Mel King was first introduced to Kolot during a High Holy Days service after “shul shopping” around Brooklyn. He was not raised Jewish, but was surrounded by Judaism growing up and knew that he wanted it in his life. Mel met with Rabbi Ellen Lippmann monthly and began to convert to Judaism along with a cohort of people who were also converting at Kolot around the same time. As he went on his Jewish journey, Kolot became a very important place for him. Mel found a community at Kolot where he could be his whole queer, trans, and Jewish self, which was difficult to find at the time. Outside of Kolot, Mel is the Director of Grants and Administrations for Equality Federation, a national LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. He is a musician and a writer currently working on a memoir. He loves Brooklyn and walking his dog around Prospect Park.

This interview was conducted as part of the Kolot Chayeinu Oral History Project, and covers a wide range of topics ranging from Trans and Queer identity to Jewish conversion. Mel King describes in detail his search for a “spiritual home,” his relationship to Kolot, to Rabbi Emerita Ellen Lippmann, his transition, his conversion, as well as his past work on the board and his work at the Equality Federation, among many many other topics. This interview is, in many ways, a love letter to Kolot Chayeinu.

Mel discusses his queer journey from coming out to his parents at age 12 to his top surgery during his senior year at NYU.

Mel discusses his time on Kolot’s board, specifically touching on the growth of the organization.

Mel talks about his conversion process, from circling closer and closer to Judaism to formally converting with the guidance of Rabbi Emerita Ellen Lippmann.

Mel talks about his mikveh experience as it relates to his conversion as well as his trans identity.

Mel shares a memory of High Holidays in a scrappy Park Slope church, and expresses love for the feeling of community in that space in that moment.