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An Inside Perspective from Jewish LGTBQ+ Activists in Europe: Albert Oliveras

For Pride Month, the NOA project spoke with Jewish LGBTQ+ activists in Europe, discussing both the positives and challenges many face today. 

Albert Oliveras, from Barcelona, Spain, has dedicated much of their time to community building. They are currently working for Moishe House, helping young Jews around the world create and sustain community spaces that are enriching, joyful, and welcoming. 

“The positives for queer Jewish people right now are that many people are just not choosing to stay silent. Many individuals are choosing to represent themselves as queer and Jewish, and proudly so. 

We are looking for our own definitions. Even those who like to study Jewish religious text and sources, we are looking through those texts, and are trying to ‘queer’ Judaism – and that’s a positive. We want to connect with the text, the traditions, rituals, the community, and culture. It is our birthright to have that connection.

Sadly, it’s easy to think about the challenges. A lot of queer talent is lost in the established communities. We are often not allowed to be leaders who can really express their queerness in the way we shape community. 

Little visibility is given to us, mostly superficial. But we are not really allowed to practice that, we are not allowed to work through a queer lens, be lay leaders in a queer lens. I feel we are being asked to ‘assimilate’ into straightness, to the normativity of this Jewish space.”

I’d love to see that we can be our full selves and visible when engaging with the wider Jewish community. Because in many places we are small Jewish communities, and we can’t afford to be in our bubble.”