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IREP:THE ISRAEL RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION PLATFORM
About me: A lawyer specializing in
Religion and State LL.M. in International
Law; M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School of Government
I live in Jerusalem with my husband and two children
iRepThe Israel Religious Expression
Platform
Global Planning Table
iRep’s Mission To create sustained increase in religious
pluralism in Israel, and strengthen Israel’s relationship with North American Jewry based on mutual recognition of and respect for diverse Jewish expressions.
iRep acts by supporting Israeli civil society organizations who do education and awareness building to advance meaningful change to the religion-state status quo.
Who we are?
iRep
Ann Arbor Bosto
nCincinnat
i
Colorado
Greensboro
Dallas
Kansas City
Los Angel
esMetro West
Miami
Milwaukee
Washington DC
Western Massachus
etts
San Francisc
o
New York
St. Louis
Who we are?
iRep
Ann Arbor Bosto
nCincinnat
i
Colorado
Greensboro
Dallas
Kansas City
Los Angel
esMetro West
Miami
Milwaukee
Washington DC
Western Massachus
etts
San Francisc
o
New York
St. Louis
Morningstar
Foundation
Bronfman
Foundation
Expanding the range of legally-recognized options for marriage in Israel
Marriage
Why Marriage?Positive – we are adding options
Touches every Jew, current or potential resident of Israel
Affects our joint project of Jewish Peoplehood
Important implications
Why is this important? About 660,000 people cannot marry at
all under Israeli law People can only marry within their
religion: an Oleh with (only) a Jewish father cannot marry a Jew.
No civil marriage, no marriage for LGBT, and people cannot chose to be married by their Reform or Conservative Rabbi
Support for alternative marriage options
66% support official recognition of all forms of marriage (Reform, Conservative, and civil)
75% support civil marriage
Our goal
How?
Bottom up approachPersonal engagementCreate massive grass roots movement to support change in the marriage laws.
Partnering with Israeli organizations
71% of Israeli Jews believe the Rabbinate’s monopoly distances Jews from Judaism
76% believe Israel should allow same-sex couples to get married or have civil unions
60% of Israeli Jews welcome support from the American Jewish community in promoting marriage freedom in Israel.
What are the
chances?
Things are starting to move
Things are starting to move25% of national religious public supports civil marriage
9% of couples not married through the Rabbinate today are orthodox.
What’s Next?Forward trend needs to be cultivated and supported
iRep will continue building grassroots support within targeted groups
General44%
FSU immigrants15%
Religious10%
Haredi11%
Arab20%
Population in Israel
Engagement with NA Bring the discussion on marriage
freedom to Federations Through educational tools, stories –
create a discourse within NA Jewry on the issue and make you better delegates to discuss the issue of marriage freedom on your visits to Israel and meetings with Israeli decision makers
