Lezbitzen, Queeruv, and Gaymara: Queer Jewish Language with Miryam Kabakov and Eden Moyal

<p>Miryam Kabakov, executive director of Eshel, and Eden Moyal, a sociolinguist, discuss the intersection of queer identity, Jewish languages, and Orthodox spaces. Eden details the sociolinguistic mechanics of identity, explaining how queer Jews use playful portmanteaus like lezbtzn and Gaymara. She describes their linguistic expressions as deeply infused with reclaimed Yiddish words like umtsveyik and transminik to express their dual identities. Through Eshel's advocacy, Miryam builds communal empathy and supports queer Orthodox Jews, best expressed by the slogan, "We're here, we're queer, we're machmir." They conclude by discussing how shifting language over time reflects changing attitudes and helps Orthodox families navigate identity, grief, and religious faith.</p><p>Heritage Words – conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives – is produced by the HUC Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect.</p><p>Host and producer: Sarah Bunin Benor</p><p>Assistant producer and video editor: Kyle Elbaz Fingerhut</p><p>Editor: Avishay Artsy</p><p>Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.</p>