So, I haven't written in a while here, looking back on my old posts is kind of cringe-worthy yet satisfying to see how far I have come as a person.
Anyway so I have spent the last 7 months in Jerusalem Israel, working within the LGBT community, and taking part in many different functions within it. Having grown up in NY, arguably the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, and having seen almost no real religious gay Jewish community in existence, and this is not to knock the wonderful gay Jewish community that does exist in NY but is not essentially religious, I have come to realize that if someone wants to remain full fledged orthodox (and that has many levels, but im referring to a practicing Jew) the only real place to live as a COMMUNITY is in Israel, and even more so in Jerusalem.
Now some may argue that there are religious gay Jews in NY and there are, but there isn't and established religious gay community in NY. In Israel there are a few options for people who want a specific gay and religious community, first off there is "Havruta" and amazing group of self identifying gay religious Jews, who have shiurim, shabbatons, chagim together on a regular basis, and the group runs full fledged within the religious framework, but at the same time are out and proud. There is also HOD which is a little more conservative, but also a wonderful community. There are a few more communities in Israel, (kehilat dati Gaah)that are religious and gay, as well as for Lesbians (See Bat Kol).
I love NY and my hometown, and my amazing friends in NY, and I have so much gratitude to the Jewish LGBT organizations in NY who helped me so much over the years, but I have come to the conclusion that as of 2013, if I want to remain an orthodox Jew and live within a community where I feel comfortable with both of my identities, it has to be in Israel.
Now I do feel that if someone were to create and orthodox based community outside of Israel it should be in NY. There are some things in the works for example the "Pride Minyan NYC", but there has to be more of a demand for an orthodox gay community in NY, and i honestly do not know if there is...
