Queerkeit is a way of being that finds wholeness and splendor at the intersection of queer identity and Jewish tradition. The word itself is a portmanteau of "queerness" and "yiddishkeit" (Jewish culture and way of life). Our moniker captures what we're building: a world where queer Jews can bring their full selves to their communities and practice.
Queerkeit Incubators, our flagship program, is a network of queer Jewish writing groups across the country where participants can connect, collaborate, and create the kind of art and content they wish they'd had access to on their journeys. These in-person groups are based geographically and meet monthly over a period of six months, culminating in an annual national retreat to build community and share their work. Since launching in 2023, Queerkeit has grown to include over 60 writers across cohorts in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and beyond. Queerkeit participants have written original essays, short stories, screenplays, stage plays, poems, and more. Our work is rooted in the experiences of traditional Jewish communities and seeks to transform the conversation around queerness within those communities, as well as to make accessible stories of queer Jewish life in its many expressions. We gather thought leaders and trailblazers brimming with optimism and excitement about what is possible. We are the first Orthodox-founded Jewish LGBTQ+ non-profit that is not a support group. While traditional communities search for paths forward, we know many young Jews are already living the answers. We bring them together to share what they've learned from their own journeys and to draw the maps for the next generation.