Hod is an independent Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

-based organization run by and intended for Orthodox Jewish

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...

 homosexuals

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...

. It is led by the Orthodox Rabbi

Rabbi

In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...

 Ron Yosef.

Formation

Hod (an acronym for religious gays in Hebrew) was established on February 1, 2008 by Rabbi Ron Yosef, along with the website it operates. The organization adopted its name from a similar, but different group that was active during the nineties, but fell apart. The launch of Hod was widely covered by Israeli media.

Views

Hod's goal is

The organization tries to reconcile the sexual orientation of its members with their religious beliefs. It does so by emphasizing the difference between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts. Hod does not propose a unique solution for the problems that religious homosexuals encounter. Rather, the organization intends to offer support and to stimulate social contact between religious homosexuals, as to diminish the feelings of loneliness frequently experienced by these individuals.

Hod frequently organizes meetings and lectures by Orthodox Rabbis. In an open letter distributed to Orthodox community leaders, the organization appealed to the Orthodox community to recognize them as part of the religious society.

Coming Out

Initially, Rabbi Ron Yosef was known publicly only by his first name, thereby showing the delicate situation of homosexuals in the Jewish Orthodox community in Israel. However, In April 2009, he became the first Israeli orthodox Rabbi to come out

Come Out

Come Out may refer to:*Come Out , a music piece by Steve Reich*Coming out, disclosing one's homosexuality or bisexuality.*"Come Out", a song by Camper van Beethoven from New Roman Times...

, by appearing in Uvda ("Fact"), Israel's leading investigative television program http://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2009-5139645099b70210/Article-79b3cd8623c7021006.htm.

External links

• Official website