Building Understanding Across Communities During Pride Month

As part of Pride Month, Project Kesher Israel continued its unique series of educational exchanges between women’s groups and LGBTQ+ groups, creating opportunities for dialogue, learning, and mutual understanding.

At a recent gathering in Bat Yam, Eli Kleiner—coordinator of PKI’s Be’er Sheva LGBTQ+ group, clinical psychologist, and trans activist—led an introductory conversation on LGBTQ+ issues for women with little prior exposure to these topics. The discussion explored sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender experiences, and the realities facing LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly within Russian-speaking immigrant communities. Participants engaged thoughtfully with questions, challenged common stereotypes, and shared their reflections in a respectful and open environment.

The program is part of Project Kesher Israel’s ongoing effort to foster empathy, pluralism, and democratic values by bringing diverse communities into conversation with one another. Through these exchanges, women’s groups learn about LGBTQ+ experiences, while LGBTQ+ participants engage with issues of feminism, women’s rights, and social justice—building stronger, more connected communities across lines of difference.