On this all new episode of FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD, Reese welcomes Rabbi Becca Diamond of Temple Kol Tikvah in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina. They discuss the rise of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7th terror attacks in Israel, and the importance of supporting and celebrating Jewish identity as a means to combat this oldest form of hatred. Rabbi Diamond explains passionately the significance of building vibrant and supportive Jewish community experiences, offering insights on how non-Jews can be helpful during challenging times for the Jewish community. In addition, Rabbi Diamond discusses the often complex and evolving relationship between the Jewish and Black communities during significant historical moments from the Jim Crow era to the present day. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of Jewish identity during a moment of profound mistrust and pain in the Middle East and here at home.

• Author Dara Horn's book PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWS
• Dara Horn's discussion with Yair Rosenberg in The Atlantic on anti-Semitism, Jewish life, and the uncomfortable truths about both that our society seeks to obscure
• You can find Rabbi Diamond's website here

It took some time, but having my first Tik Tok influencer as a guest on FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD was certainly worth the wait. Kellee Knighten Hough, who by trade is a theater actress, has spent the better part of 14 years using her online presence to discuss the importance of voting, of participating in this country's electoral process. From blog posts on her MySpace page to her now viral Tik Tok's, some of which get over one million views, she uses her distinctive and sometimes confrontational style to try and edify watchers on not being indifferent to the role they play in our country and the laws we all live with. We discuss low voter turnout, shifting demographics, White supremacy and its impact on the Republican party and the need to not lose hope, but to VOTE HEAUX! She yells, she cajoles, she informs, she confronts and she always, always brings receipts!

Kellee's social handles:

TikTok: @bellekurve

YouTube: @bellekurve

IG: @kellebelle09

Twitter: @voteheaux

Website: https://voteheaux.org/#!/

For anyone wanting non-partisan information on how to register to vote, to look up their own current registration or to find a polling place: https://www.vote.org

When you want to know the best way to support someone in your life who may be a member of a marginalized community, you could do no better than to ask a smart, compassionate and accomplished member of said community. And that's precisely who we have on FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD, Christopher Oldi joins us for a little "Queer 101" as well as helping us understand what's happening to Transgender kids as they face a cycle of discrimination that always seems to land on members of the LGBTQ crowd. On this Transgender Awareness Week, getting Chris' input means a lot. His career as the LGBTQ staff attorney for Legal Services of Hudson Valley, New York gives him the bona fides to share some important insights at a time when support for young people on the margins is so desperately needed.

GLAAD Transgender Resources: https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/