Abby Stein: Quotes about the trip

“The most effective path to resistance is when the persecuted, in whichever way it is, gather to fight back, together.”

Abby Stein

2017

Way , Fight

“There is no straight way to not being straight. We (Queer individuals) all have different stories.”

Abby Stein

Speech at Nyack Library, May 15, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHXHcf47LJk&list=PLGAOZDy50dxnuaem8ls2U6285DxR9_jH9
2016

Way

“Being trans in some ways is very similar to being an atheist, in that some people don’t grasp it. People that come from different backgrounds just [say], “What do you mean you don’t believe in God?” They don’t get you. To them [religion] is just so obvious, and I feel like I keep on having that with gender, also. Some people just have in their mind very firm ideas of gender, and they just can’t get it into their head.”

Abby Stein

Source: Interview with Friendly Atheist, December 7, 2015 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/12/07/a-descendant-of-the-founder-of-hasidic-judaism-just-came-out-as-an-atheist-trans-woman/.

God , People , Religion , Way

“Society expects trans women to be perfect the way they expect all women to be perfect.”

Abby Stein

2017

Women , Way , Perfection

“I wanted to show that if you claim being trans is unacceptable in traditional Judaism, well, here is a community that is not just okay with accepting me as I am, but is celebrating with me, rejoicing with me. What I’m hoping is that by sharing my story, others in the same situation will realize that you can have your name changed in a synagogue. There are so many synagogues where you can’t, but there are also those where you can — the Jewish Reform movement, the Conservative movement. Within Orthodoxy, there’s still a long way to go. Every time something like this is done, it’s one step closer to acceptance for everyone.”

Abby Stein

Huffington Post, June 9, 2016. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/abby-stein-judaism_us_57574cbfe4b08f74f6c08963
2016

Hope , Way , Communication , Change

“People exotic-ise you [trans individuals) in a weird way. They conflate sexuality and gender, which have nothing to do with each other. If you date women, it’s like, ‘Oh, you like women, so you wanted to become one’. If you like guys, it’s ‘Oh, you’re gay, but you didn’t want to be, so you transitioned’.”

Abby Stein

Interview with The Jewish Chronicle (UK), March 2, 2017 https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/sex-change-rabbi-abby-stein-my-trans-agenda-1.433585/
2017

Women , People , Way , Guy

“[Talking about gender transition) I want to say here, in clear and bold words to all humans out there who are going through similer experiences, and especially these of Ultra-Orthodox background: "You can Do It!!! It is not going to be easy, but it is way easier than not transitioning. When you start to see the changes, and feel more comfortable with your body, you wouldn't stop loving yourself."”

Abby Stein

On her blog, November 11, 2015. http://thesecondtransition.blogspot.com/2015/11/and-time-has-come-coming-out.html
2015

Love , Way , Feeling , Change

“I loved the way Judaism does life cycle events. I loved the idea of having one day of the week off. (Even though, if I don’t believe, there’s no reason why it would be Saturday and not Tuesday). I related to Jewish music, to the food, and even the spirituality part, I’ll admit it.”

Abby Stein

2016

Love , Life , Food , Music

“To some extent, leaving the community was even harder than transitioning. I had no idea what I was getting into. I didn't know anyone, couldn't speak the language, and didn't have an education. I didn't know how to dress. I didn't know how to talk. I remember the first time walking into a Starbucks, I was like, 'OK, what's happening here?' The culture shock is just in every level, every way…. It's like being an immigrant in your own country.”

Abby Stein

2017

Education , Way , Communication , Idea

“Personally I also identify as a Jewish Atheist, which is that from a philosophical perspective I think that there is no reason to claim that the world has a divine creator, or divine providence. However in ways of relating to something more than surface human level, I connect to an idea of deeper understanding, a connection between all of humanity, and a universal connection with everything in existence. In my experience, the Jewish Tradition as well as the Hasidic Tradition (a mystical Jewish movement founded by my ancestor the Baal Shem Tov in the 18th century) via the Neo-Hasidic teachings, offers a lot of insight.”

Abby Stein

Interview with GLAAD, April 27, 2016. http://www.glaad.org/blog/interview-abby-stein-talks-about-being-transgender-woman-hasidic-jewish-community
2016

World , Way , Idea , Understanding