Eshel Out Loud

A Student too Eager

Jun 1, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

Eshel has been working with shuls and schools for more than a decade now on policy issues. In 2018 we encouraged schools to “take the pledge,” a document drafted by an Orthodox high school student and his principal. It promised that when students come out of the closet in high school, the school would not [more]

Saying Yes, AND

May 5, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

This year, I had the pleasure of attending three spectacular weekends: the Eshel in Israel Parent Shabbaton, the National LGBTQ+ Retreat, and Eshel Parent Retreat. While each is unique in their own way, these Eshel weekends are the crown jewels of our work. Each time we come together for a retreat weekend or smaller Shabbaton, [more]

Why Should We Be Excluded?

Apr 28, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

This Friday will be the 14th of Iyyar, exactly one month after Pesach. We celebrate Pesach Sheni, an ancient reminder of the value of inclusion. It originates the first year after the Exodus from Egypt. Bnai Yisrael are instructed to repeat the lamb offering they made the night that they went free: “you shall offer [more]

One Day at a Time

Apr 21, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

The season of sefira draws our attention to the passage of time. We mark each day with an account of the days and weeks that have gone by. This ritual timekeeping follows the joyous celebration of yetziat mitzrayim, which is marked by a very different relationship to time. After hundreds of years in bondage, when [more]

The Choice to be Visible

Mar 31, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

As an infant, Moshe was bundled up and sent down the Nile in a tiny raft. Yocheved gave him up, still in vital danger, but spared from certain death at home as a Hebrew boy. When he was found by Pharoah’s daughter, she recognized that he was a Hebrew baby - based on his circumcision, [more]

Thinking About the Eshel Parent Retreat?

Mar 26, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud

What is it? How do I know if it's for me? Eshel’s Parent Retreat is a supportive space for Orthodox parents with children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. You may be feeling a lot of things about having an LGBTQ child. Parents come to this retreat for many different reasons, and [more]