About

Halachic Left is a grassroots movement of halachically-observant Jews advocating for our communities to oppose Jewish supremacy, support ending the Israeli military control and occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and work for a just and equitable future for Israelis and Palestinians.

WHO WE ARE

We share a common experience of belonging to institutions where uncritical support for Israel is a nearly universal assumption, and our views are marginalized and ignored. We are united in our belief that we should not need to compromise on our values to be a part of religious communities. 

Halachic Left is the only Diaspora organization working within observant communities to change the narrative on Israel and Palestine. Our commitment to halacha compels us to speak out against the right-wing voices twisting our traditions to their own ends. Similarly, we add Jewish religious voices to the American left, demonstrating that observant people can and do play a key role in progressive movements.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

  • Our religious identities and our political identities do not conflict. They inform and strengthen each other. We are driven by our commitment to Torah, halacha, and the idea that all people are created בצלם אלוקים in the image of God. 

  • Jewish supremacy, settler violence, and the Israeli occupation are unacceptable. The legal and cultural framework that allows these to continue fuel a cycle of violence that endangers all in the region – and Jews and Palestinians worldwide. Jewish safety and Palestinian safety are intertwined, and our futures are bound together. The absence of an equitable and permanent solution drags us all into endless wars and hatred, which fuel extremism. 

  • Censoring criticism of Israel in Jewish communities harms the Jewish future and prospects for peace in Israel and Palestine. Change will come through relationship-building and trust, even and especially with those with whom we disagree. We can and must speak openly with those we pray with.

  • Halachically observant communities in both Israel and the Diaspora play a prominent role in supporting the injustices perpetrated against Palestinians. The lasting impact of our actions will stain the community for generations to come. We must correct course immediately. As members of these communities, we have the responsibility and the power to end support for these injustices, and create the Jewish future we want to live in.

WHAT WE DO

  • Connect Jews and others across the globe who share our vision and values to engage with their communities on this topic. 

  • Provide educational resources that expand and challenge the one-sided, uncritical narrative on Israel that our communities promote.

  • Host shiurim to learn about how Jewish texts align with and inform our politics and vision. 

  • Advocate within our institutions, shuls, camps, and schools. We insist they recognize our presence and cease assuming that our communities' views on Israel and Palestine are monolithic.

  • Mobilize liberal Zionists, non Zionists, and anti-Zionists to work together to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.

LONG TERM IMPACT

  • Demonstrate to the observant Jewish world that a significant part of the community supports Palestinian freedom; our voices and ideas are relevant and cannot be ignored.

  • Offer religious communities authentic options for engaging with Judaism and Israel outside of the Zionist framework. 

  • Stop the funding and support of organizations which fuel Jewish supremacy and apartheid.