Eshel Parent Retreat | May 8-11, 2025, Pearlstone Retreat Center | Tuning In: To Our Children, Our Communities, Ourselves

As a parent of an LGBTQ+ child, do you:

Need support as you adjust to the changes that accompany having an LGBTQ+ child?
Worry about their safety and health?
Think about which school, camp, Israel program will be a good fit for your child?
Wonder if and how they will live a fulfilled Orthodox life?
Feel concerned that your child will be alone?
Want them to find a Jewish community where they will be comfortable?
Envision a place where you can voice these concerns, hopes and dreams?
Wish there was a place to meet other Orthodox parents with LGBTQ+ children?

Join us at Eshel’s Parent Retreat to explore these questions and get support from other parents and professionals.

Featured Speaker!

Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBT synagogue. He is a deeply traditional and radically progressive advocate for trans rights and a vocal ally for LGBTQ inclusivity. Rabbi Moskowitz received three Ultra-Orthodox ordinations while learning in the Mir in Jerusalem and BMG in Lakewood, NJ. He is a Wexner Field Fellow, Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Hartman Institute, and the author of Textual Activism, Graceful Masculinity, Seasonal Resistance, and Ancestral Allyship. His newest book, Inviting Order, will be out in time for Passover 2026. Rabbi Moskowitz’s writings can be found at www.rabbimikemoskowitz.com.

Highlights of the Annual Parent Retreat Include:

Spirited Shabbat davening
Thought-provoking sessions led by Rabbis, community leaders, doctors, social workers, and educators
Chaburah groups for processing and sharing
Beautiful and relaxing natural environment
Delicious, organic meals
Warm, welcoming community of parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are accepting of your LGBTQ child or struggling with their identity, or somewhere in between, this is the place for you. No judgments will be made about any retreat participant’s levels of acceptance of their LGBTQ child’s identity. We only ask that each attendee agree to respect other participants’ feelings and attitudes.

Each parent and family is on their own journey, which is unique and comes with different challenges and joys at every step. Come with an open mind and remember that everyone’s path is different.

We take confidentiality very seriously. All participants must agree and sign Eshel’s confidentiality policy. Retreat attendees may not disclose the identity of anyone else without explicit permission. Participants can only share what they hear at the retreat with an individual’s permission.

We will create a comfortable, confidential place to share. Sessions will touch on a variety of topics – previous highlights have included panels and workshops on language, mental health, dating and marriage, extended family, as well as navigating shuls and schools. We will share Shabbat davening and meals together. Throughout the weekend, parents will take part in a small chaburah group, providing an opportunity to check in and process what we are learning and experiencing.

Weather permitting, we will offer outdoor walks on Pearlstone’s gorgeous hiking trails, as well as sports, and yoga.

Pearlstone Retreat Center is located in Reisterstown, Maryland, about a half hour northwest of Baltimore. BWI airport is a 40 minute drive away, and Penn Station, Baltimore is a 30 minute drive.

Pearlstone Retreat Center offers a relaxing space, inspiring natural surroundings, and farm-to-table, organic meals under OU supervision.

Some of their amenities include:

a 3-mile nature hike trail
outdoor swimming pools
a beautiful lake
basketball and volleyball courts
newly renovated fitness room
outdoor fire pit

You should plan to arrive between 3 and 5 pm on Thursday. Mincha will be at 5:15pm and the first session will begin at 6pm. Early or late arrival can be coordinated; email info@eshelonline.org to arrange. The program will conclude no later than 1 pm on Sunday.

If you’d like to set up a payment plan in order to pay for the retreat in installments, please email sara@eshelonline.org. If you are in need of further assistance in order to be able to attend the retreat, please email miryam@eshelonline.org.