JQY JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) is a nonprofit that equips jewish queer youth to survive and thrive
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A child in your life has come out as trans. What comes next?Parents, educators, clergy, and community members are often ...
01/18/2026

A child in your life has come out as trans. What comes next?

Parents, educators, clergy, and community members are often met with conflicting and polarized messages. Some claim that increasing numbers of trans youth reflect social pressure rather than authentic identity. Others argue that affirmation must mean immediate agreement with every social or medical request. Each side warns of serious harm, using charged language that leaves many adults feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

Join psychologist Dr. Jeremy Novich and social worker Tali Benkoe of JQY’s clinical team for a conversation-style webinar that brings nuance, clinical expertise, and lived experience to this complex topic. Drawing on their work in mental health, q***rness, and Orthodox communities, they will help unpack questions that are often difficult to ask and even harder to answer.

This Zoom webinar is confidential. Your participation will not be visible to other attendees.

Sign up at jqy.org/training

In this week’s parsha, Va’era, the second plague sends swarms of frogs hopping into every corner of Egypt—homes, ovens, ...
01/16/2026

In this week’s parsha, Va’era, the second plague sends swarms of frogs hopping into every corner of Egypt—homes, ovens, even Pharaoh’s palace—refusing to be ignored.
Frogs are creatures of duality, living in both water and land. Some might see them as halfway part of one world and halfway part of the other, but the truth is, that’s exactly where they belong—thriving in all their spaces.
For those of us in the bi and trans+ communities, it’s a powerful metaphor. Like the frogs, we can sometimes feel "too much"—too gay, too straight, too masc, too femme, or somewhere in between. But, like the frogs, we don’t need to "pick a side" to be valid. Our ability to navigate and embrace multiple spaces and identities is a feature, not a bug.
Too often, bi people face erasure from both q***r and cis/straight communities. And in the news, we are being told that trans+ individuals don’t exist. That inters*x, trans, and nonbinary people are not real because gender and s*x are binary — much like the frogs were dismissed until they made their presence undeniable.
But Va’era reminds us that even the smallest creatures can make a big statement. Our presence matters, even when it’s unexpected or inconvenient for others.
Take a page from the frogs: own your space, embrace your duality, and remind the world that you’re here, vibrant and valid. 🌈🐸🏳️‍⚧️

For February book club, we are excited to read “Planning Perfect" by Haley Neil.Fill out this form to let us know where ...
01/15/2026

For February book club, we are excited to read “Planning Perfect" by Haley Neil.

Fill out this form to let us know where to send this month's book pick!
SIGN UPS WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026.

Join the conversation about this month's book on the JQY App on Apple and Android!
**For anyone ages 13-23**

Book Synopsis:
In this charming, heartfelt YA romcom about being on the as*xual spectrum, a girl tries to craft the perfect wedding for her mother but discovers that sometimes the best parts of life can't be planned.

01/14/2026

Need I say more..?

The Breakaway will be FrumTalk- Where we’ll create a safe and open space to explore how religion interacts with our q***...
01/13/2026

The Breakaway will be FrumTalk- Where we’ll create a safe and open space to explore how religion interacts with our q***rness- and vice versa-through shmoozing, crafting and asking the big questions.

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Join us from 6:30pm-9:30pm EST at 135 W 41st Street

No need to register for drop-in center, just show up! We’ll have plenty of cholov yisroel pizza and ice-breaker games to go around. For anyone ages 13-23

If you need assistance with transportation to drop-in please apply at jqy.org/travelrequest

We will be joined by PACT to learn about consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy boundaries.We’ll also do some STI mythbus...
01/12/2026

We will be joined by PACT to learn about consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy boundaries.

We’ll also do some STI mythbusting and hear about how to get q***r-affirming healthcare!

The Breakaway will be FrumTalk- Where we’ll create a safe and open space to explore how religion interacts with our q***rness- and vice versa-through shmoozing, crafting and asking the big questions.

——————–
Join us from 6:30pm-9:30pm EST at 135 W 41st Street

No need to register for drop-in center, just show up! We’ll have plenty of cholov yisroel pizza and ice-breaker games to go around. For anyone ages 13-23

If you need assistance with transportation to drop-in please apply at jqy.org/travelrequest

In this week’s parsha, Shemot, Moshe encounters the burning bush – a moment that changes his life forever. Hashem calls ...
01/09/2026

In this week’s parsha, Shemot, Moshe encounters the burning bush – a moment that changes his life forever. Hashem calls out to Moshe, telling him to remove his shoes because the ground he’s standing on is holy.

This moment isn’t really about shoes though – it’s about presence. It’s about pausing, noticing where you are, and embracing the sacredness of your journey.

Life often feels like a long trek through unknown territory, especially for us q***rs. But even in the most unexpected places, we find holy ground – moments of clarity, connection, and authenticity. These are the moments when we recognize who we are, and instead of hiding, we stand tall, unapologetically ourselves.

Too often, we rush through life without noticing the “holy ground” we’re already standing on – the opportunities for growth, connection, and purpose right in front of us. Whether it’s the people who support us, the challenges that help us grow, or the quiet moments of reflection, holiness can be found in surprising places.

So, whether you’re rocking , , or , remember: holy ground is wherever you take a step toward your truth. Kick off what doesn’t serve you, and embrace the journey that’s yours alone. 🌈✨

Every time we hear the words "JQY changed my life," we are reminded of the profound impact we have on our community. We ...
01/08/2026

Every time we hear the words "JQY changed my life," we are reminded of the profound impact we have on our community.

We are looking back at 2025 with so much gratitude to you. This year, JQY served 1,060 Jewish q***r youth across 137 cities, providing mental health support, building community, and creating spaces where young people are welcomed exactly as they are.

Whether you've been part of our programs, shared our posts, donated, or simply believed in this mission, thank you. This work happens because people like you show up consistently and with care.

In 2026, we're expanding access to mental health support, growing our digital programs, and strengthening partnerships to make the world safer for q***r Jewish youth.
Want to see more of what we accomplished together? Visit jqy.org/2025
Here's to a year of growth, connection, and possibility. 🌈

We're starting a new project, and YOU could be part of it! We are looking for unique and talented people ages 13-23, who...
01/08/2026

We're starting a new project, and YOU could be part of it! We are looking for unique and talented people ages 13-23, who are ready to share their acting chops with the world. No experience needed. The project will be shared on JQY social media platforms. Send your name, pronouns, age, and headshot to sshine@jqy.org for consideration. Must be available to travel to the NYC Times Square area.

This week's Breakaway will be Career Conversations where we will talk about what it is like to work in the STEM fields. ...
01/07/2026

This week's Breakaway will be Career Conversations where we will talk about what it is like to work in the STEM fields.

We'll also be celebrating all of our January birthdays!

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Join us from 6:30pm-9:30pm EST at 135 W 41st Street

No need to register for drop-in center, just show up! We’ll have plenty of cholov yisroel pizza and ice-breaker games to go around. For anyone ages 13-23

If you need assistance with transportation to drop-in please apply at jqy.org/travelrequest

This week at Drop-In we will learn about LEGO robotics with TEKintellect! Join us as we learn how to put together some c...
01/06/2026

This week at Drop-In we will learn about LEGO robotics with TEKintellect! Join us as we learn how to put together some cool beginner-friendly creations.

This week's Breakaway will be Career Conversations where we will talk about what it is like to work in the STEM fields.

We'll also be celebrating all of our January birthdays!

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Join us from 6:30pm-9:30pm EST at 135 W 41st Street

No need to register for drop-in center, just show up! We’ll have plenty of cholov yisroel pizza and ice-breaker games to go around. For anyone ages 13-23

If you need assistance with transportation to drop-in please apply at jqy.org/travelrequest

This week’s parsha, Vayechi, includes Yosef’s reaction to his brothers’ apology: "Although you intended me harm, G-d int...
01/02/2026

This week’s parsha, Vayechi, includes Yosef’s reaction to his brothers’ apology: "Although you intended me harm, G-d intended it for the good, in order to bring things to where they are today and save lives.” (Bereishis 50:20).

Yosef’s words hold the complexity of harm and healing. They don’t erase what happened. They don’t excuse it or rush past it. Instead, they remind us that harm does not get the final word – and that meaning, growth, and life can still emerge after devastation.

The phoenix – a mythical bird that burns to ashes and rises renewed – echoes this idea. Often embraced as a q***r symbol, the phoenix represents transformation, resilience, and rebirth. Its cycle reminds us that healing isn’t linear, and strength doesn’t come from pretending nothing burned – it comes from surviving the fire.

At JQY, we hold this tension carefully. We never ask anyone to justify their pain or “find the silver lining” before they’re ready. But we do believe in the capacity to rebuild, to reclaim power, and to imagine futures bigger than what tried to break us.

For anyone carrying the weight of hurt right now, Yosef’s story and the phoenix offer this quiet truth: what others intended to harm you does not define your worth – or your ability to rise, in your own time, and on your own terms.

Address

1460 Broadway
New York, NY
10036

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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