Abby Stein
Abby Stein is a Jewish educator, writer, speaker, and activist. Born and raised in a Hasidic family of rabbinic descent, she is a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism. Abby attended yeshiva, completing a rabbinical degree in 2011. In 2015, she came out as a woman of trans experience and has since been working to raise support and awareness for trans rights and those leaving Ultra-Orthodoxy.
Her transition has been documented in numerous publications, including The New York Times, National Geographic, and others. Stein uses her platform to advocate for trans rights and religious freedom, speaking at venues across the world ranging from conferences to synagogues and universities. Her work includes educating about gender and Jewish identity, focusing on the intersectionality of these aspects in personal and public life.
Stein's memoir, 'Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman,' details her transformative journey of self-discovery and sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of transitioning within a religious community. The book has been celebrated for its candidness and inspirational narrative, helping to pave the way for more inclusive practices within religious communities around the globe.