A Wider Bridge, a San Francisco-based organization sponsoring programming that forges connections between the American LGBT community and the LGBT community in Israel, is opening a Chicago office.
According to Midwest Manager of Programs and Operations Laurie Grauer, "There's been a tremendous growth in acceptance in various Jewish denominations, but there is still that questioning, "Where do I belong?' Because Judaism is not just a religion—it's a philosophy. It's a way of life and how you interact with people."
A Wider Bridge, Grauer said, looks to help LGBT individuals consider that question especially in relationship to Israel. The organization engages speakers about Israel as well as organizes trips there each year.
"It's helping people know what's going on in Israel beyond the headlines, because you see so much about the conflict and which side you fall on. Especially for Jews, it's showing a way that they can connect to the Jewish community at large, as well as how the Israeli identity is [relevant]," Grauer added. "...One of the great things about being Jewish, and you can say this about just about any cultural identity, is that there is a global connection."
A Wider Bridge has frequently had to answer charges that the Israeli government and Israel supporters use LGBT rights to "pinkwash" human rights violations, heavily marketing images of modernity in order to counter opposition from the American and European left, many of whom maintain that Israel perpetuates an ongoing persecution against the Palestinians. Organization officials maintain that A Wider Bridge is apolitical and seeks to unlock more engagement and dialogue about Israel.
According to Grauer, "Israel is incredibly progressive: You can be openly gay and serve in the army. Your partner can be recognized [for benefits] through your employer. All of these things happened through fights in the courts, and there's still a long way to go. There's also intense homophobia in sections, as you saw at the Jerusalem Pride attack."
On July 30, six parade-goers at the Jerusalem Pride Parade were stabbed; one of the victims ultimately died. Police arrested Yishai Shlissel, an ultra-Orthodox man who had only recently been released from prison after waging a similar attack in 2005.
"It was really hard for me to see that," Grauer said. "Half a world away, an ally was struck down for being an ally. Here's this man who wanted to do damage because he didn't agree with who they were. That was horrible. Even though this man acted alone, the sentiment and the hate rhetoric that people tie into supposedly religious beliefs, are horrible. It was just announced by [Israeli Minister of Education] Naftali Bennett, that they've now doubled the funds to support [the youth activist organization] Israel Gay Youth. ...It's horrible that this girl lost her life and other had to live through these traumatic events, but because of it, at least really good conversations can come out of it now."
Unlike most of the Middle East, "Israel is the only nation that offers any comprehensive protection [to LGBT individuals] whatsoever," Grauer said. "There was one Arab youth we met, a Bedouin youth, who had to leave his community in the Golan Heights and live in Tel Aviv in order not to be harassed. Even though he's eligible for citizenship because the community's in the Golan Heights, he can't accept that citizenship because his family would disown him. ...The youth did say that he has experienced racism there. Israel, like every other country, is sadly very human."
Grauer emphasized that A Wider Bridge was committed to opening wider conversations about Israel, not pushing a particular political agenda. "It starts with going there, and seeing for yourself, and having conversations. When I went there [with A Wider Bridge in 2015], there was such a diverse spectrum of people, in terms of gender identity, sexual orientation, ages, affiliation and views on Israel. It says in our mission statement that we welcome all views. We just want people to learn more and get involved."
