At a moment of growing polarization in both Israel and the United States, LGBTQ communities are often among the first to feel the effects of social and political change. On Friday, May 22nd during Shabbat, we'll hear from Barak Ganor and Yoni Avitan from IGY (Israeli Queer Youth), the largest LGBTQ+ organization in Israel. 

Barak Ganor, VP of Global Partnerships at IGY Barak is VP of Global Partnerships at IGY, leading international fundraising to support LGBTQ+ youth in Israel. He previously served as Israel’s Cultural Attaché in the UK, promoting and overseeing bilateral cultural relations between the two countries, and prior to that was Batsheva Dance Company producer. Barak holds a BA in East Asian Studies and Theater and an MA in the Interdisciplinary Program in the Arts from Tel Aviv University. 

Yoni Avitan is the Co-CEO of IGY, the Israeli LGBTQ+ youth & young adults movement. Yoni joined IGY six years ago as a Regional Director, later became National Director of Youth Programs, and now serves as co-CEO. Before joining IGY, he was the Central Shaliach of USY in North America and previously served as Educational Director and Summer Camp Director at NOAM, the Israeli Masorti youth movement. Yoni holds a BA in Political Science and Jewish Philosophy, and a master’s degree in Gender Studies.