Religious Pluralism

To fulfil the vision of its founders, Israel must always be a country for all its citizens, including all its Jews, whatever their beliefs, background and practices. NIF works to promote religious freedom in Israel, to foster a more tolerant society that embraces the rich diversity of Jewish identity, and that creates a sphere of non-religious, civil law for all Israeli citizens.

Freedom of Choice

Freedom of Marriage in Israel

On Tu B’Av, NIF help celebrate the public Jewish marriage of Inna Zyskind and Pavel Kogan. Inna and Pavel are amongst approximately 300,000 Israelis who are tagged with the insulting ‘Psuley Hitun’ (forbidden to marry) which means they cannot marry religiously and legally in Israel even though the pay taxes, serve in the army etc. The ceremony in Tel Aviv was the centrepiece of the third Tu B’Av, Festival of Love that was organised by Havaya (which supports secular Jewish life cycle ceremonies) and Fishka (a young Russian speakers’ community)

Gender Equality in Public Spaces

Combating Gender Segregation

NIF is addressing the phenomena of increasing gender and ethnic segregation in public spaces. In a court case led by NIF grantee, Israel Religious Action Centre, on behalf of orthodox women, the Supreme Court ruled that forced gender segregation on public buses is illegal. In another case, NIF grantee Noar Kahalacha has successfully campaigned to raise public awareness about discrimination against Mizrahi girls and provided assistance to Mizrahi families whose children have been rejected by ultra- Orthodox schools based on their ethnicity.