Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Anti-Transgender Executive Orders

January 31, 2025 – In response to President Trump’s series of executive orders targeting the transgender community, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement: 

We are outraged by President Trump’s recent tranche of executive orders targeting the transgender community, including limiting federal recognition of gender to male and female, banning transgender soldiers from serving in the military, ending federal support for gender-affirming care for people under age nineteen, and eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across the federal government. These policies are an attempt to vilify and control transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender expansive people – who are simply seeking to live their lives with dignity. These actions will harm countless clergy, congregants, young people, staff members, and others within our Reform Jewish Movement and beyond. They also come as part of a broader pattern of local, state, and federal attacks on transgender rights and elected officials from both major political parties demonizing transgender youth for political gain. 

Our support for transgender inclusion is deeply rooted in Jewish text and tradition. Many Jewish texts proudly affirm the existence of transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender expansive individuals. There are hundreds of references to at least six different sex and gender identities across Jewish legal codes and Rabbinic commentary. In 2015, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) passed historic resolutions affirming the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people — the farthest-reaching transgender rights resolutions of any major religious denomination at the time. In 2023, the CCAR passed a new resolution on advocating for transgender people. As Reform Jews, we know that deep faith and a commitment to transgender inclusion are not mutually exclusive but rather essential parts of our Judaism. 

Many in our community and beyond are scared by the overwhelming bigotry coming from the highest office in the land. At this critical moment, we reaffirm our support for all members of the transgender community, and our clergy and institutions are committed to supporting everyone affected by these hateful assaults. We will also continue to make our own synagogues, camps, and other Jewish spaces more inclusive for all people, regardless of their gender identity. The Reform Movement will continue to fight back against any attempt to deprive people of their civil rights and personal dignity. 

Join us in advocating for transgender equality and promoting inclusion within your community:

• Tell Congress to protect vulnerable communities impacted by President Trump’s executive orders
• Tell your state legislators to stop attacks on LGBTQ+ people
• Urge Congress to pass the Equality Act to provide federal civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
• Urge Congress to reject a federal anti-trans sports ban (H.R. 28/S.9)
• Download the Transgender Inclusion Resource Guide from the RAC and Keshet
• Order and read Mishkan Ga'avah: Where Pride Dwells: A Celebration of LGBTQ Jewish Life and Ritual from CCAR Press
• Read the URJ’s Quick Guide to Pronouns