Kelly Whitehead

Kelly Whitehead (she/they) is a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion ('24). Kelly grew up in New York City before moving to Washington, D.C., where she graduated from American University. Prior to rabbinical school, Kelly worked as the youth engagement specialist at Temple Sinai in a shared position with URJ Camp Harlam. Kelly's love of the Jewish community formed during her summers working with high schoolers at camp and throughout her involvement in the Union for Reform Judaism's JewV'Nation Fellowship Jews of Color Cohort.

Photo of a group of diverse people at the Teen Jews of Color Fellowship

Teen Jews of Color Fellowship Empowers Young Leaders

Kelly Whitehead
NFTY's Teen Jews of Color Fellowship is a nine-month program that offers leadership development, value building, and deep communal connection by and for Jews of Color. All of these are especially crucial in these challenging times.
Progressive Pride Flag

Reflecting on Transgender Awareness Week in 2021

Hannah Bender
Eliana Rubin
Kelly Whitehead
Rachel Klein
Transgender Awareness Week is a chance to educate the public. It is important for people who are not part of the trans community to understand the oppression transgender and gender-expansive people face every day. While it is always important to affirm trans identities, Transgender Awareness Week provides an opportunity to center the voices of trans and gender-expansive people.
Kelly Whitehead smiles at the camera with one hand on the back of her head and a nature scene behind her

Audacious Hospitality Means Asking Ourselves Difficult Questions

Kelly Whitehead

I am a queer Jewish woman of Color, and it is impossible to separate all of my intersecting identities.

As a rabbinical school student, my Judaism is a key component to who I am. I live in a Jewish city, learn about Jewish practices, and constantly uncover