Project Kesher Israel Team Member Delivers Keynote at LGBTQ Conference

On July 31st, Anna Talisman (left), head of The LGBTQ Project at Project Kesher Israel (PKI), delivered the keynote address at a well-attended conference hosted by the Law Department of Tel Aviv University. Called “A Different Gender at the Time of War,” the conference addressed the immediate challenges faced by Israel’s LGBTQ refugee and immigrant population, including language barriers, social isolation, discrimination and poverty. Anna discussed specific population needs as well as the support the Israeli government offers—spotlighting gaps that need to be filled. She highlighted the work PKI is championing on behalf of LGBTQ immigrants who’ve fled to Israel from Russia and Ukraine.

With more than 20 years of experience as a social worker and psychotherapist, Anna has made significant contributions to Israeli civil society. At PKI she fosters essential community building and advocates for critical government reforms benefiting those who identify as LGTBQ. Her efforts have been instrumental in driving policy changes to ensure equal rights and healthcare access for immigrants and refugees within Israel’s ministries and the healthcare system.

Anna’s activism spans more than three decades. She was one of the first openly LGBTQ Russian-speaking social workers advocating for change, and has earned numerous prestigious awards for her pioneering efforts.