Bat-kol - Religious Lesbian Organization was founded to allow women to fulfill both their religious and lesbian identity; to make it possible for women to live in loving relationships, to raise children without deception, but nevertheless stay committed to their religion.

4%-10% of women are gay. This is true in all society and in the religious society as well. In the past religious women were forced to choose. Some chose to fulfill their lesbian identity and leave the religious world; Others chose to remain religious and gave up having a family or married a man and gave up love and companionship. The founders of Bat-kol chose otherwise. They chose to remain religious but nevertheless not abandon such a significant part of their identity – their sexual orientation.

Starting with ten founders in the winter of 2005, Bat-kol has grown and as of July 2008 includes over 150 women whose ages range from 19 to sixty plus. Members of Bat-kol come from various religious backgrounds and include graduates of prominent schools such as Kfar Pines, Tzvia, Pelech and Bet yaakov. Some have established a gay family and raise children, others are still in the closet, all are struggling with the difficulties involved.

Bat-kol organizes annual meetings and social activities for religious lesbians. These meetings allow mutual support as well as create a social framework. In addition, Bat-kol setup a support group for mothers of religious homosexuals and lesbians. These meeting allow the parents to share their experiences and gain strength from the understanding that they are not alone in the struggle.

In the recent years we witness a shift in public opinion and the religious society is beginning to confront the issue of religious homosexuals and lesbians. Bat-kol is involved in efforts to promote tolerance in the religious community toward realizing our vision of religious gays and gay families being an integral part of the religious society.

Bat-kol aims towards a world where religious lesbians can live a life of truth and love, a life of equality and companionship, a life of self fulfillment and acceptance in the religious society. Achieving Bat-kol's goals is essential not only for religious lesbians but for all the religious community as well, to create a better society, with justice, kindness, and equality. This is our Tikkun Olam.

For more information, please contact Bat-kol by email:

or by calling Bat-kol information line at 054-313-323-9, active Sunday and Wednesday between 21:00-23:00.