Polyamory in Israel: A Beginner's Guide
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 | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| Metamour | Your partner's other partner |
| Compersion | Joy from seeing your partner happy with someone else |
| NRE | New Relationship Energy — the excitement of a new connection |
| Kitchen Table Poly | All partners are comfortable being together socially |
| Parallel Poly | Partners maintain separate relationships |
| Hierarchical | Primary partner takes precedence |
| Egalitarian | 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.
