2024 Issues of the Pluralist
January 1
Love is Love Adoption Equality Won
LGBTQ adoption equality: IRAC has once again made history. After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex parents seeking to adopt children will no longer face discrimination.
January 30
Equality in Times of War and Peace
IRAC Executive Director writes about sharing the burden when it comes to serving our country in the armed forces. Especially now, there is no room to discriminate between Orthodox and secular.
January 9
When it's so easy to despair, the smallest acts can spread hope. This experience confirmed my belief that we have many partners in our struggle for a better future. We will continue to fight for justice, against discrimination and incitement.
February 6
Reuniting Families in Times of War
In this time of crisis, the government and its ministries continue to drive wedges between us and impose their narrow and discriminatory definition of who is a Jew and who is eligible for citizenship.
January 15
In the spirit of King we will continue to fight darkness and spread light. We will not despair. We will continue to support the captives’ families and work to free them. We will continue to raise a voice and demand equal rights and justice for all.
February 15
Spending a week at IRAC and you see the hard work we do, the struggle for justice and equality and dedication of our staff.
January 23
A Person is Like a Tree in the Field
The sadness that envelops us after the loss of so many soldiers at one time is profound. As we move into Tu'Bshvat, and hope that as we plant trees, we can also plant hope, healing and peace
February 20
Every five years Israel holds municipal elections. This year they were pushed back because following October 7th. But they will take place next week and Orly Erez-Likhovski explains why they are especially important.
February 29
Twenty Years at IRAC - The Struggle Continues! Orly reflects on her 20 years at IRAC, the struggles and the victories for democracy, pluralism and equality & looks forward, even in these most difficult of times, to continuing to build an Israel where we can all feel at home and be proud to live.
March 8
Celebrating Victories, Recognizing Defeats! Orly reflects on cases won and lost and the necessity to continue to fight, especially on International Women’s Day!
March 11
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Orly writes about what her trip to the US means. In crisis, and this year Israel has known two immense ones: the assault on Israel's democracy and the assault on Israel and ensuing war, we find our best selves. We maintain our values and preserve that which is good while fending off the bad.
March 20
Fighting Hate, Promoting Coexistence! On the International Day to Eliminate all Forms of Racial Discrimination, we proudly wear our values at home and on our way! Orly Erez-Likhovski writes about IRAC’s anti-racism work!
March 28
Nahfoch-hu: Transforming Grier & Pain into Action! As we face so much pain and anguish and anxiety for the future, Esther gives us a model for how to respond, to bring about a nahafoch-hu that will transform grief into joy, sorrow into hope, pain into action.
April 8
Haredim - On TV & in Real Life! The irony of a series about Haredi society being filmed on the HUC campus in Jerusalem is truly astonishing given the negative attitude and even incitement of Haredi leaders toward the Reform movement.
April 15
Not an Ordinary Passover. At this difficult and challenging time, we continue to struggle for freedom; to strengthen our resilience; and to join in solidarity with all Jews to celebrate freedom while remembering those who are not free as we do whatever we can on their behalf.
May 5
Lighting a Lamp for Humanity in Dark Times: Yom HaShoah: Hannah Senesh wrote: In the bonfires of war, in the flames, in the fire
In the midst of stormy days of blood
Behold I light my small lantern
To seek, to seek a human being
May 9th
Remembering those we’ve lost and committing to a better future: “On this Memorial Day, we will remember our fallen soldiers and civilians with love and gratitude, and support the bereaved families, committing ourselves to do everything we can for a better future, a future of peace and justice.”
May 20
Bring Them Home! Orly shares the speech she was invited to give on May 18th, at the weekly demonstration for the hostages. BRING THEM HOME! She led the crowd in chanting as she reminds our leaders of their moral and humanitarian obligations.
May 27
Marching for Pride and Freedom!
This Thursday, we will be once again marching for pride and tolerance in the streets of Jerusalem, for the right to be who you are without fear, for equality for all and for the right to be free, as we think of the hostages and demand their freedom. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
June 4
Marching Together for Tolerance & Peace! Marking Jerusalem Day, a day in which the extreme right wing takes over the streets and the Moslem Quarter of the Old City, IRAC together with other organizations march back. We marched together in an inspiring interfaith event. And on June 5th we will once again take part in the Tag Meir Flower March…
June 10
Shavuot: Repairing What is Broken
Orly writes about conversion and repairing what is broken in our world.
June 17
A Rainbow Towers over Jerusalem
Orly shares her thoughts about an important success for IRAC, for the LGBT community in Jerusalem. The success is so important, especially now, in these very bleak and regressive times in Israel. IRAC knows that there will be a day after, and in that day after we will be there to make sure that the rainbows of peace, equality and democracy tower above Jerusalem and Israel.
June 25
Its All About the Money After defeating, for now, a corrupt law that would have provided more jobs for more Ultra Orthodox Rabbis, Orly writes: In the face of the government’s reckless behavior, we will not stay silent. We will continue to raise a voice against corruption and discrimination and for transparency and fairness.
July 2
Summer Time & Discrimination on the Bus As summer heats up in Israel we are prepared for an increase in discrimination against women for dressing “immodestly” on public buses. We will not accept the exclusion of women from public transportation for any reason!
July 9
Racism for Rent In this week’s Pluralist Orly discusses yet another incident of racism against Israeli Palestinians.
July 15
Long and Winding Road Toward Justice: This week Orly discusses our efforts to fight an exclusionary referral service that purposefully excludes Palestinian citizens & reports that former MK Michael Ben Ari, who, in 2019, following our work, was DQed from running for the Knesset because of racism and has now been indicted for racist incitement.
July 22
A Week in the Halls of the Knesset
The work we do is vital to building a thriving Jewish, democratic, egalitarian Israel that is a home for the Jewish people and for all people living here. Orly describes what a week in front of a variety of committees, hearings and discussions in the Knesset is like.
August 5
Highs & Low in Difficult Times
Orly writes about the different feelings as she marks the birthday of someone close to us all in the Reform movement, and who is now in captivity for 304 days.
August 12
Fighting Extremism, Fostering Hope
In these dark times, we must continue to raise a clear voice against hate and that fosters hope. We must not let extremists decide our fate as they did on that horrible 9th of Av two thousand years ago. It is our duty to promote our basic values embodied in the biblical commandment "Love thy neighbor", and make sure they set the tone.
August 19
Four Conversions and a Victory
Fighting for the rights of non-Orthodox Converts to Judaism is one of IRAC’s most important struggles. When LACO attorneys announced that Yosef Kibita has become the first Abayudaya member to receive Israeli citizenship, after undergoing FOUR conversions and years of litigation, we jumped for joy with Yosef!
August 27
A Troubled but Hopeful Back to School We always anticipate the school year. This year’s is troubled but there is hope. Read today.
September 2
Abandonment is not an Option After more devastating news about more hostages being killed in Gaza and after IRAC submitted a petition to the High Court of Justice, demanding that the state provide bomb shelters and warning systems in unrecognized Bedouin communities Orly writes about abandonment and pushing back.
September 9
Feels Like Home Orly is visiting North America this month. Currently she is in Toronto and is heading to San Francisco and LA. Read more about her impressions, thoughts and feelings the warm welcomes she receives. Home is where the heart is and IRAC’s heart is everywhere that our friends are and everywhere that we are needed and can make a difference.
September 18
The Right to Civil Burial: oday we filed a law suit against the State over Civil Burial. It is unconscionable that even in death, Israelis are coerced by Orthodox Judaism. Orly Erez-Likhovski writes about the issue, about the litigation and about what it means to be able to actually go to one's final resting place with dignity and freedom!
September 25
Back Home with Renewed Energy: After 3 weeks in Toronto, San Francisco and LA Orly writes about her impressions, the way she was energized and engaged. Read more.
October 1
Agony to Hope in the New Year: Orly’s message for the Jewish New Year. The year we just had was agonizing. So much pain, fear, disillusion. This one must usher in hope and peace.
October 7th
Remembering, Commemorating & Committing to Carry On: Reflections on October 7th, from the area itself. We must remember, we must continue, we must bring them home!
October 14th
There is No Place Like Home: Orly reflects on shelter, home, people who need to come home - the hostages and on people who have come home but needed our help to be accepted - new immigrants.
October 28
Winter Brings More Threats to Democracy: This week Orly writes about the Knesset’s winter session and the threats to democracy in store, while they continue to forget about the hostages. But we don’t forget.