
Jewish LGBTQ+ organizations are organizations, communities, and support groups which focus on creating a more
LGBTQ
LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...
-inclusive environment within
Judaism
Judaism () is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic, Monotheism, monotheistic, ethnic religion that comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Jews, Jewish people. Religious Jews regard Judaism as their means of o ...
. They are dedicated to promoting
acceptance
Acceptance in psychology is a person's recognition and assent to the finality of a situation without attempting to change or protest it. This plays out at both the individual and societal level as people experience change.
Types of acceptanc ...
,
equality
Equality generally refers to the fact of being equal, of having the same value.
In specific contexts, equality may refer to:
Society
* Egalitarianism, a trend of thought that favors equality for all people
** Political egalitarianism, in which ...
, and
inclusiveness for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer.
These organizations provide a range of resources and support services, including
community-building events, educational programs,
advocacy
Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...
initiatives, and counseling services. They serve as a safe space for Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences, to find support and guidance, and to build a sense of belonging within Judaism. They not only address a societal issue that affects individuals, but also contribute to the high moral purpose of ''
Tikkun olam'' and creating a world that is more just and equitable for all.
Organisations
*
Eshel - Founded in June 2010 with a mission to build community and acceptance for Jewish LGBTQ individuals and their families in Orthodox communities, Eshel trains its members to act as advocates for LGBTQ
Orthodox
Orthodox, Orthodoxy, or Orthodoxism may refer to:
Religion
* Orthodoxy, adherence to accepted norms, more specifically adherence to creeds, especially within Christianity and Judaism, but also less commonly in non-Abrahamic religions like Neo-pag ...
Jewish people and their families. Through community gatherings, it aids LGBTQ Orthodox Jewish people in fulfilling
Jewish values regarding family, education, culture, and spirituality. It was founded in 2010.
*
The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation - The Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity at
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and remained in regular use as a first language until ...
(HUC-JIR) was founded in 2000 and is the only one of its kind in the Jewish world. Its goal is to educate HUC-JIR students on LGBTQ issues, to help them challenge and eradicate
homophobia
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, Gay men, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or ant ...
and
heterosexism
Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships. According to Elizabeth Cramer, it can include the belief that all people are or should be heterosexual and that hetero ...
; and to learn resources to be able to transform the communities they encounter into ones that are welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ Jews.
*
JQY - A nonprofit organization and support group for Orthodox and formerly
Orthodox
Orthodox, Orthodoxy, or Orthodoxism may refer to:
Religion
* Orthodoxy, adherence to accepted norms, more specifically adherence to creeds, especially within Christianity and Judaism, but also less commonly in non-Abrahamic religions like Neo-pag ...
LGBTQ youth. The website has a number of personal stories, videos, and a comprehensive list of resources for young people, their parents, families, and allies.
*Union of Reform Judaism -
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish religious movements, Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of Judaism, the superiority of its Jewish ethics, ethical aspects to its ceremo ...
has a long history of working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Jewish life and for their civil rights. The Women of Reform Judaism called for the
decriminalization of homosexuality
Decriminalization of homosexuality is the repeal of laws criminalizing same-sex acts between multiple men or multiple women. It has taken place in most of the world, except much of Africa and the Muslim world.
History
During the French Revolu ...
beginning in 1965, later followed by the
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms establ ...
and the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada. The CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world. ...
.
Religious Action Center
The Religious Action Center (RAC) is the political and legislative outreach arm of Reform Judaism in the United States. The Religious Action Center is operated under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint instrum ...
(RAC), the
social justice
Social justice is justice in relation to the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society where individuals' rights are recognized and protected. In Western and Asian cultures, the concept of social justice has of ...
division of the Reform Movement, have been at the forefront in the fight for LGBTQ equality. In addition to several congregations whose primary outreach is to the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ Jewish people and their families are welcomed in all of Reform temples today. LGBTQ Jewish people can be ordained as rabbi cantors, and they serve throughout the Reform movement.
*
Keshet - A grassroots organization which works to establish equality and inclusion of LGBTQ Jewish people in Jewish life. It is led and supported by LGBTQ Jewish people and straight allies. Keshet's goal is to cultivate the spirit and practice of inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community.
* The Jewish LGBTQ Donor Network - The Jewish LGBTQ Donor Network was founded in 2021 to build a new, global community of like-minded individuals who come together to explore philanthropic opportunities in the Jewish LGBTQ space and to translate that learning into collective action to enhance the lives of LGBTQ Jews.
* The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews: Keshet Ga’avah - Formed in 1975, Keshet Ga’avah consists of around 50 member organizations worldwide that work to ensure that LGBTQ Jewish people can live free and fulfilling lives. The organisation has held conferences all over the world to meet the needs of their members locally, nationally, and internationally.
* SOJOURN - The Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity is the
Southern America's resource for Jewish and LGBTQ programming, education, support, and advocacy. Its mission is to advance LGBTQ affirmation and empowerment across the South.
* SVARA - A
Jewish text research academy devoted to the study of the Talmud. It is open to all individuals, including from other religious traditions, who wish to participate. SVARA specifically acknowledges the wisdom and contribution to the changing Jewish culture that LGBTQ Jewish people and their allies can bring.
*GLYDSA: The Gay and Lesbian Yeshiva Day School Alumni Association - Established in 1995. Its mission is to build a community for LGBTQ Jewish people, from Orthodox or traditional backgrounds, and to integrate their Jewish and gay identities, in a self-affirming, confidential manner, through social events and other activities.
* Gay and Lesbian Orthodox Jews - A website for LGBTQ individuals who are members of the
Jewish Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism is a collective term for the traditionalist branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Torah, Written and Oral Torah, Oral, as literally revelation, revealed by God in Ju ...
community. The website features discussion of religious scriptures, as well as comments from
Orthodox Rabbi
A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...
s about the intersection of Judaism and sexuality.
* Ga'ava גאווה, the organized Jewish community’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee (Quebec) - Based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, since 2007, Ga'ava גאווה advises the organized Jewish community on LGBTQ+ issues and represents the Jewish community to the greater Québec LGBTQIA2+ community.
In Israel
*
A Wider Bridge
A Wider Bridge is a United States–based 501(c)(3) organization, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which mobilizes the LGBTQ community to fight antisemitism and support Israel and its LGBTQ community. AWB connects the LGBT communities in the LGBT ...
- Seeks to inspire LGBTQ Jewish people to deepen their Jewish identity through connection with Israel and to develop stronger connections between the LGBTQ communities in Israel and North America.
*
Bat-Kol - A religious lesbian organisation founded in Israel to allow women to fulfill both their religious and lesbian identities, and to make it possible for women to live in loving relationships, to raise children without deception, while staying committed to religion.
*
Havruta - Offers social support networks for religious LGBTQ people in Israel. Beyond being a safe haven, Havruta actively works to inform and educate the religious public about LGBTQ issues in their communities.
*
HOD - An organization for religious homosexual Jews, providing a platform for open-minded discussion in order to promote awareness of being gay and Orthodox.
*
Jerusalem Open House
The Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance (JOH, ''HaBayit HaPatuach'', "Open House"; ''Al-Beit Al-Maftoukh'') is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1997 that runs an LGBTQ community center offering educational and social events and a ...
- The Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance is a leading organization of LGBTQ people and their allies in
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...
. As a grassroot, activist community center, JOH provides services to all LGBTQ individuals in Jerusalem and surrounding communities, while working to secure LGBTQ rights in Israeli society at large.
In Europe
*
Beit Haverim - a
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
organization for
LGBTQ Jewish people founded in 1977.
*
Keshet Deutschland - founded in Berlin in 2018, to support visibility for Jewish members of the LGBTQ community.
* JPride Amsterdam - founded in Amsterdam in 2018 as a social and gathering space for LGBTQ+ Jews.
In United Kingdom
* KeshetUK - a
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
* British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...
member organization of Keshet. It was established with the mission of promoting the inclusion of Jewish LGBTQ individuals and their families within all aspects of Jewish life in the UK. The organization primarily focuses on education and training initiatives to achieve its goal.
* The Jewish LGBT+ Group (formerly JGLG)
* A social group for Gay Jews in London
* Laviot
*
Pink Peacock
Pink Peacock (Yiddish: , ) was a café and infoshop in the Govanhill area of Glasgow. Described by its founders as "Anti-Zionism, anti-Zionist" and "the only queer Yiddish anarchist vegan pay-what-you-can café in the world", it opened physical ...
, a
queer
''Queer'' is an umbrella term for people who are non-heterosexual or non- cisgender. Originally meaning or , ''queer'' came to be used pejoratively against LGBTQ people in the late 19th century. From the late 1980s, queer activists began to ...
Yiddish
Yiddish, historically Judeo-German, is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated in 9th-century Central Europe, and provided the nascent Ashkenazi community with a vernacular based on High German fused with ...
anarchist
Anarchism is a political philosophy and Political movement, movement that seeks to abolish all institutions that perpetuate authority, coercion, or Social hierarchy, hierarchy, primarily targeting the state (polity), state and capitalism. A ...
café in
Glasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
* Rainbow Jews - A history project showcasing the heritage of
Jewish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the UK from the 1950s to today.
*
See also
*
LGBT-affirming denominations in Judaism
*
LGBT clergy in Judaism
The first openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clergy in Judaism were ordained as rabbis and/or hazzan, cantors in the second half of the 20th century.
History
20th century
Allen Bennett became the first openly gay rabbi in the United ...
*
Timeline of LGBT Jewish history
This is a timeline of LGBT Jewish history, which consists of events at the intersection of Judaism and queer people.
Timeline
1st millennium BCE
4th century BCE
* c. 486 BCE - Darius the Great adopted the Holiness code of the Book of Levi ...
*
Judaism and sexuality
Jewish traditions across different eras and regions devote considerable attention to sexuality. Sexuality is the subject of many narratives and laws in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and rabbinic literature.
In Judaism, sexuality is viewed as having bo ...
*
Same-sex marriage and Judaism
Same-sex marriage in Judaism has been a subject of debate within Jewish denominations. The traditional view among Jews is to regard same-sex relationships as categorically forbidden by the Torah. This remains the current view of Orthodox Judaism.
...
*
Homosexuality and Judaism
The subject of homosexuality and Judaism dates back to the Torah. The book of Vayikra (Leviticus) is traditionally regarded as classifying sexual intercourse between males as a (something abhorred or detested) that could be subject to capital p ...
*
List of LGBT Jews
This is a list of Homosexuality and Judaism, LGBT Jews. Each person is both Jewish (by birth or conversion according to Jewish law, or identifies as Jewish via ancestry) and has stated publicly that they are bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, a ...
*
LGBT rights in Israel
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in Israel are considered the most developed in the Middle East and among the most developed in Asia. Although same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1988, the former law against s ...
References
{{LGBTQ topics and Judaism
Rights organizations
Judaism-related lists