Masha and Alona

The war in Ukraine has created enormous pressure and heightened barriers for LGBTQ+ immigrants in Israel, primarily because when LGBTQ+ interfaith couples arrive in Israel, the non-Jewish partner is not eligible for Israeli benefits and citizenship.

The urgency to make aliyah for the LGBTQ+ community has been further fueled by Russian lawmakers recently approving new legislation that increases restrictions on transgender rights. The New York Times highlighted these harsh changes in its front page story on Tuesday, August 1st: the new law criminalizes all surgery and hormone treatments used for gender transitions, annuls marriages in which one partner changes genders, prevents trangender people from fostering or adopting children, and bans changing one’s gender in official documents such as passports.

Project Kesher Israel has supported over 500 LGBTQ+ immigrant couples financially and emotionally throughout the war, assisting with legal and visa fees, giving gift cards to members of the community who don’t have enough money for groceries, and providing Jewish educational and spiritual programs. PKI anticipates reaching 1,000 couples in the coming months. More funding is urgently needed to continue supporting those in the process of making aliyah.

While there’s a pressing amount of ongoing need, we’re thrilled to share the story of Masha and Alona, an LGBTQ+ couple from Russia who the Project Kesher leadership team met on their trip to Israel last November.

Masha and Alona’s journey began over a year ago when they made aliyah, after getting married through Utah’s online marriage registration process.

For the past year, Alona found herself without benefits or the ability to change her status in order to be granted with the customary privileges of a new immigrant, and Masha had to support them both financially. Alona and Masha both actively participated in Project Kesher Israel’s telegram channel, a platform where PKI provided support for 500+ people facing challenges in the Aliyah process.

Masha and Alona’s story has recently taken a remarkable turn. With the assistance of The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), underwritten and connected by Project Kesher Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Interior has finally recognized them as a married couple.

This breakthrough, initiated with the help of Project Kesher Israel, could set a crucial precedent for other immigrants in similar situations. Alona is now on track to gradually attain the full status of a new immigrant, access benefits, and cultivate hope for a brighter future and successful integration in Israel.