The role that one’s culture plays in reifying one’s sense of identity and the generational changes that have affected the trans experience
• What it’s like to undergo the transition process in Israel — and why each person’s transition choices are so unique and personal 
• Finding a place within one’s self and finding a place within one’s community

 ‌  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:52  Intro

02:16  Micha’s early years

08:18  Joining the military

13:41  Yiscah’s story

17:36  The role of culture in reifying identity

18:39  1960s high school experience

20:14  Caged in adulthood & leaving the Torah world

25:11  Generational changes

28:01  Micha’s transition story

34:26  Negotiating community

37:46  Returning to America post-divorce

42:24  Feeling of dying & returning to G-d

47:27  Gender in Judaism

53:42  Yiscah’s reconnection to Judaism

58:25  What to know and ask

1:02:55  Conclusion

Links:‌ ‌ 

To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:  

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Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw   

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Shalom!