THE QUEER GAP YEAR is a group for LGBTQ+ students spending their gap year in Israel. This initiative is a collaboration between Havruta and JQY, created to provide support, community, and meaningful programming for students during their time in Israel. The group offers a variety of exciting and educational activities, as well as social meetups, all conducted in English. Open to all gap-year students ages 18-20, Queer Gap Year is a welcoming space to connect, learn, and build friendships.

Support includes by JQY:

– Monthly activity meet-ups

– AnyQueer in Israel- a resource designed to provide gap-year students with a list of queer and ally shabbat hosts. Students can reach out to pre-vetted hosts and experience Shabbat in Israel in a safe and accepting environment. 

– JQY warmline- participants can call or text the JQY Warmline at 551-JQY-HOPE (551-579-4673) and one of our licensed mental health professionals will respond within 24 hours. They can also sign up for a free mental health consultation.

Support includes by Havruta:

The Havruta Warmlin- Come talk to people who understand the intersection between the queer and jewish identities. 

Available Sunday to Wednesday, 20:00 to 22:00, under the phone number 2972* 

Our Support System- We offer warmlines, counseling, queer social groups, subsidized therapy, Shabbat and holiday feasts, informed Rabbinical guidance, and more.

Havruta’s Beth Midrash- Darsheni – One of our main priority is to form a strong religious and queer community, and a major part of that is religious studies. We founded the ‘’Darsheni Program’’ to create a safe space for members of the queer community to teach and study the bible.