Eshel Out Loud

News, Views, and Updates from the Eshel Community

The Only Unnatural Way to Be Is Alone

The Only Unnatural Way to Be Is Alone

Lo tov heyot ha-adam levado, it is not good for the earthling to be alone (Gen. 2:18). As the product of a traditional Jewish education, I have always heard this verse cited as an aphoristic observation about human nature and the need for companionship. No one wants to be alone their whole life. Life is [more]
Kept At A Distance

Kept At A Distance

Isolation is an unfortunate norm for LGBTQ Jewish youth. The Coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse. By Idit Klein, Rachael Fried, Asher Gellis, Miryam Kabakov, and Rebecca Stapel-Wax As leaders of organizations that advance LGBTQ equality in Jewish life, we know how important it is to create antidotes to loss, fear, and isolation – especially [more]
Changing Not Changing by Joy Ladin – Video

Changing Not Changing by Joy Ladin – Video

How Orthodox Jewish Communities Respond When Members Come Out as LGBTQ  For much of the 21st century, Miryam Kabakov and Rabbi Steven Greenberg have been agents of change in Orthodox Jewish communities built on continuity and tradition. Through their own coming out processes, their writings, and their organizing – both are founders of Eshel, an organization [more]

Eshel Newsletter – March 20, 2020

    Wishing you a Shabbat of peace and health The last time I was in a room filled with people... ...I was celebrating Purim in shul.  The wild costumes and silly songs testified to the concept of ונהפוך הוא: the idea that things are turned on their heads. Who knew that only a week [more]

Coronavirus – by Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Rabbi Nathan Cardoza, a long-time rabbinic ally and a friend has shared with some colleagues this very thoughtful article. While we are in the midst of a dangerous and fearful time no one should minimize the real challenges that we are and will be facing. Anxiety is not the answer. And surely one day it [more]