Israeli, Orthodox, and Gay – A Recap

Secular. Reform. Conservative. Orthodox. Straight. Gay. American. Israeli.

On November 3rd, 2010, a diverse audience packed into a conference room to welcome a panel of LGBTQ-oriented Israeli leaders to ” title=”A Wider Bridge” target=”_blank”>A Wider Bridge.

The success of this first stop came in many forms.  Anyone who looked at the program alone would notice solidarity, as the event was co-sponsored by Los Angeles-based synagogues Temple Beth Am and ” title=”Beth Chayim Chadashim "BCC"” target=”_blank”>Beth Chayim Chadashim “BCC” and ” title=”(HUC-JIR)” target=”_blank”>(HUC-JIR), and ” title=”BCC – Clergy and Staff Page” target=”_blank”>whom is the first German-trained cantor since World War II and whom opened the forum with a wonderful song that encouraged all of the attendees to join in, let go and open their hearts. Thereafter we were introduced to the guest speakers.  Though each only had about ten minutes to tell their stories, we were able to learn more about the heartbeat of Israel as it pertains to the queer community, and especially how it pertains to the Orthodox LGBTQ community.  I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with Bat Kol activist and member, ” title=”Jewlicious festival” target=”_blank”>Jewlicious festival, so I was most-eager to hear Zehorit Sorek’s story when I first heard about this event.  Sorek was the panelist who was representing ” title=”Janelle Eagle – Jewish Journal Oy Gay Blog Entry” target=”_blank”>Janelle Eagle commented, “It was incredibly empowering to hear them say ‘I can’t NOT be Orthodox’ and how strongly that seemed to reinforce all of us who say ‘I Can’t NOT be gay’.  They embodied so fully the parts of [themselves] that they recognize were how G-d made them”.  I mean, sure many of us can find new ways to approach our spiritualness as it coincides with Queerness; but it is to be brought to light that some people may just have to take a step back from religious practices, short-term or otherwise, because of their spiritual-minded nature and their sincerity to be respectful of the religious practice(s) that may have reared them in the first place.  Call it the opposite of “biting the hand that feeds you”.

In a time when ” title=”Snippet, ABC Nightline, Nov 8, 2010″ target=”_blank”>Snippet, ABC Nightline, Nov 8, 2010), it is critical for Forums like these to exist so that our community continues to tell and hear of our stories and learn about each other and about our ever changing face of inclusive and progressive Judaism, regardless – and especially if – life “happens” (as it continually will) and people evolve into different aspects of themselves during the process of their growth and/or learning. As Jewish Journal’s Staff Writer, David Suissa, related in his article “Man in the Middle” (Jewish Journal, October 22-28, 2010), it is even more important to have these Forums, discussions and dialogue, so that we don’t perpetuate hate, but instead foster “respect for the fellow Jew” (which Suissa retold from an article by Gary Rosenblatt; “Turning Hatred Into Love”, Jewish Week, 1993).  I can’t help but insert the fact that the value of these forums is even more important for the youth, even if many forums of this nature are not usually attended by anyone under their 20s (at least this was the case at our forum on November 3rd).  Because I missed seeing some younger faces in the crowd on Nov. 3rd, I asked JQ International executive, Asher Gellis, to help me get a clearer picture of A Wider Bridge‘s youth involvement and more specifically, within Los Angeles:

How do you feel about the tour being more geared for the east coast as far as involving our youth? It seemed like [the panelists/moderator] mentioned ” title=”A Wider Bridge – website” target=”_blank”>From their webpage, A Wider Bridge is “a new organization, working to create more opportunities for LGBTQ Jews in the U.S. and around the world, along with friends and allies, to engage and connect with Israel”; and on November 3, 2010, we did indeed, engage and connect with Israel by way of this wonderful forum.