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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