Em Duhamel
they/them
Fellow, Pittsburgh
Em is a Jewish educator, Jewish youth professional, and reproductive justice advocate hailing from Cleveland, OH. Em moved to Pittsburgh after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with degrees in philosophy and interdisciplinary studies with a focus on social justice theory, along with a certificate in LGBTQIA+ studies. Their studies focused on issues of feminist and transgender theory, the impact of mental illness on empathy and morality, and reproductive justice in the transgender community. Em taught Judaics for middle schoolers at Wise Temple for two years, served as the Jewish Life chair, president, and Tzedek intern of Cincinnati Hillel, and interned at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati in their Planning and Allocations department. In addition, they served as the event coordinator and president of the University of Cincinnati chapter of Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity. They currently are the group leader for Tzelem Pittsburgh, a Moving Traditions program for Jewish LGBTQIA+ teens. Em has been an aspiring rabbi for the past decade and plans to center pastoral care and chaplaincy for trauma survivors and people with marginalized identities in their rabbinate. In their free time, Em can be found creating art, exploring Talmud, exploring the Pittsburgh area, and playing with their cat, Oatmeal.