Creating Our Kehillah Kedoshah

I've officially spent one full day here in the Holy Land, and I've already seen great views, cuddled with three dogs that live here on the kibbutz, and successfully led a fabulous jam sesh... Needless to say I'm having an amazing time, but there is one specific thing that I know will make this experience particularly special: inclusivity. The staff members here have stressed multiple times the importance of kehillah, or community. Here, I truly feel like I am accepted in this kehillah for my authentic self... and this is why:

Nobody here calls me "Emma", but instead they refer to me as "Em", the gender-inclusive nickname that I have recently preferred to be known as. My name on my name tag, as well as the official class roster is "Em", and countless people have asked me for my preferred gender pronouns. Every time I hear someone saying my name, I am nearly brought to tears; the feeling of knowing that who I am is more than accepted, but appreciated by my new family means more to me than I can express.

I can't believe that it's only been a day, for I have already made irreplaceable connections and bonds... I cannot wait to continue creating our truly kehillah kedoshah, our holy community here at NFTY EIE.