Welcome to Eshel: Creating understanding and support for LGBT people in traditional Jewish communities

Eshel takes its name from the אשׁל אברהם, Eshel Avraham, the tamarisk tree under which Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imenu would welcome wayfarers who came from all directions seeking respite.  We chose this name because Eshel is…

… a place of SHELTER for Orthodox, frum, and other traditional LGBT Jews seeking to maintain their Jewish observance and find meaningful religious community.  We also welcome all those who are formerly Orthodox, “Orthodox-curious,” or otherwise interested in maintaining a connection to traditional Judaism as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender Jews.

… helping traditional communities become more WELCOMING by addressing the emotional and mental-health needs of their LGBT  members while maintaining their commitments to Halacha.

…a GATHERING-PLACE for traditional communities to share information, learn from one another, and keep families and communities together.

Eshel’s work is inspired by the recent statement of principles, now signed by over 200 Orthodox rabbis, calling for welcoming gays and lesbians as full members of Orthodox communities.  Our work is one response to this historic statement.   To learn more about Eshel and our work, please click one of the links above.  Welcome!

View an important message of hope and encouragement for the frum LGBT community struggling with homosexuality.

It Gets Better

Eshel is made possible through the generous support of:

  Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund 

 The Alexander Greenbaum Philanthropic Fund

                                 Greater Miami Jewish Federation

                                 Anonymous