Polyamory in Israel: A Beginner's Guide

Polyamory - the practice of engaging in multiple romantic relationships with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved - is one of the fastest-growing relationship models in Israel.

What Polyamory Is (and Isn't)

Polyamory IS:

• Having multiple consensual romantic relationships
• Open, honest communication between all partners
• Emotional and romantic connections (not just sexual)
• A valid relationship structure recognized by therapists

Polyamory is NOT:

• Cheating (which involves deception)
• An excuse to avoid commitment
• Only about sex
• For everyone

The Polyamory Community in Israel

Israel has a vibrant polyamory community centered around:

• Tel Aviv - the largest community, with regular meetups and social events
• Online platforms - PolyDate.co.il is Israel's dedicated polyamory dating platform
• Facebook groups - several Hebrew-language groups with thousands of members
• Therapists and coaches - growing number of professionals specializing in non-monogamous relationships

Key Terms to Know

• Term: Metamour, Meaning: Your partner's other partner
• Term: Compersion, Meaning: Joy from seeing your partner happy with someone else
• Term: NRE, Meaning: New Relationship Energy - the excitement of a new connection
• Term: Kitchen Table Poly, Meaning: All partners are comfortable being together socially
• Term: Parallel Poly, Meaning: Partners maintain separate relationships
• Term: Hierarchical, Meaning: Primary partner takes precedence
• Term: Egalitarian, Meaning: All relationships have equal status

Getting Started

Step 1: Educate Yourself

• Read: "The Ethical Slut" and "More Than Two"
• Listen: Hebrew polyamory podcasts
• Join: Online communities to learn from experienced practitioners

Step 2: Self-Reflection

• What are you looking for? Romance? Companionship? Sexual variety?
• What are your attachment patterns?
• How do you handle jealousy?
• What are your non-negotiable values?

Step 3: Communication

If you're in a relationship, discuss with your partner. Be prepared for a long, ongoing conversation - not a one-time discussion.

Step 4: Connect with the Community

Attend a meetup. Online forums are helpful, but nothing replaces face-to-face connection with people who understand.

Polyamory vs. Swinging

Many people confuse these two:

• Swinging = recreational sex with others as a couple
• Polyamory = romantic relationships with others

Some people do both. Some do one or the other. There's no hierarchy - just different approaches to non-monogamy.

For a detailed comparison, see our article on Swingers vs Polyamory vs Open Relationships.

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Whether you identify as polyamorous, a swinger, or simply curious, Onyx Club welcomes all forms of ethical non-monogamy. Explore the community.