You Should Know

Na’ava Velkoff

Nevena “Na’ava” not published yet but my poetry Tsahàla Velkoff, 24, is can be found on Instagram. “proudly Jewish, trans, I cook all sorts of things. I and queer, and I wouldn’t want try to be vegan as best as I can. it any other way,” they said. That doesn’t always work, and

Originally from Alexan- I do sometimes eat meat, but dria, Virginia, Velkoff is an on very rare occasions. All the educator. In 2018, they worked meats are my weakness. A good with MASA Israel Teaching Fel- roasted chicken, I really like. lows to teach English in Haifa. I cook mostly Mediterranean Now, Velkoff works for Balti- dishes, from Spain, through more City Public Schools as a Macedonia to Israel and first grade paraeducator, sup- Morocco and Egypt. Anything porting the head teacher and on the Mediterranean is my teaching phonics and social favorite branch of cooking. My emotional learning lessons. shakshuka is to die for.

Velkoff resides in Laurel I also love to spend time and is involved in Hinenu: with my friends and family. I The Baltimore Justice love nature and taking time to Shtiebl, Bet Mishpacha in Wash- enjoy life. ington, D.C., and MASA Israel.

What does your Jewish How has your job changed identity mean to you?

because of the coronavirus? I would not say I am a religious Under COVID-19 life, the Jew, but a proudly ethnic one. I switch has been dramatic. am Sephardic and Ashkenazi I attend a live session every mixed and have interesting morning of the weekdays histories in regards to my to support the teacher on a Jewish lineage. digital platform and share videos I love the rituals of Judaism and visuals while she teaches. I and practice them — Shabbat, call or text parents who are holidays, fasting — with joy. I unable to connect virtually to do not study Torah — I see it discuss the state of their children, as our history book as a peoas well as the alternative distance ple, more than a religious work learning tactics. I attend weekly — and I do not often attend staff meetings and academic temple. I still keep Shabbat and planning virtually to keep up other Jewish traditions because to date and to know best [class- they just feel right. room] practice. I love Jewish mysticism. I really connect to my Jewishness What kind of music and cooking through music, specifically music do you like to do in your free time? in Ladino, Yiddish, or Hebrew. I write soul R&B. My music is That makes my heart soar.

Can you share more about your experience as a Jewish member of the LGBTQ+ community?

As a queer Jewish woman, life has been challenging to navigate with two large targets on my back. I face anti-Semitism in my daily life and have been dealing with it since I was young. I face discrimination in the Jewish community often for being queer.

In the many times I lived in [Haifa and Jerusalem], I found many of the Orthodox rejected my validity as a Jew, claiming my queerness invalidated it. It was tragic and heartbreaking.

I think I am really beautiful and pretty and I feel that I pass, but I feel misgendered a lot in public ... Now that we have to wear face masks

By Carolyn Conte

I’m actually happy [because my strong facial structure is hidden]. Also my voice, a lot of people call a man’s voice, which is unfortunate because I’ve affected my voice as much as I can. But regardless of if I had a deep or high voice, it would still be a woman’s voice because I’m a woman.

At the same time, I have built some of my strongest and most important relationships with fellow queer Jews, especially in Israel where I was part of a queer trans Jewish support group.

I wish people could understand that my gender identity and sexuality do not make me a good or bad person, They are just facets of my life, as they are with everyone. JT

cconte@midatlanticmedia.com

Have a suggestion for a You Should Know profile? Nominate your interesting Jewish co-worker, cousin, camping buddy — anyone over age 21 and previously or currently living in the Baltimore area. Email cconte@midatlanticmedia.com.