“Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders”

Dr. Joy Ladin, the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish Institution, will be the guest of The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. On Nov. 7, she will discuss the latest of her seven books.

Dr. Ladin received her Ph.D. from Princeton University, her MFA in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a bachelor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence College. She is a professor of English and holds the David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English at Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University.

She was a finalist for the Lamda Literary Award; she has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for Poetry. She was also a Fulbright Scholar.

Dr. Ladin is on the board of directors for Keshet, headquartered in Boston – Keshet is a national grassroots organization that works for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) Jews in Jewish life. Her presentation will be the first public program in our Jewish community addressing the transgender issue.

The program is made possible by the Community Relations Council (CRC) and the Alliance Arts & Culture department. The CRC has supported issues of concern for the LGBTQ community, including advocacy at the R.I. General Assembly and media involvement in support of legislation.

The program, at 7:00 p.m. at the Alliance JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. Dr. Ladin’s books will be available for purchase and signing.

For more information: Erin Moseley (emoseley@jewishallianceri.org), 421-4111, ext. 108.