APRIL 2 • 2020 | 37
the answers will range from
“
depends” to “
no.
” You will
never find a definitive “yes”
there. Yet the Video prevails.
Its mere existence means queer
people can feel safer.
The Video is not completely
alone: There are a few queer
party lines that operate month-
ly in several LGBT-friendly
establishments, growing in
number every year. There is the
aforementioned café; and there
is the Open House, Jerusalem’
s
LGBT community organization
operating for more than two
decades now. Jerusalem’
s queer
culture is certainly growing. But
the bar still feels unique.
Throughout the year, the
Video functions as more than a
business — it’
s a second home
for many in Jerusalem’
s queer
community. A home where
you can have fun, drink, dance,
carry on deep conversations
and meet familiar faces or
new, welcoming people. A
home where you can find the
whole fabric of society: Israelis,
Palestinians, Jews, Muslims,
Christians, observant people,
atheists, tourists from all over
the world. In this small niche,
even look at a Torah scroll.
Opposing these restrictions
is Women of the Wall (WoW),
a 32-year-old Jewish pluralism
activist group that advocates
for women to have a larger
prayer presence at the Western
Wall. In 2013, WoW won the
legal right for women to wear
the traditionally male tallit,
kippot and tefillin, as well as
to pray, sing and dance at the
The author poses in the Video.
Anat Hoffman of
Women of the Wall
COURTESY OF WOMEN OF THE WALL
continued on page 38
continued on page 38
www.WalkForIsrael.org
After careful consultation
with our officers, steering committee
and host organization regarding the
health, safety and wellbeing of our
visitors, exhibitors, and volunteers,
we have made the extremely difficult
decision to postpone the
Walk for Israel until later In the year.
Thank you for your continued support
and we pray for everyone’
s safety.
TOGETHER...we will
Walk for Israel.
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