Bat Kol (, , , meaning 'echo') is an Israeli organization that provides support services to lesbians who are
Orthodox Jews
Orthodox Judaism is a collective term for the traditionalist branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as literally revealed by God on Mount Sinai and faithfully tr ...
.
The organization was founded to provide support to religious women struggling to reconcile their traditional religious lifestyle and their sexual orientation. In July 2008, Bat Kol held its first elections formalized its formation. Bat Kol supports the idea that lesbian and Orthodox Jewish identities are compatible, and provides support to lesbian couples who wish to raise children as practicing Orthodox Jews.
The organization works in partnership with a number of Orthodox Rabbis and others to advocate acceptance of different sexual orientations within the broader Jewish community and Israeli society.
History
Bat Kol was founded by ten women in the winter of 2004
and as of January 2010 includes approximately 300 women ranging from age 19 to over 60. Members of Bat Kol come from various religious backgrounds and include graduates of religious schools in Israel.
Activities
Bat Kol hosts a range of various programmes, activities and meetings throughout the year. Bat is represented in both the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Gay Pride Parades.
[Sperber, Avigail]
"Bat Kol"
''Kipa'', 11 September 2006.
Bat Kol is involved in efforts to promote dialogue about homosexuality between different sub-groups of the Orthodox community, and encourages Rabbinic engagement with the issue at the
Halachic
''Halakha'' ( ; , ), also transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Jewish religious laws that are derived from the Written and Oral Torah. ''Halakha'' is based on biblical commandments ('' mitz ...
level. Bat Kol also engages in outreach and supports dialogue with the non-orthodox Jewish communities in both Israel and the Diaspora.
Joint projects
* Parents group — Bat Kol established a support group for parents of religious homosexuals and lesbians in cooperation with
Tehila.
* Advocacy project — Bat Kol works with
Havruta, the orthodox gay association, to create
Shoval
Shoval () is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located in the northern Negev desert near the Bedouin city of Rahat, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bnei Shimon Regional Council. In it had a population of .
Etymology
The kibbutz founders wanted t ...
which educates administrators, teachers and counsellors in Israeli elementary, middle-school and high-schools about homosexuality.
* LGBT youth — Women from Bat Kol have created a group for religious lesbian adolescents in cooperation with
Israel Gay Youth
Israel Gay Youth (IGY) (, ''Irgun Noar Ge'eh'', lit. "Proud Youth Organization"; , ''Igy'', "IGY") was founded in 2001 in Israel as a non-profit NGO, branching off from the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association.
Overvi ...
(IGY) organization. A parallel group for religious gay male adolescents is supported by
Havruta.
See also
*
Lesbian and gay topics and Judaism
*
Havruta Religious gay community in Israel
References
External links
*
{{Women in Judaism
Jewish organizations based in Israel
LGBTQ organizations based in Israel
Non-profit organizations based in Israel
Religious organizations based in Israel
Lesbian culture in the Middle East
Lesbian organizations based in Israel
LGBTQ Orthodox Jewish organizations
Lesbian Orthodox Jewish organizations