Inside the Jewish Federations’ LGBTQ+ Mission to Israel
Will (left) and Daniel at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Written by Will Becker Quantz, July 8, 2025
Last month, Federation board member and National Young Leadership Cabinet member Will Becker Quantz, and his husband, Daniel Becker, joined the Jewish Federations of North America’s LGBTQ+ Pride Mission to Israel. Set between Pride celebrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the mission provided a meaningful opportunity to stand in solidarity with communities affected by October 7, explore LGBTQ+ life in Israel, and reflect on the unique intersection of queer and Jewish identities during a time of challenge and resilience.
Will shares his reflections on the experience below.
Since October 7, many queer Jews in North America have felt a painful sense of betrayal—many progressive spaces championing LGBTQ+ rights now often express anti-Zionist and, at times, blatantly antisemitic sentiments. In response, many of us have leaned more fully into our Jewish identities, discovering that we are more embraced as queer people within the Jewish community than as Jews within the queer community. This mission offered a rare and healing opportunity to be fully open and present in both of our identities.
The mission had two central goals. First, we witnessed the ongoing impact of October 7 and how Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) support is aiding recovery. Second, we explored LGBTQ+ life in Israel—a landscape that is both vibrant and complicated.
And in all of this, we encountered extraordinary resilience.
Seattle mission participants (left to right) Phil Morris, Joseph Friedman, Daniel Becker, Zac Kaplan, and Will Becker Quantz atop the helipad at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center—now the primary trauma intake for IDF soldiers from Gaza.
Ola Metzger (right) at Kibbutz Nir Oz, explaining her tragedy and focusing on the future.
In Kibbutz Nir Oz, where over a quarter of the 400 residents were killed or kidnapped, we met Ola Metzger. Her in-laws were taken hostage, and her father-in-law was murdered. Yet, as she guided us through the kibbutz, her emotion surfaced not in recounting the horrors, but in sharing the hope she felt from early signs of her home coming back to life.
In Tel Aviv, we met Gili Roman, whose sister Yarden was taken hostage and later released. Gili now dedicates his life to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, advocating for the release of all remaining hostages—not just his own family.
We also heard from Omer Ohana, who lost his partner of six years, Sagi Golan, on October 7—just 13 days before they were set to be married. Sagi was killed while helping defend Kibbutz Be’eri as part of the IDF response. Despite his grief, Omer fought for legal recognition of same-sex partners in the IDF, ensuring others would receive the rights he was initially denied. His courage turned personal tragedy into lasting change.
These were just a few of the many stories we encountered—each one layered with tragedy, hope, and a fierce commitment to rebuilding a better future for others.
The mission ended with a joyful beach party on the night of June 12. Though Daniel and I had to return home early the next morning, many of our fellow participants stayed behind, eager to celebrate Tel Aviv’s epic Pride celebration. But just hours after our departure, Israel launched its military operation in Iran, and the country was suddenly thrust into a new wave of uncertainty.
JFNA quickly sprang into action–working closely with partners on the ground to ensure every remaining mission participant was accounted for and supported.
None of us, whether we left as planned or faced a more perilous journey home, regret going. It was one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives.
Russell (right), one of our exceptional guides, is pictured with his husband, Avi, during the mission’s closing celebration. Together since 1982, and married in Toronto, Canada, in 2005, Russell and Avi were among the six pioneering couples whose union helped pave the way for Israel’s recognition of same-sex marriages performed abroad.
A major highlight of the trip was meeting with President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog. Both spoke passionately about the importance of LGBTQ+ dignity, inclusion, and equality in Israeli society. Just days earlier, Herzog had become the first President to attend Jerusalem Pride Parade.
On the first day of mission, another one of our beloved guides, Morgie, challenged us to an aspiration for our time together:
קהילה מבוססת על אהבה וכבוד
kehilah mevooseset al ahavah vekavod
A community based on love and respect.
That’s exactly what we found in Israel—and what we’re committed to building, wherever we go.
Will Becker Quantz
National Young Leadership Cabinet
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s Board of Directors
