Hi! We are Living Bayou, a group dedicated to creating a Queer Normative space to engage in Jewish Study and Ritual.

Krythe Elaine Arensman

Krythe-Elaine Arensman is a Jewish, queer/trans, AuDHD woman. She was born in Corpus Christi, spent a few years in her youth in South Carolina, before ending up in Greater Houston for most of her adult life. Over the winter of ‘26 she made the leap to move across country to Portland, OR.

During the lock-down in 2020, she found herself deeply drawn to the Judaism of trans Jewish social media creators. Early the next year, she started intro to Judaism classes at Congregation Emanu El in Houston and finished her conversion on the third day of Xanukkah, 28 Kislev, 5783. Since then Krythe-Elaine has studied with Judaism Unbound’s UnYeshiva, Mayim Chayim, and Svara. She and her chevruta (and Queer-Romantic Partner), Em Merrell, have, alongside their studies, crafted and hosted several queer & trans rituals for the Houston Queer & Jewish community. They are excited and looking forward to continuing their ritualcraft work in their new home city of Portland, OR. Krythe-Elaine desires to craft a safe and welcoming place for queer community to practice ritual and spirituality.

When not engaged in work or activism, Krythe-Elaine likes to spend time playing role playing games and on the bouldering wall at her climbing gym. She also enjoys spending time with her partners Em, Jenn & Sah; her three cats - Molly, Missy, and Percy - and her dog, Titus.

Em Merrell

Em Merrell is a nerdy, creative, Jewish trans woman. Em is interested in using Jewish Ritual and Philosophy to create spaces where trans and queer people can collectively ground, feel, process, and ultimately be inspired to build a more beautiful world together.

After her transition, she became more active in her local community, beginning with facilitation work for her local trans support group, then playing clarinet in the Houston Pride Band, and, now, event organizing. She has designed and produced rituals for the Queer and Trans Liberation Seder as well as for Trans Day of Remembrance with her creative partner, Krythe Elaine. While working on these rituals, she fell in love with Jewish tradition and practice leading to her conversion in December 2025. Outside of community, she enjoys exploring life with her wife Kaitlin, bouldering, relaxing with her cats, reading, creative writing, movies, and, just, being surrounded by books.

Em and her wife moved from Houston to Portland, OR in March of 2026 and has been attending services at Congregation Shaarie Torah and Shir Tikveh PDX. She hopes to continue creating spaces for meaning in her new home in Portland.