LGBTQ+ Leader & Advocate for Palestinian Rights, Abby Stein, Named Senate Woman of Distinction

ALBANY, NY — On Tuesday, May 14th, the New York State Senate honored Rabbi Abby Stein as a 2024 “Woman of Distinction.” Stein is a community leader from Brooklyn, an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, and the author of the acclaimed memoir Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman. Stein was nominated by Senator Jabari Brisport, the legislature’s first openly gay person of color.  

“Abby Stein’s work has done so much to help people better understand themselves and those who are different from themselves. Most of us cannot be put into convenient boxes – our experiences are intersectional and complex; Abby has an extraordinary commitment to helping people navigate that complexity in ways that heal and strengthen our broader community. She has been – and continues to be – a force for kindness, respect, and justice,” said Senator Brisport. 

Stein – who came out as trans in 2015 after being raised as a boy in the Hasidic community – founded a support group to help trans people from Orthodox backgrounds like herself. She went on to co-found a project called Sacred Space to celebrate women and non-binary people of all faith traditions. She currently serves on the “Rabbis for Repro" board of the National Council of Jewish Women advocating to protect abortion rights.  

The daughter of an immigrant from Israel, Stein has long been a dedicated advocate for Palestinian rights in Israel and Palestine. While navigating her own grief following the October 7th Hamas attack, she quickly mobilized with her community in opposition to rapidly escalating violence against Palestinians. She has since continued to work to call attention to human rights violations against Palestinians and to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Israel and Palestine as a founding member and organizer with Rabbis for Ceasefire.   

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