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 observant 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.

Register
First Time Attendee? Get a Discount!
Rabbi Dov Linzer
Rabbi Chaim and Suzi Marder

Featured Speakers!

Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of YCT Rabbinical School. Having served as YCT’s Rosh HaYeshiva for over 20 years, Rabbi Linzer also became its President in 2019. In this dual capacity, Rabbi Linzer has set the vision for YCT as a Center of Torah and Torah Leadership, and, with an amazing team of colleagues and partners, oversees its growth, reach, and further development, including establishing a premier rabbinic leadership program and pastoral training center in Israel.

An acclaimed Torah and halakha scholar, Rabbi Linzer has been a leading rabbinic voice in the Modern Orthodox community for over 25 years. He has published over 100 teshuvot (responsa) and scholarly Torah articles, and has hosted a number of highly popular Torah podcasts. He is co-author, together with Abigail Pogrebin, of It Takes Two To Torah: An Orthodox Rabbi and Reform Journalist Discuss and Debate Their Way Through the Five Books of Moses and will soon be coming out with The Rosh Yeshiva Responds, a collection of his scholarly, halakhic teshuvot to the yeshiva’s hundreds of rabbis in-the-field.

In his capacity as a mentor, Rabbi Linzer provides religious guidance to the yeshiva’s students and the over 150 YCT-ordained rabbis who are serving in the US and 60 rabbis and rabbaniyot serving in Israel and answers thousands of halakhic questions from YCT rabbis and broader community each year.

Rabbi Chaim Marder has served as the spiritual leader of the Hebrew Institute of White Plains since 1995, guiding the community with warmth, insight, and wisdom. Over more than three decades of leadership, he has helped shape the synagogue into a values-driven, inclusive, and vibrant Jewish community—one deeply committed to both God and one another.

Rabbi Marder has spoken and written about supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, drawing in part on his own experience as the loving father of a gay son. He has also expanded opportunities for meaningful participation and spiritual leadership for women in the Orthodox synagogue. He is recognized as a thoughtful and reasoned figure in the Jewish community, working to ensure that all people feel valued and embraced as integral members.

Through the many years he taught at YCT Rabbinical School and his mentorship of countless interns—men and women—and rabbis across the globe, he has helped cultivate the next generation of Orthodox Jewish leadership.

Rabbi Marder studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion, received rabbinic ordination from RIETS and holds a master’s degree in Jewish History. In addition, he is a licensed social worker (LMSW), bringing his clinical training into both his pastoral work and private therapy practice.

Suzie Marder, LCSW is a dedicated and highly regarded therapist who has made a meaningful impact on countless individuals, couples, and families. In addition to her private practice, Suzie served for many years as the school social worker at Westchester Day School. She has led parenting workshops and presented to community groups on topics including anxiety, positive communication, and family dynamics. Suzie has also spoken—both independently and alongside her husband—at Eshel programs and other community events about supporting and parenting a child in the LGBQ community.

Suzie partners with her husband in caring for their community, offering guidance, support, and genuine connection. Together, they are deeply valued and beloved by their congregation.

The Marders feel blessed to be parents to seven children and many children-in-law, and to enjoy the blessings of grandchildren.

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.

Register for the Eshel Parent Retreat

All-Inclusive | 3 days and 3 nights of programming, lodging, and meals

$700 per person, double occupancy

$950 per person, single occupancy

$1400 per couple

Early Bird Discount – 10% off through January 1! Discount will be applied automatically at checkout.

We will not turn anyone away due to inability to pay. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are to help subsidize the cost of the retreat. Please contact meira@eshelonline.org to request financial aid. Once you receive your discount code, you will be able to complete the registration process.
Payment plans are available to all – email sara@eshelonline.org to set up a payment plan.