Support Marriage Equality in Israel

Meet Alon and Gali.
They were both born in Israel. They met at the Reform kibbutz – Yahel – during a program combining work and Tora. Gali is currently studying for her master’s degree in Jewish education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and works for the Reform movement as the Directof of Young Adult Programming. Alon is an analyst in the capital market in the field of high-tech and renewable energy. They are members of a Reform community in Tel Aviv.

Many couples in Israel choose to get married abroad. Not because they can’t legally marry in Israel as is the case with Ori and Alona, and Elizabeth and Valentine. But because they do not agree with the ultra-Orthodox monopoly over personal status.

Alon and Gali choose not to get married in Israel because they cannot legally get married how they want to. They reject the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate’s control over Jewish marriage and divorce. In Gali’s words: “We are both feminists, we’re both respectful of an equal relationship. It doesn’t make sense for us to have a ceremony that doesn’t represent our values and beliefs. The idea that my partner for life will buy me is not relevant or connected to our relationship or our life.”

On December 3, IRAC and Temple Emanu-El of New York City are going to give Alon and Gali the wedding of their dreams and at the same time make the political statement that there is more than one way to be Jewish and all citizens must be able to get married as they wish in their homeland. The ultra-Orthodox monopoly over personal status in Israel must end.

We hope to see you at Temple Emanu-El for Three Weddings and a Statement, our event celebrating the marriages of three couples who cannot or choose not to get married through the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate in Israel.

Yours,

Anat and Noa

http://www.emanuelnyc.org/