Israel Religious Action Center facts for kids

The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) is an organization that works to make Israel a fairer and more equal place for everyone. It was started in 1987 and is located in Jerusalem. IRAC helps people by using the law, talking to government leaders, and sharing information.

IRAC's main goal is to protect equality, social justice, and religious pluralism in Israel. This means they want everyone to be treated fairly, to have the same opportunities, and to be able to practice their religion freely. Author Elana Maryles Sztokman called IRAC a top group for human rights in Israel.

Since 2004, the executive director of IRAC has been Orly Erez-Likhovski, who is a civil rights lawyer. Before her, Anat Hoffman led IRAC for over 20 years until November 2022. Anat Hoffman also helped start and leads "Women of the Wall" (WoW). This group of women prays at the Western Wall in a way that includes everyone. Rabbi Noa Sattath, who works for gay rights and peace between Jewish and Palestinian people, also held a leadership role at IRAC.

What IRAC Does

IRAC focuses on several important areas to make Israel a better place:

• They work to make sure people have the freedom to choose their religion, or no religion at all.
• They help ensure that Reform and Conservative rabbis, synagogues, and other groups are recognized and treated equally by the state.
• They promote equality for everyone in public places.
• They fight against racism and hate.
• They work to make Israel's democracy stronger.
• They protect the rights of new immigrants and people who convert to Judaism to become Israeli citizens and have equal rights.

Important Actions and Victories

IRAC has been involved in many important cases and campaigns:

Fighting Discrimination

• In 2006, IRAC complained about some rabbis in Jerusalem who were saying hateful things. As a result, the police investigated these rabbis for possibly breaking the law. IRAC wanted to stop people from using religion to spread unfair and racist ideas.
• In 2014, IRAC won its first major group lawsuit. A radio station that did not allow women's voices on air had to pay damages. This was a victory for women's rights.
• In December 2014, a court ruled that burial societies could not put up signs separating men and women at funerals unless the family asked for it. IRAC had argued that these signs were unfair. This decision helped end unfair separation signs in cemeteries.
• In January 2014, IRAC's legal team spoke out when the city of Bnei Brak tried to remove campaign posters with pictures of women. In some religious areas, pictures of women are not allowed. IRAC said this was a win for gender equality, showing that excluding women is wrong.
• In 2018, the Jerusalem District Court ordered a radio station to pay a large amount of money because it did not allow women's voices. This was a big step for civil rights and gender equality in Israel.

Supporting Religious Freedom

• In 2012, IRAC won a major court case that took eight years. The Israeli government agreed to pay the salaries of four non-Orthodox rabbis. This was a big step because it challenged the idea that only Orthodox rabbis should be supported by the government.

Protecting Rights on Flights

• IRAC started a campaign called "Rights on Flights." This was because some Orthodox male passengers were asking women to move seats on airplanes. IRAC worked with airlines to create rules that protect women's rights to sit where they choose.
• In 2016, an 81-year-old woman sued an airline because she was asked to move her seat to please a religious man. IRAC helped her with the lawsuit. In 2017, the court ruled that airlines cannot ask passengers to change seats based on gender. IRAC continues to remind women of their rights.

See also

• Religious Action Center
• Women of the Wall
• Anat Hoffman
• Hotline for Refugees and Migrants