Yentl, Pesach, and the Power of LGBT+ Jewish Joy

Pesach (or Passover) is a time rooted in storytelling, liberation, and identity. It asks us to reflect on what it means to be free, to share our stories, and to feel a sense of belonging. For many LGBT+ Jews, that is not always straightforward.

Pesach is often deeply family-oriented, shaped by traditions and expectations that can feel heteronormative or exclusionary. The Pesach Seder centres on telling our story of liberation, something that can be difficult if you do not feel able to be fully open, or if parts of your identity are not fully accepted, for those who feel distanced from family or community, it can also be a time of isolation.

Alongside these realities, there is also space for something else: LGBT+ Jewish joy. Joy that comes from seeing ourselves reflected, from reclaiming our stories, and from building community in new and affirming ways. This is why we are especially excited to be partnering with Yentl at Marylebone Theatre over the Pesach period. 

Based on the story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, with Yentl originally being portrayed by the iconic Jewish actress, Barbara Streisand, Yentl has long been a story about identity, learning, and the tension between expectation and selfhood. This new production offers a bold, queer, playful, and theatrical reimagining, that is deeply rooted in Jewish storytelling.

At its heart, Yentl is about claiming the right to tell your own story. That makes it feel particularly resonant at Pesach. As part of this partnership, we are offering our community 25% off tickets for the remainder of the run. Anyone on the KeshetUK mailing list will receive an exclusive discount code. A portion of ticket sales will also support KeshetUK’s work, helping us continue to build a Jewish community where LGBT+ people can live openly and proudly. A special performance on 1^st April, the first night of Pesach, will also include a queer-themed Q&A hosted by Jewish LGBT+ actor and director Ralph Bogard. 

This will offer space to explore the show’s themes more deeply and connect with the story in a more personal way. As Bogard reflects, “Pesach is a time when we look back and understand the power of community, especially on what would be a Seder night. Those of us without that opportunity can come together to experience this powerful play and explore its themes in a safe and joyful way.”

For those who find Pesach difficult, this may be a chance to engage with Jewish identity in a different way. And for others, it is simply an opportunity to celebrate a powerful piece of queer Jewish storytelling. However you are marking the festival, we hope this Pesach brings moments of connection, reflection, and joy. 

With the run ending on 12^th April, this is a limited opportunity to experience something truly special.

Please note: the term “queer” is used throughout this article as an umbrella term. We recognise that not all LGBT+ people use this term to describe themselves.