Gay Israeli families struggle for acceptance at kids’ schools
Israel’s alternative families are demanding more formal consideration from the education system.
By Tamar Rotem
When Sefi and Tali Rachlin-Paz’s son Yotam started going to kindergarten, near their home in South Tel Aviv’s Shapira neighborhood, both his parents came to talk with the teacher. "We told the usual story we tell to people we’ve just met, especially in the education system," explained Shefi Paz, a book designer. "We tell them Yotam was raised in a family with two mothers and he calls us Imma and Mama. It’s our way of putting the cards on the table and coordinating expectations."
But the conversation took an unexpected turn. "The teacher stared at us and said, ’Both parents are at home and functioning? No one in prison? Do you take drugs? What do you want from me?’"