In this powerful — and emotional — Pride Month conversation, we sit down with Idit Klein, founding CEO of Keshet, to reflect on her 24-year journey transforming LGBTQ+ inclusion in Jewish life.
What began in a Boston apartment became a national force for change — mobilizing the Jewish community to help secure marriage equality in Massachusetts (where the Boston JCRC proudly became the first JCRC in the country to publicly support equal marriage), a milestone moment driven by Keshet's work.
That unified advocacy helped defeat a constitutional amendment and made Massachusetts the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Keshet went on to activate Jewish communities across all 50 states to support the Equality Act, advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people and mobilizing clergy, synagogues, and grassroots supporters across the country.
Idit shares how Keshet built community, shaped culture, and empowered a generation — from challenging Jewish institutions to move from ignorance, to tolerance, to full embrace; navigating painful rifts in progressive spaces post-October 7; and standing firm for trans youth in a moment of rising hate.
As she steps back from leading Keshet, Idit reflects on what it takes to build something lasting, what’s next for Keshet, and what’s next for her.

The film that started it all: https://www.keshetonline.org/hineini-coming-out-in-a-jewish-high-school/