Registration is Closed

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is proud to be in partnership with our local Jewish youth serving organizations and with Moving Traditions to support LGBQT+ teens. For further information or resources, please contact Carolyn Linder at clinder@jfedpgh.org.

Tzelem is a safe, inclusive space for nonbinary, trans, gender-expansive, and LGBTQ+ teens. Tzelem (“image”) comes from B’Tzelem Elohim- the concept that each person is created in the image of G-d. Moving Traditions’ Tzelem groups provide safe, sacred space for nonbinary, trans, gender expansive, and LGBTQ+ teens to explore and celebrate the various ways that Judaism honors expansive understandings of gender. Like all Moving Traditions’ programs, Tzelem combines Jewish wisdom made relevant for today with positive psychology and social-emotional learning – proven methods of learning that foster well-being.

Our new Pittsburgh Tzelem group will focus on topics such as healthy relationships, stress, belonging and identity; sessions also include opportunities to meet other teens and Jewish adult mentors, and to discuss issues around transition and gender expression. Teens will meet monthly for eight sessions (2 hours each) with the Pittsburgh Tzelem group leader to explore the issues through games, art, discussion, and by drawings on Jewish teachings.