High Holidays 5786a

SHANA TOVA FROM JQY

The High Holidays can bring up so many different feelings, like hope, excitement, stress, loneliness, joy, or all of the above. Wherever you are this season, we want you to know you’re not alone. Here you’ll find a Rosh Hashanah greeting card to share, a letter from our clinical director, a queer Seder Simanim, 6-word memoirs that capture the spirit of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and LGBTQ-themed posters for Sukkot. We hope these resources help you feel seen, supported, and proud as you move into the new year.

To veiw or download any of these resources, click the photo you’d like to enlarge and download 

A LETTER TO YOUTH FROM JQY CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Click to download this High Holiday letter from Clinical Director at JQY, Jeremy Novich, PsyD. A reminder that LGBTQ Jewish youth are not alone during this season.

Shana Tova Greeting

Traditionally, we celebrate the new year by tasting a new fruit, a sweet symbol of fresh beginnings. This year, we celebrate all the new fruits, like the people joining our community in their own time and in their own way. Whether you’ve been “out” for years or are just beginning to explore your identity, you belong here. May this year be filled with sweetness, joy, and connection, and may we keep gathering together for good things.

Share this greeting on your social media to spread pride, hope, and visibility for LGBTQ Jews this High Holiday season.

Queer Seder Simanim

On Rosh Hashanah, it’s tradition to eat special foods that stand for the blessings we want in the new year. Each one comes with a short prayer or wish, helping us start the year with hope and sweetness. This is called the Seder Simanim, or “Order of Symbols.” Our queer Seder Simanim adds new meaning to the tradition by celebrating the diversity, pride, and strength in our community. Use this guide to kick off your year with intention, joy, and a reminder that you belong exactly as you are.

Holiday Messages from JQYers

The chagim can bring up many feelings, especially for Jewish LGBTQ youth. Scroll through to read some thoughts from our JQYers on how they approach this time of year. These voices remind us that our experiences are diverse, our feelings are valid, and you are not alone. Shana Tova from our JQYers 🌈 ❤️​

6-Word Memoir: Rosh Hashana

The High Holidays can be a really intense time, especially if you are queer. You might feel alone, misunderstood, or worried about how others see you or about your relationship to religion and your community. These six-word memoirs share real feelings, including anxiety, grief, and moments of joy experienced by queer Jewish teens just like you. We hope you can see yourself in these words and know that your feelings matter. JQY is here to support you. You are not alone.

6-Word Memoir: Yom Kippur

The High Holidays can be a really intense time, especially if you are queer. You might feel alone, misunderstood, or worried about how others see you or about your relationship to religion and your community. These six-word memoirs share real feelings, including anxiety, grief, and moments of joy experienced by queer Jewish teens just like you. We hope you can see yourself in these words and know that your feelings matter. JQY is here to support you. You are not alone.

Click on a poster to print a PDF version at home.