Michael Alroy, a transgender man from South Africa now residing in Israel, believes in developing tolerance and recognition of “the other.”

He will speak at the Hillel Center at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 5. He plans to talk about his coming out story, as well as his advocacy for tolerance and understanding. He will also cover his experience moving to Israel, attending an all-girls school, and being transgender in the Israel Defense Forces. Watch him come out in front of his peers in this video.

The event is free and open to all students. There will be plenty of seating and food catered by Aroma Kosher Caterers.

“Hillel is excited to be hosting this event during Israel Week to share about the diversity of Israeli society, particularly the experience of transgender individuals,” Leo Hare, co-chair of Inclusion at Hillel, said.

Sapir Levi, the Israel Fellow at Hillel, said she hopes students will “make connections with our speaker and have this person they can reach out to.” She wanted to emphasize that Hillel is an open and welcoming space for everyone.

Registration is required. Students must fill out this form before the event.

Note that there are multiple Israel Week events happening this week — students have the option to sign up for any/all the events. The option for the Michael Alroy talk is under “Israeli Speaker Lunch and Learn Closing Event.”