At first, the Jennings family received tepid support and plenty of pushback from their children’s Jewish day school, where the principal agreed to allow Jazz to attend under the condition that she wouldn’t be referred to by any gender – essentially, as an “it” instead of a “her.” The Jenningses vehemently declined that offer, eventually convincing the school to allow Jazz to present as female (though the ever-controversial bathroom discussion continued for years before she was permitted to use the women’s restroom). ...
Jazz’s memoir doesn’t speak much of her Jewish faith or background, aside from a few mentions of day school and holiday celebrations. In interviews, her mother has said that the family adopted a pseudonymous surname because it was easier – and safer – than using their “very Jewish, long last name.” And yet, in reading Jazz’s book, it seems clear that Jewish values played an important role in the acceptance and warm welcome Jazz has received from her local community. Her friends’ parents, mostly Jewish, are progressive and LGBTQ-friendly, teaching their children to be accepting of differences in others.