Panel: RELIGION ONLINE: QUEER PERSPECTIVES TOWARDS SOCIAL CHANGE IN A DIGITAL AGE



893.2 - ONLINE SPACES' DEFINITION OF A QUEER JUDAISM FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: A QUEER ECOFEMINIST PERSPECTIVE

AUTHORS:
Helman I. (Karlova univerzita ~ Prague ~ Czech Republic)
Text:
While much work has been done in terms of queer identities and inclusion within Judaism and Jewish spaces, this paper seeks to define the basic principles of a queer Judaism from the perspective of queer ecofeminism, a term first introduced by Greta Gaard. To do so, this paper pays attention to three online spaces which have already made considerable progress on defining a queer Judaism: SVARA, Judaism Unbound's "Queer Judaisms," and Keshet. The author first compiles together how each online space defines a queer Judaism. Using these definitions of what queer Judaism means to each of these groups, the paper then examines their similarities and differences and furthermore proposes a definition of queer Judaism that encompasses them all. In addition, the paper examines the presence or lack of environmental concern within these versions of queer Judaism. Finally, from an ecofeminist perspective that takes queerness seriously, the article assesses the potential of this redefinition of Judaism as queer in the midst of social change and the future and what it means for online spaces, paying particular attention to its feminist and ecological potential. Given the priorities to embodiment and bodies within queer Judaism, the author, from a queer ecofeminist perspective, argues that defining Judaism as queer must also include concern for the environment.