HAVRUTA is an organization for LGBTQ+ individuals on the religious spectrum. The organization operates internally to foster community empowerment and externally to promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within religious society while strengthening Jewish identity within the LGBTQ+ community.
HAVRUTA strives to build a strong and united religious LGBTQ+ community by offering social groups and diverse activities across the country. These initiatives provide a home and safe space for religious, Haredi, traditional, formerly religious, and newly observant LGBTQ+ individuals.
The organization hosts cultural and social events throughout the Jewish and Israeli calendar, bringing a religious perspective to LGBTQ+ community events in Israel.
HAVRUTA actively engages in inclusive dialogue within religious society through meetings with rabbis, religious leaders, and religious media outlets. It fosters a robust and diverse religious discourse on LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, HAVRUTA advocates for the well-being of religious LGBTQ+ individuals by working to influence public policy, gaining recognition for LGBTQ+ families as an integral and healthy part of religious life, and leading the fight against harmful and fraudulent "conversion therapy" practices.
Mission statement:
Advancing the true and complete acceptance of LGBTQ+ in the religious community, as individuals and families.
Creating a religious queer community that allows for and creates a way of life with those values.
We of Havruta believe:
That we are entitled to live full and out lives that fit our sexual orientations and gender identities.
That it is our right to carry out religious lifestyles both as individuals and as a community.
That we should be able to be out and not closeted.
That it is the obligation of the religious public to accept LGBTQ+ people and their families as full members of the community.
That there is a need to connect the religious community and the LGBTQ+ community.