The mission of Agudah is: To work for the full legal, social and cultural equality of the Israeli GLBT community. To provide support and social interaction for GLBT persons and enhance a sense of communal cohesion. To educate the general public and widen the sphere of understanding and pluralism within Israeli society. Close

ALEPH is a social and support group for Jewish men of all ages who identify as gay, bisexual or just not straight including those men who are questioning or confused about their sexuality. In addition to offering social contact in relaxed and friendly settings, Aleph offers confidential and anonymous support. They formed in 1995 and have a small but dedicated group of men. This group is for men over 30; Young Aleph provides services for ages 16-29. Close

BaGeLs stands for Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Students and is the division of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) that looks after the interests of Jewish LGBT students during their time at university in the United Kingdom. They provide both support and events for socializing. There are reps on campus to help students organize and attend events.

Send an email to bagels@ujs.org.uk to be kept up-to-date with the latest BaGeLs News.

• Visit www.ujs.org.uk/bagels
• Search for the BaGeLs group on www.facebook.com and send a group request
• www.myspace.com/bagelsujs

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This organization is in Israel and was founded to allow women to fulfill both their religious and lesbian identity; to make it possible for women to live in loving relationships, to raise children without deception, but nevertheless stay committed to their religion. Starting with ten founders in the winter of 2005, Bat-kol has grown and as of June 2007 includes some 100 women whose ages range from 19 to forty plus. Members of Bat-kol come from various religious backgrounds. Some have established a gay family and raise children; others are still in the closet and are struggling with the difficulties involved. Bat-kol organizes annual meetings and social activities for religious lesbians. These meetings allow mutual support as well as create a social framework. In addition, Bat-kol setup a support group for mothers of religious homosexuals and lesbians. These meeting allow the parents to share their experiences and gain strength from the understanding that they are not alone in the struggle.

The website is in Hebrew, but there is a link to translate their purpose and goals into English. Close

Beit Haverim is a 28 year old organization, which makes it one of the older GLBT organizations in France. Our vocation is to offer to our members and friends a place to meet, think, develop themselves, and when needed, assume their (often) "double identity". We are an open, broad minded, mixed organization. Men, women, Jews or not, LGBT or not, we welcome everyone! We are a non-religious organization (as opposed to a congregation). We gather close to 1000 members and friends. Beit Haverim is present all over France, and we have many scheduled activities in Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, and Nice. Please see our website for details and dates of activities (such as our participation in Paris Gay Pride on June 25th). Beit Haverim
3 rue Keller
75011 Paris
FRANCE
Telephone: 011.33.1.40.40.00.71
Email Address: contact@beit-haverim.com Close

This is a membership group in Notting Hill, London for people who feel "that life in and around traditional synagogues offers only a traditional welcome, no real place and no recognition of their legitimate needs as Jewish people." They host weekly services (alternating between Friday and Saturday), holiday celebrations, cultural programs and much more.

Beit Klal Yisrael
PO Box 1828
London W10 5RT
Phone: 020 8960 5750
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Dayenu was conceived in 1999 as a cooperation between the local lesbian and gay Jewish groups to enter a combined float in the 2000 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Shortly after the parade, the group formalized and agreed to operate in order to bring more permanent resources for Jewish Gays & Lesbians and their partners, friends and family, such as to 1) Provide outreach and support; 2) Deliver educational information and public representation; and, 3) Organize social activities. What does Dayenu mean? An article written by one of our members explains that the word is loosely translated as "enough". The word has numerous applications but as is written in the article, we use it to capture our reaction to the ignorance, denial, narrowmindedness and mistreatment that has constantly vexed Jewish gays and lesbians and their families. Email address: info@dayenu.org.au
Telephone: 011-61-425-266-649 Close

Keshet is a social connection group in the Greater Portland — Vancouver Metropolitan area for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews and their spouses, partners, significant others and good friends, whether Jewish or not. Keshet schedules monthly potluck socials and programs on alternating 4th Fridays and 4th Sundays, and celebrates major Jewish holidays together. For more information, good friends and good food, contact us. Email address: info@dayenu.org.au
Telephone: 503-226-7079 Ext. 14 Close

Their purpose is to provide a safe space for people to integrate their Jewish and gay identities, in a self-affirming, positive manner, through discussion, socializing, and other activities. Their goal is to establish a friendly and supportive community for lesbian and gay yeshiva and day school alumni, and all others with a commitment to their Jewish heritage. Close

GesherCity is a portal to the Jewish community for people in their 20s and 30s. St. Louis has a Queer Jews Cluster (group of people with similar interests) that organizes events like movie showings of films with queer and Jewish themes, social events like happy hours, a queer Shabbat dinner and discussions of gender and sexuality issues within Judaism. GesherCity is a regional site and in order to access information about this LGBT Cluster, you must register as a member and choose St. Louis as your portal city. Close

"The Other 10%", HaAsiron HaAcher (or just HaAsiron), is the GLBT student organization in Jerusalem. Their site is in Hebrew but there is a button for the English version. This organization is the largest student group (in number) and the most active (in quality) on the campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Founded in 1991, it is very proud of its list of hundreds of members which grows every day. "The Other 10%" existed well before other GLBT community organizations. It was the second GLBT organization in Israel, and the first in Jerusalem. The Other 10%" is active in two main areas: The first includes cultural, communal, and university activities; the second area involves politics and community issues. Close

The Israel AIDS Task Force is "the main and oldest public body in Israel dealing with AIDS." The website is in Hebrew only and contains statistical information about AIDS in Israel as well as a listing of organizations dedicated to AIDS/HIV treatment, care and research in Israel. The site offers a monthly newsletter about IATF activities and other AIDS/HIV related activities throughout Israel. Close

The Israeli Gay Youth Organization operates on a voluntary basis and targets two segments : Youth of ages 15-18 and another group of youth aged 18-23, above the age of army conscription. The Israeli Gay Youth Organization is now an independent organization (Amuta), yet remains loosely affiliated with the Organization for Gay and Lesbians in Israel ("Aguda"), a nonprofit nationwide organization promoting the status of the GLBT community in Israel since 1975.

The organization supports youth through the difficult stages of defining their sexual orientation, which are often confusing and painful. During this period, teenagers become aware of their sexual feelings. In addition, the organization provides the framework for out-of-the-closet youth who are willing to contribute to the struggle for gay youth status, promoting equal rights and the fight against hatred and homophobia. IGY - Israeli Gay Youth
5 Yavne St.
Tel Aviv 65791
Israel
Telephone: 011. 972.3.560.0958
Email address: office@igy.co.il Close

"Just as a hidden Memory is forgotten... If History is hidden, then history is forgotten!" The IALBCHS has over 150 members in 11 countries. The International Association of Lesbian and Gay Children of Holocaust Survivors is the proud recipient of the Rainbow Award for January 1998. Email: rick.landman@nyu.edu Close

This is the oldest organization for LGBT Jews in the world and is based in London. They are primarily a social group and most of their events tend to be more liberal. Some of their popular events include: monthly women's restaurant night, monthly 'Chavura' (Hebrew for meeting of friends) to celebrate the start of Shabbat, monthly men's pub or restaurant nights and of course, celebrations to mark the Jewish Festivals, e.g. Seder night for Pesach, social events for Purim, Rosh Hashana and Chanukah. Close

Jewish Lesbian Group of Victoria started in 1992 and has held monthly meetings ever since. The group is multi-generational, cross-denominational and celebrates the Jewish holidays together. Their website also includes an anthology of personal essays on being Australian Jewish Lesbians. Close

Jewish Mosaic partners with Jewish organizations, communities, and individuals of every denomination to create a world where all Jews are fully included in communal life, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Founded in summer 2003 and based in Denver, Colorado, Jewish Mosaic is the first national organization dedicated to helping the Jewish world become more open, accessible, and welcoming to LGBT Jews and their families. Jewish Mosaic is a managed project of the Shefa Fund. Jewish Mosaic resources include an LGBT Resource Library, Movement Overviews, Torah Queeries in English and Spanish (a weekly queer drash on the week's Torah portion) and a transgender resource section written by Rueben Zellman and Rabbi Elliot Kukla.

Torah Queeries: Español – Visítenos regularmente para lecturas creativas e incisivas desde una perspectiva "queer" de la porción semanal de la Torah o de los festivales judíos, elaboradas por algunos de los más dinámicos escolásticos del mundo judío, rabinos, activistas y líderes comunitarios. Close

The Jerusalem Open House (JOH) is a grassroots, activist organization of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and their allies headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel. The goal of the Jerusalem Open House is "to facilitate a breakthrough into a new era of vocal LGBT self-advocacy, catalyzing the creation of a more tolerant society in Israel". The JOH has two overlapping programs areas: to provide direct services designed to build the LGBT community in Jerusalem, and advocating for social change on issues of concern to LGBT constituents, taking action to promote the values of tolerance and pluralism in Jerusalem. The JOH community center provides an LGBT space that is open, safe, affirming, and visible for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Close

Jewish OutLook has three main aims and objectives to the formation of the Jewish OutLook Organization:
Firstly, there is a real need for a support network to be offered to Jewish LGBTI people who are in the process of coming out. This can enable individuals to deal with often very strong feelings of alienation and isolation. Parents at the Trembling screenings also expressed a need for a support group in which to share experiences and to discuss how to deal with the coming out of their children.

Secondly, there is a real need for a social environment in which Jewish LGBTI people can meet one another. There are many cultural similarities as well as parallels in the experience of Jewish LGBTI people and many individuals have expressed the need for social settings in which to meet one another. Finally, It is felt that there is a need for political presentation LGBTI people within the Jewish Community. Jewish people need some presentation in the LGBTI community, for instance, by creating alliances and social networks with like-minded groups of other faiths. Telephone Support Line: 011.27.762.15.8600
Email: info@jewishoutlook.org.za Close

Jewish Queer Youth is a social/support group made up of frum/formerly frum* gay, bi, trans and lesbian Jews ages 17-30. They meet regularly for monthly meetings and informal social get togethers. In addition they have an anonymous online discussion group. On this site one can find out more about the experiences of being young, gay and frum. You'll also learn how one can become part of the JQYouth community and meet other young frum gay Jews. JQYouth is New York based, but they have members all over the world.

*Frum includes: "modern orthodox, yeshivish, chasidish and traditional-conservative" Close

The mission of J Pride is to reach out to the Jewish lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, encourage LGBT individuality and Jewish identity, and create opportunities for interconnections of the LGBT community. J Pride seeks to foster inclusion of the Jewish LGBT community within the larger Jewish community of San Diego. J Pride is a collaboration between the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, and the San Diego LGBT Center, as well as representation from Jewish Family Service, the United Jewish Federation (UJF), and the San Diego Rabbinical Association. Close

JQ International is committed to the advancement of Jewish equality of sexual and gender identity through social and educational programming. JQ International's website is currently under construction, but you still have access to their old site. Close

Tufts Hillel is known nationwide for its inclusiveness and extensive educational programming, and JQUEST welcomes all LGBT students and supporters to experience this. Inspirational speakers and enriching educational programs are offered by JQUEST at Tufts Hillel–a welcoming and safe-space environment for all. Programs include: a special LGBT and ally Shabbat to promote acceptance along with tradition in Judaism, a screening of "The Second Coming" - a movie relevant to LGBT issues in the Jewish community, and the big event of a commitment ceremony to take place in the spring. Past events have included Lunch and Learns with a local conservative rabbi, screening of "Trembling Before G-d", and speaker Rabbi Steve Greenberg, the first openly gay orthodox rabbi. Close

Keshet is the pluralistic association of Jewish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and allied (GLBTQA) students. This group encourages awareness of GLBTQA issues, inspires GLBTQA advocacy, builds and maintains alliances with the ally community, and creates a comfortable social atmosphere for GLBTQA students. Keshet promotes full religious and social equality for Jews of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Keshet is a Washington University Jewish Student Union Group advised by Hillel staff. Close

Keshet seeks to create a fully welcoming and inclusive Jewish community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews in Greater Boston. Keshet develops leadership for change among GLBT Jews and allies to effect concrete changes in Jewish institutions' policies and cultures. Keshet also creates opportunities for GLBT Jews to come together, celebrate, and explore our Jewish identities in an affirming environment. Close

Keshet's mission is:

• To develop studies and institutional opportunities that focus on sexual diversity and inclusion within the Jewish community.
• To use and promote social, cultural, political and educational venues within the Jewish community to raise awareness about oppression based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• To promote the production of critical thinking and equal opportunities in education through access to information about sexual diversity within the Jewish community.

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Within the Conservative movement, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews do not yet have full equality. Keshetcongregations.org is an organization of Conservative-movement-affiliated congregations and individual congregants in the Conservative Movement who believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews should have equal rights in our congregations, be able to fully participate in positions of professional and lay leadership, and be ordained as rabbis and cantors through Conservative movement institutions. Close

Keshet, formed at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2002, aims to: Explore the Jewish texts and interpersonal elements that impact the issue of homosexuality and Conservative Judaism; Educate the broader Conservative community about the aforementioned resources; Advocate for social and religious equality for Jews of all sexual orientations within the Conservative Movement. While comprised primarily of students, Keshet is also supported by some JTS faculty members and JTS graduates. Keshet is also proud to partner with Dror Yikra, their sister organization at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in L.A., CA. Close

Keshet-Rabbis hold that GLBT Jews should be embraced as full, open members of all Conservative/Masorti congregations and institutions. Through their understanding of Jewish sources and Jewish values, they affirm that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews may fully participate in community life and achieve positions of professional and lay leadership.

Keshet-Rabbis has been established in order to connect gay-friendly Conservative rabbis with one another, to serve as a collective voice of gay-friendly Conservative rabbis, and to offer a point of contact for Conservative/Masorti Jews who are themselves GLBT or who care about GLBT issues. Keshet-Rabbis is not an official arm of the Rabbinical Assembly and is not endorsed by the Rabbinical Assembly. It is a free association of rabbis who are members of the Rabbinical Assembly and who subscribe to the rationale and objectives of Keshet-Rabbis. Close

Founded in the fall of 2003 by students and Hillel staff at the University of Toronto, KULANU ("all of us" in Hebrew) is a Jewish LGBTQ social group affiliated with Hillel of greater Toronto. Kulanu continues an extensive tradition of queer Jewish programming in Toronto, beginning in 1975 with Hamishpacha, followed by groups such as Congregation B'nai Kehilla, Chutzpah, Nice Jewish Girls and Congregation Keshet Shalom. Close

The name of our group, Mishpacha, is the Hebrew word for "family," reflecting the essence of our community. We are truly that, coming together to agree and disagree, bound by the human ties that connect us and by our unique sexual and gender identities and links to the Jewish past. We are Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, secular, liberal ; we come from a rainbow of backgrounds. All are welcome in our mishpacha. Join us for a meeting or dinner; come once or come all the time! Close

Founded in 1997, NUJLS is the National Union of Jewish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex Students. NUJLS holds an annual conference in the early spring on a different college campus each year. These conferences feature speakers, text study, and workshops on topics such as Judaism and queerness, activism, relationships, ethics, coming out, and politics, as well as providing an opportunity for students to build community, network, and practice Judaism in a queer context. NUJLS welcomes Jews of all backgrounds and practices from Orthodox to Renewal, from those just beginning their conversion process to those born Jewish.

Starting in 2007, NUJLS also offers a small grant and training program for queer Jewish students organizing on their campus, beginning queer Jewish student groups, or existing student groups. NUJLS also offers ally trainings for those in the Jewish and queer communities who work with students. Close

Nehirim, a spiritual initiative for GLBT Jews, is an independent organization devoted to transdenominational, queer Jewish spirituality. Based in New York City, Nehirim creates spiritual community for GLBT Jews, integrating the wisdom of the Jewish tradition, the unique perspectives of sexual minorities, and an experiential relationship with the Divine. Nehirim proclaims that being queer and Jewish is not a predicament! They have unique perspectives on God, community, love, Torah, and Israel -- and they have a remarkable, hidden history of generations of scholars, mystics, and poets. Nehirim celebrates the unique spiritual gifts of being Jewish and gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. Close

The purpose of the Orthodykes site is to provide a home on the Internet for Orthodox Jewish lesbians. At the moment, there are OrthoDykes groups in New York, in Israel and on the Internet. In the section, Frequently Asked Questions, an attempt is made to explain the intersection of Lesbianism and Halakha from Tannaitic, Talmudic, and Rishomin sources. Close

Orthogays is self-described as a "community of 'frum' Jews", principally in New York, but also from the world over, connected via their website. On the site, one can find resources and answers to such questions as: "Is it possible to be gay and frum (a religious observant Jew)? What does the Torah say about homosexuality? What can I do about sex as a frum gay Jew?" In addition, suggestions are made for good books to read, discussion groups to join (in New York and Los Angeles, to name a few cities), and information of safer sex and HIV testing. There is an e-mail address for more information about the Orthogay community. Close

The mission of the Atlanta based Rainbow Center is to offer a compassionate Jewish response to gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning people and their families by delivering support, education and resources. The Rainbow Center will provide educational resources and sensitivity training for the Jewish community as well as people of all faiths and beliefs in order to foster understanding, inclusion, and respect of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning people. Close

Tirtzah is a community of frum queer women who gather to celebrate and study their yiddishkeit. They are committed to the value of shleimut (wholeness) and to supporting one another in observing a meaningful, integrated, honest and joyful Jewish life. Tirtzah has an e-mail discussion list, a blog, and meetings/events in the NYC area. Close

SVARA, led by Rabbi Benay Lappe, is a traditionally radical yeshiva dedicated to the serious study of Talmud, the record of a Jewish tradition that has always been radical. Their mission is to provide serious Talmud study as a spiritual practice to all who want to learn, in an environment that recognizes as crucial the insights of transgender, intersex, queer, lesbian, bisexual and gay Jews as well as those of other religious backgrounds.

All texts are taught in the original Hebrew/Aramaic, but most classes are open to students who have no experience in Talmud study and minimal Hebrew skills. An ability to decode the Hebrew alphabet (merely sound out the letters) is the minimum requirement for most classes. Students are taught how to use Talmud dictionaries and reference works and given supplementary materials to help them along. Learning is done b'chevruta, in paired partnership, and students learn to master the texts to the point of "ownership." You don't have to be queer to attend SVARA but SVARA is a queer space.

To bring a SVARA-On-The-Road bet midrash program to your community, contact info@svara.org or call (224) 392-8022. Close

The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews : Keshet Ga'avah consists of around 50 member organizations in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The World Congress holds conferences and workshops representing the interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender Jews around the world. The focus of these sessions varies from regional, national, continental, to global.

The Hebrew subtitle Keshet Ga'avah - Rainbow of Pride - emphasizes the importance of Hebrew and of Israel to the World Congress. Close

The site is in German except for the following information which appears in English.

Together we make up a framework in which we celebrate our gayness in the Way of Yachad (Hebrew for together). We do not consider our group(s) as an alternative to the other institutions of Germany's Jewish Community. Yachad should be in addition to the Jewish life in this country.

At the moment we have several regional groups. They carry out their activities on their own. Besides monthly meetings - sometimes private, sometimes in public (Cafes, Restaurants, etc.) - we make have our own parties, excursions and meetings/services for the Jewish Holidays as well.

The annual Christopher Street Day Parades in the different cities are a chance for Yachad chapters to participate in the parade/ festivities, and for members to visit each other.

Internationally, we are in excellent contact with other Jewish Gay and Lesbian Groups in the Netherlands, in Austria, Great Britain, France and the USA, and other countries as well. In the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations, Yachad is a member, with other Jewish Gay Organizations around the world. As a Jewish group, we declare our solidarity to the Gay and Lesbian Movement in Israel, where we have very good relationships to their organizations. Close