Gender and Clothing

ABOUT THIS LECTURE:  Purim is a story about the shift from living with a hidden identity to coming out as truly oneself. What might it teach us about the role of clothing, either concealing or expressing gender identity? This text based discussion will frame the Biblical prohibition of wearing mis-gendered clothing as supporting the transgender experience.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBTQ synagogue. He is a deeply traditional and radically progressive advocate for trans rights and a vocal ally for LGBTQ inclusivity. Rabbi Moskowitz received three Ultra-Orthodox ordinations while learning in the Mir in Jerusalem and in Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ. He is a David Hartman Center Fellow and the author of Textual Activism. His work on behalf of trans rights began while he served as the Rabbi of the Old Broadway Synagogue in Harlem and the Aish NY Rabbi at Columbia University. His writings can be found at www.rabbimikemoskowitz.com

LM