Doorposts of Inclusion: Trans Pride Mezuzah as a Marker of Jewish-Queer Space

A mezuzah is a prominent Jewish symbol that designates a Jewish dwelling space, a reminder of the Jew’s covenant with God. This study focuses on the Trans Pride Mezuzah (TPM), designed to celebrate trans and nonbinary Jewish homes. The research delves into the motivations behind the creation and use of this unique queer Judaica item, exploring various social interpretations associated with this object and how they contribute to our understanding of gender and religious identity, the body, community, and space. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, I argue that the TPM represents and embodies an intersection between the trans/nonbinary community and the renewal of Jewish tradition. The decision of where to hang the mezuzah and the recitation of the prayer blessing reflect movement along the inside/outside axis. This movement encapsulates experiences of social exclusion, the essence of nonheteronormative gender identities, and bodily otherness while also expressing pride, Jewish affiliation, and sense of belonging. This research contributes to the understanding of contemporary religiosity and anthropology of material culture in queer contexts, expanding our knowledge in these areas.