From Trembling to Thinking
2021-07-29 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
A Three-Part Eshel Summer Beit Midrash Series:From Trembling to Thinking
Thursdays: July 29, August 5 & 127:00 pm ET | 6:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm PT
Eshel will conduct a Summer Bet Midrash with Rabbi Ysoscher Katz as he marks the movement of his own thinking on LGBTQ issues.
1 Hour chavruta (Bring your chavruta or we’ll find one for you.)
1 Hour Shiur with Rabbi Katz
30-Minute Q&A

Session 1: Same-Sex Relationships: Thursday, July 29, 7:00 pm ET.This foundational learning will address the key halakhic issues relating to both female and male homosexual relations. The central texts will be studied, analyzed, and discussed.
Session 2: Gender Torah: Thursday, August 5, 7:00 pm ET.This session will address the complexities of gender in biblical and rabbinic sources and conclude with the halakhic insights that can help to expand our understanding of gender and its variability.
Session 3: God in Technicolor: Thursday, August 12, 7:00 pm ET.Our study of homosexuality, gender, and non-binary identities leads to an inquiry about G-d and the limits of our understanding of God. This session will explore the theological implications of taking gender and sexuality seriously.

Register here for the Zoom login details:

Background to this SeriesThe 2001 documentary, Trembling Before G-d, began a public engagement on the overlap of queer and Orthodox identities. The film was a powerful acknowledgment of the existence of queer frum Jews, but it did not and could not embark on the work of integration. For that, more of us needed to exit the shadows of the closet. Our stories need to be told to wider audiences and the desire of some of us to remain “inside” the community (in various ways) needed to come to fruition.It has been a time of experimentation as queer Jews have begun to vote with their feet to reconnect, challenging Orthodox communities in various ways to move incrementally toward inclusion.
BioRabbi Ysoscher Katz is the chair of the Talmud Department at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. He received ordination in 1986 from Rabbi Yechezkel Roth, dayan of UTA Satmar. Rabbi Katz studied in Brisk and in Yeshivat Beit Yosef, Navaradok for over ten years. A graduate of the HaSha’ar Program for Jewish Educators, Rabbi Katz has taught at the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls and SAR High School. He was a leading teacher of a daf yomi class in Boro Park for over eight years.

Many Thanks to Our Co-Hosts!

Eshel Day on Fire Island
2021-08-01 08:00 - 17:00
Shlomo Ashkinazy and his husband, Michael Gomillion, have generously invited members of Eshel to join them on Sunday, August 1st, in Cherry Grove on Fire Island.
Cherry Grove offers a variety of opportunities for fun activities to choose from, including a beautiful beach, the hotel pool, walks through nature, friendly community, and a live Cabaret pool show at 3 PM. There is also a live show at 6 PM in The Hotel’s Ice Palace Cabaret/Disco for those who plan to stay later. (The last Ferry from Cherry Grove to Sayville leaves at 11:30 PM.)
The beach, the pool hotel, the Disco, and Shlomo and Michael’s place are all within a 2-minute walk of each other. So, come with the expectation of an active day of fun in the sun, with Shlomo and Michael’s place as a central meeting spot for washing, resting, eating, (and a possible Mincha service), between and after other activities. Feel free to stay together with the group, or wander off and explore on your own.
We are planning to have a late potluck lunch, so bring along a kosher, dairy, or pareve food item to share that would be sufficient to serve 6 people.
Items to bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Beach Blanket, Sandals, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
*This invitation is limited to the first 30 people who register and is only open to people who are 21 years old or over.
**Please read Eshel’s Policy on in-person gatherings.
GETTING THERE
Because Fire Island is an actual island, the only way to get there is by taking the Ferry, which shuttles back and forth from Sayville, Long Island. There are NO cars in Cherry Grove, which adds to the beautiful storybook atmosphere of the community.
Here is a link to the Ferry Schedule and information: Sayville Ferry Service
How to Get to Sayville, Long Island:
Since the only way to get to Cherry Grove is via the Ferry from Sayville. You must first get to Sayville.
Sayville can be reached by car via the Long Island Expressway or the Southern State Parkway. ESHEL will provide a link to a ride board for people looking for, or offering rides. If you come by car, you will be able to park in the parking lot which is direct across the street from the Ferry.
You can also get to Sayville via the Long Island Railroad, from Penn Station. You will find Shuttle Buses waiting at the train station to transport people to the Ferry. It’s less than a five-minute ride. Just follow the people who are carrying their beach paraphernalia.
Here’s the LINK to the Train Schedule Long island railroad Sunday schedule Penn Station to Sayville
*The House Address will be shared a few days prior to the event., with those who have registered.
What is Fire Island? Fire Island is a Barrier Reef approximately 3 miles off the south shore of Long Island. While it is 31 miles long, it is less than 1,000 feet wide, so you are always only steps away from either the bayside or the ocean side. There are 17 separate communities on Fire Island, each separated by undeveloped National Park Lands. Most of these communities are strictly private and residential. A few communities do have shops and restaurants. Two of these commercial communities are primarily LGBTQ. They are The Pines and Cherry Grove.
Here’s a link to more Fun Facts about Cherry Grove
Cherry Grove, New York – Wikipedia

Eshel Drop-In for Parents - Postponed Until Next Week
2021-08-18 12:00 - 13:00
Drop-in every Wednesday to shmooze, chat, ask questions, and hear topics of interest!
For notifications and sign-in information, please fill out the form below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)

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Eshel Parents Chaburah Group - Postponed Until Next Month
2021-08-18 20:00 - 21:30
The Parent Chaburah Group meets on the Third Wednesday of each month at 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 5 pm Pacific Time.

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Soon By Q: Picnic & Kayaking
2021-08-29 11:00 - 14:00
Join Eshel for a picnic and kayaking in Manhattan with familiar and new faces.
Picnic

11:00 am -1:00 pm

Eshel will provide drinks

Kosher Dairy/Parve

Bring enough to share with a few others

Optional Kayaking

1:00pm -1:45 pm

$10/person upon registration (after registering, you will be taken to a page where you can make your payment)

Single Kayaks

Double Kayaks

Dress comfyBring a mask if you are not vaccinatedRead Eshel’s Gathering PolicyThe address will be sent after registering

How People Change
2021-09-02 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a virtual teaching event in preparation for the High Holidays entitled:
How People Change with Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Thursday, September 2, 2021
7:00 pm ET | 6:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm PT
How do people change? The question is asked by sociologists and psychologists, by moral philosophers, and, of course, by rabbis. How people change, as individuals and as groups, is a key question for us all.
In this shiur, we will explore our own longing for personal change during the Yamim Noraim, alongside the possibility of communal movement toward greater understanding, empathy, and embrace of LGBTQ+ people.
Join Rabbi Steve Greenberg as he explores the overlap between contemporary thinkers and traditional resources on the topic of change. Please register to receive the Zoom login details.

Register here to receive the Zoom login details:

Eshel Toronto & Montreal LGBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Rosh HaShanah
2021-09-06 19:00 - 21:00
While all are welcome, this virtual meetup is for Eshel Toronto & Montreal community members (i.e. LGBTQ+ folks who come from Orthodox communities)!

For notifications and sign-in information, please register below (You only need to register for this group one time.)

Join the Meetup

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Eshel Brooklyn Women's LBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Rosh HaShanah
2021-09-07 20:00 - 21:00
Women’s New York Area Meetup on Zoom
What: Meet other individuals who identify as female and who are exploring their Orthodox LGBTQ+ identities.
When: Meeting Weekly: Every Tuesday from 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)

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Eshel Drop-In for Parents - Cancelled for Rosh HaShanah
2021-09-08 12:00 - 13:00

Eshel New York City LGBTQ+ Meetup
2021-09-13 19:30 - 21:00
Calling all adult members of the NYC queer community who are Orthodox, formerly Orthodox, or “Ortho-curious.” If you are interested in connecting with other individuals who are exploring their Orthodox LGBTQ+ identity please join us! Members will have the opportunity to mingle and engage in peer-led discussions in a casual and confidential environment.
WHAT: A confidential gathering for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are Orthodox, Ortho-curious, or formerly Orthodox.
WHEN: The first Monday of every month | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
WHERE: For notifications and sign-in information, please sign up below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
Questions? Email new-york@eshelonline.org.
Participants are asked to adhere to strict confidentiality.

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Eshel Chicago Parents Meetup - Postponed to October 12
2021-09-14 19:30 - 21:00
Please Note: The next Parent Chicago Meetup will be held on Tuesday, October 12, due to the holidays. Looking forward to meeting with you….

What: A confidential support group for observant/Orthodox Jewish parents of LGBTQ+ individuals who may be struggling with their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity and/or wish to connect with other parents like themselves.

Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)

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Eshel Drop-In for Parents - Canceled for Yom Kippur
2021-09-15 12:00 - 13:00

Eshel Toronto & Montreal LGBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Sukkot
2021-09-20 19:00 - 21:00

Eshel South Florida LGBTQ+ & Parents Meetup - Cancelled for Sukkot
2021-09-20 20:00 - 21:30
What: Meet other LGBTQ+ individuals in the area of Miami, Florida! Family members and relatives of LGBTQ+ folks are also welcome to join! Our coordinators speak Spanish and French.
When: The third Monday of each month from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Upcoming meetings include:
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
For more information or questions, please contact us at southflorida@eshelonline.org.

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Eshel Brooklyn Women's LBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Sukkot
2021-09-21 20:00 - 21:00

Eshel Drop-In for Parents - Cancelled for Sukkot
2021-09-22 12:00 - 13:00

Eshel Community Virtual Sukkah Hop
2021-09-23 19:30 - 21:00
Please join Eshel’s Community-wide Virtual Sukkah Hop! This event is open to LGBTQ+ folk, Eshel parents, Eshel allies, and members of partnering organizations.
Thursday, September 23, 2021, 7:30 pm ET | 6:30 pm CT | 4:30 pm PT
Zoom in from your sukkah as we hear from Eshel parent Rabbanit Amalia Haas, an organic beekeeper, on the gender roles of bees.
Attention: JQY’s in-person Sukkah event for LGBTQ+ folks, Thursday, September 23, has been cancelled due to weather.

Register here for the Zoom login details, and please consider making a donation after registering. Thank you!

Eshel Teaneck Sukkah Hop - 3 Locations
2021-09-26 15:00 - 18:00
Join the Eshel Teaneck Sukkah Hop, which will be held in 3 locations in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 3:00-5:45 pm.
This event is intended for LGBTQ+ folks, parents, and family members of all ages. (This event is not open to allies.)
Please register to receive an email with the 3 locations and times.
Also, please read Eshel’s Policy for In-Person Meetings: you must be fully vaccinated.

Please consider making a donation after registering. Thank you!

Eshel Toronto & Montreal LGBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
2021-09-27 19:00 - 21:00

Eshel Parents of Trans People & Gender Non-Conforming Support Group - Cancelled for Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
2021-09-27 21:00 - 22:00
What: This group is for traditional Jewish parents who may be struggling with their child’s gender identity and/or wish to connect with other parents like themselves.

When: Fourth Monday of each month, 9:00 PM EST – 8:00 PM CST – 6:00 PM PST
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org

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Eshel Brooklyn Women's LBTQ+ Meetup - Cancelled for Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
2021-09-28 20:00 - 21:00

Eshel Drop-In for Parents - Cancelled for Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
2021-09-29 12:00 - 13:00

Eshel LGBTQ+ Phone-in Support Group: Postponed to October 7
2021-09-29 21:00 - 22:00
What: Join this anonymous phone-in support group for LGBTQ+ individuals who are unable to attend one of our in-person sessions.
When: Fourth Wednesday of every month | 9:00 PM EST
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org

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Orthodox+* People of Trans Experience Support Group
2021-09-30 21:00 - 22:30
Welcome to Eshel’s Newest Meetup!
What: This virtual support group will be a space for people who identify as transgender, non-binary, and gender questioning. All shades of Orthodox including Chareidi, Modern Orthodox, Ex-Orthodox, are welcome to come and share in a safe and confidential virtual group.
When: Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month at 9 pm EST – 6 pm PST.
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
This group is confidential: all attendees are required to adhere to the privacy of its members.
About the Group Coordinator
This Eshel Meetup is led by Joshua Avishur, a transgender Orthodox Jew who enjoys connecting with people and embracing the beauty in all individuals. Joshua is a Masters-in-Social-Work student with experience in mentoring LGBTQ+ folk and developing and leading therapy groups for children and individual counseling with at-risk youth. Joshua is also a transgender panel moderator and panelist.

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Eshel LGBTQ+ Phone-in Support Group - Postponed for Sukkot
2021-10-07 21:00 - 22:00

Marry Me However in Manhattan
2021-10-19 07:00 - 22:00
Register Today Here with the Discount Code: marryme2021

The Wisdoms of Welcome
2021-10-21 19:30 - 21:00
Eshel Across North America Weekend (October 22-24, 2021)
As we read every year in Parashat Vayera, Avraham and Sarah plant an Eshel tree near their tent to signal the welcome of strangers. It is during this weekend that we, the Eshel community, celebrate our commitment to inclusion and dialogue and explore the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim.
The Wisdoms of Welcome
On Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm ET, Rabbi Steve Greenberg will give a shiur on the dangerous delight of Hachnasat Orchim. We are famously exclusive people, yet we have a deep desire to be inclusive. The classical mitzvah of welcoming in strangers can shed new light on the challenges of inclusion. Rabbi Steve Greenberg will explore the rich halakhic and aggadic resources of this mitzvah and its various applications to contemporary life.

Eshel Across North America
2021-10-22 19:30 - 2021-10-23 21:00
Eshel Across North America WeekendOctober 22-24, 2021
As we read every year in Parashat Vayera, Avraham and Sarah plant an Eshel tree near their tent to signal the welcome of strangers. It is during this weekend that we, the Eshel community, celebrate our commitment to inclusion and dialogue and explore the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim.

Check out Eshel Across America Events
DuSiah: Dialogue Between Traditional Queer Jews & Our Rabbis
The Wisdoms of Welcome

DuSiah: Dialogue Between Traditional Queer Jews & Our Rabbis
2021-10-24 19:00 - 21:00
Eshel Across North America Weekend (October 22-24, 2021)
As we read every year in Parashat Vayera, Avraham and Sarah plant an Eshel tree near their tent to signal the welcome of strangers. It is during this weekend that we, the Eshel community, celebrate our commitment to inclusion and dialogue and explore the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim.
DuSiah is a program designed to bring Orthodox rabbis and queer Jews into conversation. The next DuSiah event will be on Zoom, on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at 7:00 pm.
It is entitled: “The Wisdoms of Welcome: Sharing funny, inspiring, awful and awesome stories of being guests or hosts.”
The goal of DuSiah is to pursue mutual understanding rather than agreement or immediate solutions. It is about pursuing mutual understanding as we share the challenge of building an Orthodox community that includes all its children. This is our shared constructive purpose.
After a short introduction, we will move everyone to small “break out rooms” of roughly two Rabbis and two Eshel community members for discussion.
Space is limited, please apply.

Eshel Baltimore/DC Parents & LGBTQ+ Joint Meetup
2021-11-03 19:00 - 21:00
Get together with our Baltimore/DC Eshel family. Join us in this intimate, confidential setting to meet others, like yourself, in the extended Eshel network.
Join us in celebrating the upcoming Rosh Chodesh Kislev with some learning and games. Afterward, we will follow our regular meeting format.
WHAT: A private gathering for LGBTQ+ individuals who are Orthodox, Ortho-curious or formerly Orthodox and for traditional Jewish parents of LGBTQ+ people who may be struggling with their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity and/or wish to connect with other parents like themselves.
WHEN: Meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of every month, 7:00-9:00 pm.
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, please register below, if you haven’t already. (You only need to register for this group one time.)

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Thanks to Our Baltimore/DC Sponsor
