Shoval - All is created for your glory (Hebrew: שׁב"ל - שהכל ברא לכבודו) is an initiative of Jewish orthodox lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Israel that actively promotes tolerance and understanding of LGBT people within religious communities in Israel through meeting with educators. [1] It is a cooperation of gay men from Havruta, and lesbian women from Bat Kol, and is supported and promoted by these organizations. The organisation's name derives from the second of the Sheva Brachot.
Mission statement
Shoval promotes tolerance and understanding of LGBT people within the religious communities in Israel. Shoval's main focus is to create a safe place within the religious communities in Israel for LGBT adolescents. It provides educational programs that are directed at educators, social workers, and people that affect LGBT adolscents directly, in order to raise awareness about LGBT issues.
Core values
Shoval members hold to the following core values:
- Sexual orientation and gender identity are significant and central parts of a person’s life.
- Acceptance and being at peace with one’s sexual orientation is the way to an ethical life of health and fulfillment.
- There should be a place within religious society for LGBT people, without contradiction or denial.
- The religious society has a responsibility for the physical and mental well being for all youth with alternative sexual orientation and alternative gender identities.
See also
References
- ^ Harris, Ben. "For religious gays in Israel, new initiatives are providing hope", JTA, 24 January 2010.
External links
- Shoval - All is created for your glory (official site) (Hebrew)
- Shoval on Havruta web site - A call for religious educators (Hebrew)