Or Chayim is deeply disturbed and alarmed by the disruption this past weekend of the A Wider Bridge Israel reception with Jerusalem Open House at the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change conference in Chicago, Illinois.

 
We unequivocally support Israel’s right to exist. We are committed to the Zionist belief that the Jewish people have the right to self-determination in their own national and historical homeland.

We are troubled by the videos and testimonials of LGBTQ protesters demonizing and calling for the annihilation of Israel. We condemn anti-Zionism and anti- Semitism in all its forms. As we have demonstrated over the last 2 years, we are committed to standing up for Israel in LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ spaces.

We have learned from Jewish history that the hatred of the Jewish people never fully goes away and we have vowed never again to remain silent. Israel has faced existential threats throughout its history and has the right to safety and security.

We condemn those who seek to silence, censor and shut down our voices. As Jews from Orthodox and traditional backgrounds, many of us have overcome tearful and painful journeys for the right to be seen and heard as LGBTQ in our families and communities. We promise to use that same determination to ensure our voices in support of Israel and the voices of our community partners, such as A Wider Bridge and Jerusalem Open House, will be seen and heard!