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Rachael Fried

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Rachael Fried
Born1987 (age 36–37)
United States
Alma materYeshiva University
OccupationNonprofit executive
EmployerJQY
Known forQueer Jewish advocacy

Rachael Fried is an American LGBTQ+ advocate, artist, and nonprofit leader, recognized for her work within the Jewish queer community. She currently serves as the Executive Director of JQY (Jewish Queer Youth), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth from Orthodox, Chasidic, and Sephardic/Mizrahi backgrounds.[1]

Early life and education

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Fried was raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, in a traditional Orthodox Jewish home.[2] She attended Yeshiva University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Stern College for Women. During her time at Stern College, she served as the president of the student body and was recognized as a Presidential Fellow.[3] Fried furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Community Organizing from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Transdisciplinary Design from Parsons School of Design.[4] Her MFA thesis, "Critical Creature Cards," focused on designing media to facilitate discussions about race and racism between white parents and their children.[5]

Advocacy and impact

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Fried is widely recognized for her advocacy work at the intersection of faith and queer identity.[6] She has been a vocal leader in promoting the rights and inclusion of LGBTQ individuals within the Jewish community.[7] Fried has spoken at numerous prestigious conferences and events, including at Harvard Law School,[8] Columbia, Barnard,[9] and NYU.[10]

Fried has written about the high levels of suicidality among LGBTQ teens from Orthodox backgrounds and has advocated for tailored support programs that address the specific needs of these individuals.[11]

In addition to her nonprofit work, Fried is an artist known for her "MonsterHearts" series, which seeks to destigmatize marginalized communities through visual storytelling.[12] Her creative projects often intersect with her advocacy work, using art as a means to challenge biases and promote inclusivity.[13][14]

Awards and recognition

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Fried has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to both the Jewish and LGBTQ communities. She is a Wexner Field Fellow,[15] a Schusterman ROI Community member,[16] and a Ruskay Institute alum. In 2022, she was honored with the JPro Young Professional Award, which recognizes outstanding professionals in the Jewish nonprofit sector.[17][18] Fried has been recognized by the Jewish Week as a 36 Under 36[19][14] and is also on the "36 To Watch" list.[20]

References

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  1. ^ JQY. "Our Team & Board". JQY. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  2. ^ gayishpodcast (2023-02-23). "Gayish: 321 Queer Jews (w/ Rachael Fried)". Gayish | Award-Winning Gay Podcast about Stereotypes. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  3. ^ "Presidential Fellows Give Back to the University While Studying Community Leadership". Yeshiva University. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  4. ^ "Rachael Fried". Transdisciplinary Design. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  5. ^ "Thesis Project : Critical Creatures". Transdisciplinary Design. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  6. ^ NY, Jews of (2020-07-13). "Rachael Fried, Executive director at JQY, an organization that supports LGBTQ youth". Jews of NY. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  7. ^ "Jewish LGBTQ group says it will fund Yeshiva University student clubs". Washington Post. 2022-09-23. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  8. ^ "CONF: "Trans/Gender and Religious Law" at Harvard Law School (March 29 and 30, 2017) | H-Net". networks.h-net.org. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  9. ^ "An evening with Rachael Fried of JQY". Columbia Barnard Hillel. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  10. ^ "Amanda Gelb on LinkedIn: Quick Q: All male panel are "manels" but what do you call a panel of…". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  11. ^ Fried, Rachael (2020-10-27). "Why Don't Orthodox LGBTQ Teens Just leave Orthodoxy?". eJewishPhilanthropy.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  12. ^ "Presenters". events.limmud.org. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  13. ^ "Our Values". The Wexner Foundation. p. Featured Artists. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  14. ^ a b Clark, Amy Sara (2017-05-25). "Rachael Fried". NY Jewish Week. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  15. ^ Katzner, Dara (2022-08-12). "Aiming for Wistful". The Wexner Foundation. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  16. ^ "Member Community". community.schusterman.org. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  17. ^ "JPro22". jpro22.org. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  18. ^ "Past Recipients - JPro". jpro.org. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  19. ^ "36 Under 36 2017". NY Jewish Week. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  20. ^ "Rachael Fried, 36, Jewish Queer Youth executive director". NY Jewish Week. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
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JQY Official Website

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