The Inner Struggles of Gay Orthodox Jews, Rabbis on Homosexuality, and More

The stories of four gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews, struggling to live the ‘Torah lifestyle’ in a faith that considers homosexuality a sin.

In Orthodox Judaism, to be both actively gay and “frum,” or observant, is a theological taboo. Producer Jon Kalish spoke to four Orthodox men and women who are trying to merge their two identities.

It all started with those two lines in Leviticus – a core text of Judaism. Two rabbis from opposite ends of the theological spectrum explain homosexuality in Jewish law.

Rabbi Meir Fund, leader of the Orthodox Congregation Sheves Achim in Brooklyn, New York
Rabbi Debra Kolodny, leader of the Congregation P’nai Or in Portland, Oregon

Debbie Peagler was sentenced to life in prison for murdering the man who abused her. We speak with the Orthodox Jewish lawyer who spent seven years fighting to set her free. He’s one of the sujects of the award-winning documentary, “Crime After Crime.”

Joshua Safran, lead attorney for the Safran Law Group

 

 

 


Share This Episode