Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
@rjelevi.bsky.social
Ethicist, half-assed text nerd. Sexual ethics & Jewish text. Queer. AuDHD. She/her.
Current project: The Neurodivergent Talmud
Book: When We Collide: Sex, Social Risk, and Jewish Ethics (IUP 2023)
RJELevi.com
Current project: The Neurodivergent Talmud
Book: When We Collide: Sex, Social Risk, and Jewish Ethics (IUP 2023)
RJELevi.com
Pinned
When We Collide
When We Collide is a landmark reassessment of the significance of sex in contemporary Jewish ethics. Rebecca Epstein-Levi offers a fresh and vital exploratio...
iupress.org
Hey, new followers! Since I have your attention, I published a book last year!
As we face another Trump administration, it's increasingly important to make a forceful case for the moral worth of sexual divergence, and that's what I do in "When We Collide: Sex, Social Risk, and Jewish Ethics:"
As we face another Trump administration, it's increasingly important to make a forceful case for the moral worth of sexual divergence, and that's what I do in "When We Collide: Sex, Social Risk, and Jewish Ethics:"
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
1. Nearly every transgender person walks this earth knowing people like us who are no longer with us.
In writing about transgender people every day, I hold in my heart the people who are now our ancestors, and I try to bring their light forward.
These are the people I'm remembering today.
In writing about transgender people every day, I hold in my heart the people who are now our ancestors, and I try to bring their light forward.
These are the people I'm remembering today.
The People I Remember On This Trans Day Of Remembrance
Elisa Shupe, Lia Smith, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and so many more names are worth remembering today.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
1. Nearly every transgender person walks this earth knowing people like us who are no longer with us.
In writing about transgender people every day, I hold in my heart the people who are now our ancestors, and I try to bring their light forward.
These are the people I'm remembering today.
In writing about transgender people every day, I hold in my heart the people who are now our ancestors, and I try to bring their light forward.
These are the people I'm remembering today.
Stone fruits splitting?
Problematic greengage gap.
Problematic greengage gap.
Immune disorder?
Problematic macrophage gap.
Problematic macrophage gap.
Your hero got put down but Achilles?
Problematic rage gap.
Problematic rage gap.
November 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Stone fruits splitting?
Problematic greengage gap.
Problematic greengage gap.
I have spent the evening on Chewy assembling a sampler of New Foods (wet and dry) for the cats to try. Some observations:
*the range of options is truly bananas
*chicken and pomegranate flavored food? For cats?
*the number of raw options is distressing; this is unsafe and should be regulated
1/
*the range of options is truly bananas
*chicken and pomegranate flavored food? For cats?
*the number of raw options is distressing; this is unsafe and should be regulated
1/
Very considerate of my cats to decide they no longer like their standard dry food shortly after I have just refilled the storage bin with 20 pounds of it.
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I have spent the evening on Chewy assembling a sampler of New Foods (wet and dry) for the cats to try. Some observations:
*the range of options is truly bananas
*chicken and pomegranate flavored food? For cats?
*the number of raw options is distressing; this is unsafe and should be regulated
1/
*the range of options is truly bananas
*chicken and pomegranate flavored food? For cats?
*the number of raw options is distressing; this is unsafe and should be regulated
1/
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
#SBLAAR25: breakfast is one of the most expensive/inconvenient meals at conferences. on day 1 find a grocery/convenience store near your hotel & stock up on a few days worth of yogurt, cereal, etc. so you can save money & breakfast in your PJs.
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
#SBLAAR25: breakfast is one of the most expensive/inconvenient meals at conferences. on day 1 find a grocery/convenience store near your hotel & stock up on a few days worth of yogurt, cereal, etc. so you can save money & breakfast in your PJs.
I am never allowed to have imposter syndrome again, exhibit 24426634.
Things get dramatically worse for MAGA lawyer Lindsey Halligan, purporting to be a U.S. Attorney:
🧵
🧵
BREAKING: Federal judge says Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” when it secured indictment against Comey.
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I am never allowed to have imposter syndrome again, exhibit 24426634.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
A reminder that I am fundraising in support of Scarleteen! Donate today to support inclusive, accurate, quality sex ed and direct services.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
This is a moment of uncertainty and fear in sex ed. Governments are restricting access to sexual health information with tactics such as age verification laws and treating sex ed as pornography to deny young people access to information that provides them with accurate sexual health information.
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A reminder that I am fundraising in support of Scarleteen! Donate today to support inclusive, accurate, quality sex ed and direct services.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
okay, friends, let's do something community-oriented and helpful. #sblaar25 veterans, drop your best conference advice for first-time attendees. be sure to signal boost so folks across bluesky can add on/peruse.
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
okay, friends, let's do something community-oriented and helpful. #sblaar25 veterans, drop your best conference advice for first-time attendees. be sure to signal boost so folks across bluesky can add on/peruse.
Oh, wait, I've double checked, and this person actually finished at a different high school. Am I released?
The answer to this one honestly irritates me massively, and I'm just going to leave it there.
Who was in your high school graduating class, +/- two years, that would be of interest?
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Oh, wait, I've double checked, and this person actually finished at a different high school. Am I released?
The answer to this one honestly irritates me massively, and I'm just going to leave it there.
Who was in your high school graduating class, +/- two years, that would be of interest?
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 AM
The answer to this one honestly irritates me massively, and I'm just going to leave it there.
Notable names I confuse with other notable names: Aftyn Behn and Aphra Behn.
November 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Notable names I confuse with other notable names: Aftyn Behn and Aphra Behn.
It's 76 degrees outside and yet I--a person who normally runs ridiculously hot--am huddled in a blanket because my office is FREEZING.
November 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It's 76 degrees outside and yet I--a person who normally runs ridiculously hot--am huddled in a blanket because my office is FREEZING.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
Since 1998, Scarleteen has been an essential resource on sex and sexuality for young people from all over the world. It’s the foundation we’re built on, based in our core values, as expressed by our longtime slogan: queer sex ed for ALL.
November 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Since 1998, Scarleteen has been an essential resource on sex and sexuality for young people from all over the world. It’s the foundation we’re built on, based in our core values, as expressed by our longtime slogan: queer sex ed for ALL.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
Like clockwork...
It's about that time of year again....
November 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Like clockwork...
In related news, what do I do with 20 lbs of cat food that's been opened? If they'd informed me prior to opening the bag, at least I could have donated it.
Very considerate of my cats to decide they no longer like their standard dry food shortly after I have just refilled the storage bin with 20 pounds of it.
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 AM
In related news, what do I do with 20 lbs of cat food that's been opened? If they'd informed me prior to opening the bag, at least I could have donated it.
Very considerate of my cats to decide they no longer like their standard dry food shortly after I have just refilled the storage bin with 20 pounds of it.
November 17, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Very considerate of my cats to decide they no longer like their standard dry food shortly after I have just refilled the storage bin with 20 pounds of it.
A wonderful thread of some of Alice Wong's writing.
A lot of people who look like me will have a lot to say about Alice in coming days and I stand by this: We take up too much space, something Alice and I talked about a lot. I'm focusing on letting Alice speak for herself, and uplifting those she asked to represent her.
November 17, 2025 at 3:24 AM
A wonderful thread of some of Alice Wong's writing.
Tapping the sign.
Apropos of nothing and everything, a reminder to all and sundry (myself included), that there is a difference between “this bad actor might save us!” (no) and “let them fight” (yes).
November 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Tapping the sign.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
Creon's Funeral Home: Here, being dead doesn't guarantee you get buried, and being alive doesn't guarantee you DON'T.
Athena's Migraine Clinic. We will bust whatever's in there right out of your forehead
Theseus' Marina and Repairs. We can replace *everything*
November 14, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Creon's Funeral Home: Here, being dead doesn't guarantee you get buried, and being alive doesn't guarantee you DON'T.
MARTIN: We’re from Icarus Removals...
DOUGLAS: Icarus?
MARTIN: Yes, that’s right.
DOUGLAS: You do know what happened to Icarus?
MARTIN: ... Of course I do!
DOUGLAS: So you’ve deliberately named your company after the first bad pilot in history?
(Cabin Pressure, "Ottery St. Mary")
DOUGLAS: Icarus?
MARTIN: Yes, that’s right.
DOUGLAS: You do know what happened to Icarus?
MARTIN: ... Of course I do!
DOUGLAS: So you’ve deliberately named your company after the first bad pilot in history?
(Cabin Pressure, "Ottery St. Mary")
This is a real flight school, teaching people to fly planes!!! Like????
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
MARTIN: We’re from Icarus Removals...
DOUGLAS: Icarus?
MARTIN: Yes, that’s right.
DOUGLAS: You do know what happened to Icarus?
MARTIN: ... Of course I do!
DOUGLAS: So you’ve deliberately named your company after the first bad pilot in history?
(Cabin Pressure, "Ottery St. Mary")
DOUGLAS: Icarus?
MARTIN: Yes, that’s right.
DOUGLAS: You do know what happened to Icarus?
MARTIN: ... Of course I do!
DOUGLAS: So you’ve deliberately named your company after the first bad pilot in history?
(Cabin Pressure, "Ottery St. Mary")
A professor of mine once told a story of her grandchild (IIRC) saying “but he CAN’T be a rabbi—he’s not a lesbian!”
More (51%) non-Orthodox rabbinical students are queer or trans (LGBTQ) than NOT, according to a new survey.
12% are nonbinary (58% women, 30% men)
16% are Jews by choice
12% ID as a race other than white.
12% are nonbinary (58% women, 30% men)
16% are Jews by choice
12% ID as a race other than white.
What the first major study of the US rabbinate reveals - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The rabbinate is older, happier and more diverse than previously known, according to the study.
www.jta.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
A professor of mine once told a story of her grandchild (IIRC) saying “but he CAN’T be a rabbi—he’s not a lesbian!”
I have, like, less than zero stomach for horror, but I might have to make an exception for this.
The Carpenter's Son, Nicolas Cage's take on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, debuts tomorrow in the US. Not sure when it will make it to Canada. The Associated Press interviewed me for background in this preview article: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainmen...
Nicolas Cage's 'The Carpenter's Son' turns an apocryphal text about Jesus' youth into a horror film
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In the second century, as the canonical Gospels were being copied and circulated throughout the Roman Empire, another text about the life of Jesus was simultaneously
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I have, like, less than zero stomach for horror, but I might have to make an exception for this.
Apropos of nothing and everything, a reminder to all and sundry (myself included), that there is a difference between “this bad actor might save us!” (no) and “let them fight” (yes).
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Apropos of nothing and everything, a reminder to all and sundry (myself included), that there is a difference between “this bad actor might save us!” (no) and “let them fight” (yes).
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi
Reminder that donations to my personal fundraiser to support Scarleteen count DOUBLE up to the first $1,000! I'd love to hit $800 tonight, so come at me, big spenders.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Scarleteen is people-powered, NOT AI! We’re raising $40,000 for staff and volunteer health care and today, we’d like to celebrate some amazing volunteers who make inclusive, joyful sex, health, and relationships education possible. www.classy.org/campaign/scarl...
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Reminder that donations to my personal fundraiser to support Scarleteen count DOUBLE up to the first $1,000! I'd love to hit $800 tonight, so come at me, big spenders.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
I recently and ill-advisedly looked up whether ND people are at higher cardiovascular risk. It mostly turned up, “yes, because autistic people are fat and ADHDers take speed,” which was as unhelpful as you would expect.
How does one keep one’s blood pressure under control when The Situation is stronger than one’s antihypertensive drugs? Asking for a me.
November 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I recently and ill-advisedly looked up whether ND people are at higher cardiovascular risk. It mostly turned up, “yes, because autistic people are fat and ADHDers take speed,” which was as unhelpful as you would expect.