A Wider Bridge Impact Grants

HIV/AIDS Task Force Israel

Israel’s scientific community is a leading source of cutting-edge research on HIV/AIDS, saving lives and improving quality of life. Several months ago, Israel approved PreP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis), a pill to prevent the HIV infection widely used here in the U.S. Yet HIV infections in Israel remain steady in three at-risk populations: the gay male community (MSM), the asylum-seeker community from Eritrea and Sudan, and active and rehabilitating drug users.  The Taskforce is Israel’s national HIV/AIDS policy, education and outreach organization. With our Impact Grant, The Taskforce will deploy more mobile testing units to the periphery of Israel, to increase the number of HIV/AIDS testing in areas that need support most.Learn more

Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance

In a city divided by religious, cultural and political identities, Jerusalem Open House (JOH) is a community center that brings people together. Walk into their modest space, and you’ll see religious orthodox gay men interacting with Arab queer women, and LGBTQ seniors playing board games with LGBTQ youth. JOH not only provides a safe space for residents in this traditional city, it also serves as a platform for change in Israel’s capital. Unlike Tel Aviv Pride, The Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance, organized by JOH, is a true demonstration. In 2015, 15-year-old Shira Banki was murdered while marching with her friends, transforming this annual event into a national demonstration for LGBTQ acceptance and rights. Our Impact Grant supports programming and the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance. Learn More.

Bat Kol and Havruta, the LGBTQ Religious Community

LGBTQ orthodox Israelis, like their peers in Brooklyn and Baltimore, are often presented with a binary choice between their religious communities and their LGBTQ identities.Bat Kol, the organization for religious queer women, and Havruta, the organization for religious GBT men, are refusing to choose. Together they are both carving out a space for LGBTQ religious life, fighting harmful practices like conversion therapy and engaging orthodox rabbis open to dialogue. By building visibility and acceptance in religious Israeli life, these organizations are reconciling LGBTQ identity with Jewish morality. Funds will be used in support of promoting visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ people in religious communities.

Ma’avarim, the Israeli Transgender Community

The transgender community in Israel has made recent strides. The IDF allows open transgender military service. The Ministry of Health (bureaucracy aside) approved a new policy to cover the costs of gender confirmation surgery through Israel’s universal healthcare system. And transgender Israelis can now change their gender markers on national ID cards. Yet the transgender community continues to face immense challenges in Israel as they do globally, with high rates of abuse and risk for self-harm. Our Impact Grant will support Ma’avarim, empowering transgender youth and young adults to create change in their communities – both for transgender Israelis and toward gender equality. Learn more.

Haifa LGBTQ Center: Center Programming  

The Haifa Communities’ House is a brand-new center located in the heart of an integrated Muslim and Jewish neighborhood.  The center’s social, health, and cultural programs enrich the lives of the community members living in Haifa and the peripheral North. Our Impact Grant supports programming at the Center, including an initiative to provide isolated trans sex workers with resources and community. Learn More

The Aguda: LGBTQ in the Periphery 

A Wider Bridge is proud of our continued support of The Aguda, Israel’s national LGBTQ organization. The Aguda is a national grassroots, volunteer-based, nonprofit human-rights organization representing the LGBT community. Learn More

The LGBTQ Refugee Program of the Agudah

The LGBTQ Refugee Program provides legal assistance, psychological and social services, financial assistance, medical aid, and employment placement to LGBTQ refugees fleeing other Middle Eastern countries, as well as to LGBTQ minorities in East Jerusalem and all of Israel. Funds will support this important initiative.

Beshela: LGBTQ Aging Conference and Emergency Assistance

Through this grant, A Wider Bridge is supporting Israel’s social and advocacy organization for older lesbian and bisexual women. Funds allowed Beshela to put on the first LGBTQ conference for seniors, and will also go towards an emergency fund for senior lesbians in need. Learn More

 

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Stand up for TLVFest

This program raised funds to counter the BDS boycott of the Tel Aviv LGBT Film Festival. Boycott efforts are nothing other than counterproductive. Organizers: TLV Fest. Info

The Meeting Place

The Meeting Place brings people together from all sectors of civil society – in the heart of Jerusalem. Organizers: Yerushalmit Movement. Info

Orthodox Media Project

This program created the “Our Faces, Together!” campaign. Organizers: Bat Kol, Havruta, Shoval – Israel’s LGBTQ Orthodox community organizations. Info

 

The Beshela Delegation on the 2018 AWB Impact Tour

About AWB Impact and Delegations

A Wider Bridge strengthens Israel’s LGBTQ community by providing financial resources, public platforms, and leadership networking for LGBTQ NGOs and community projects.

Each year, we sponsor AWB Impact delegations – visits of Israeli LGBTQ organization and community leaders to cities across North America- to feature their work and stories at community events, leadership gatherings, and networking opportunities.

Through these visits, LGBTQ and allied North Americans are exposed to the work of LGBTQ Israelis and develop a personal stake in the work of Israeli NGOs and community leaders. And through online crowd funding and fundraising events, Israel’s LGBTQ community will become better equipped to advance their goals.

Our AWB Impact tours are expanding mutual understanding, engagement, and philanthropic support; strengthening the LGBTQ communities of both North America and Israel.

To host an AWB Impact event, click here.