Eshel Online

Eshel Parent Retreat
2019-12-06 14:00 - 2019-12-08 12:00 (America/New_York)
“We wait all year for the Eshel Parent Retreat”

Your wait is over. Registration is open for The 7th Annual Eshel Parent Retreat for Parents of LGBTQ+ Children.

Join parents in a Comforting, Caring, Community!

Read more and register here!

Baltimore/DC LGBTQ+ & Parents Meetup
2019-12-04 19:00 - 21:00
What: A private gathering for LGBTQ+ individuals who are Orthodox, Ortho-curious, or formerly Orthodox and for traditional Jewish parents of LGBTQ+ people.
When: The first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm.
To get more information and the call-in number, fill out this form.

Philadelphia Meet Up
2019-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 | William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia
Get together with our Philadelphia Eshel family. Join us in this intimate, confidential setting to meet others, like yourself, in the extended Eshel network.
WHAT: A confidential gathering for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are Orthodox, Ortho-curious or formerly Orthodox.
WHEN: First Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fill out this form to get the location.
Refreshments and conversation.
Participants asked to adhere to strict confidentiality.
Please contact philly@eshelonline.org if you have any questions about this group.

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Eshel Across America
2019-11-15 17:00 - 2019-11-16 22:00
The Extraordinary Power of a Shared Meal
This coming Shabbat VaYera, the Torah portion where the “eshel”, the sheltering tree is planted, we are urging individuals in communities across the country to emulate Sarah and Abraham’s fearless hospitality. On a daily basis, we ask our clergy, leaders, educators, parents, and allies to welcome in someone who has a very different story than their own. To engage with the unfamiliar, and be open to difference is a holy act. By stretching our tent pins and expanding our table conversations to include new people, we celebrate Abraham and Sarah’s open-heartedness and willingness to bring in the unfamiliar.
On Shabbat VaYera we find Abraham running to welcome in dusty bedouin travelers, total strangers, into his and Sarah’s tent, and to serve them a feast. Later in the reading Abraham plants an eshel, a tamarisk tree, beside their tent to mark their home as welcoming. The tree’s meaning is explained in various ways, all of which affirm Abraham and Sarah’s identities as the open-hearted, curious, and convivial matriarch and patriarch that they are.
On Parshat Vayera, we ask you to be like Sarah and Abraham.
If someone in shul seems out of place, if there’s a new person at work who has just come to town, if you know someone who would just like company, then take this opportunity to open your tent door.
We at Eshel urge our communities to become aware of the LGBTQ people in our midst. If all of our LGBTQ people and their families were overwhelmed this week with Shabbat invitations wouldn’t the Shechina (God’s earthly presence) rejoice? “Greater is welcoming in guests than receiving the face of the Shechina!”
So for Shabbat VaYera stretch the tent pins and open up the entryways. Sign up here to be a host, and as long as our supplies last, Eshel will send you a gift for extending yourself. We will also send along some divrei torah as conversation starters. Stay tuned!
Sign up here!

Bridging the Divides, Fostering Inclusivity
2019-11-12 19:00 - 20:00
Bridging the Divides, Fostering Inclusivity: Rabbinic, Psychoanalytic and Academic Perspectives on Traditional Judaism and Contemporary Gender/Sex Identities, featuring Miryam Kabakov of Eshel.
For more information and to register, click here.

Philadelphia Meetup
2019-11-10 17:30 - 19:30 | PA, United States
Get together with our Philadelphia Eshel family. Join us at a local kosher restaurant to meet and socialize with others, like yourself, in the extended Eshel network.
WHAT: A confidential gathering for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are Orthodox, Ortho-curious or formerly Orthodox.
WHEN: Sunday, November 10, 2019
WHERE: Fill out this form to RSVP and for location information.
Participants asked to adhere to strict confidentiality.
Please contact philly@eshelonline.org if you have any questions about this group.

Baltimore/D.C. Meetup for LGBTQ+ and Parents
2019-10-16 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.
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: Please fill out this form to RSVP and for location information.

Parents of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Children
2019-10-06 21:00 - 22:30
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: Sunday, October 6, at 9:00 PM EST
Where: Please fill out this form to receive the call-in number. If you have filled out this form before, you are already on a list to receive an email reminder with details about this group. There is no need to fill this out more than once.
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org

New York City Meetup
2019-10-02 19:00 - 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 discussion 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: First Tuesday of Every Month | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
WHERE: Please RSVP by completing this form and we will email you the address.
Questions? Email new-york@eshelonline.org.
Participants are asked to adhere to strict confidentiality.

Cleaning Out the Closet
2019-09-15 19:00 - 21:00
What’s in your closet? Even once we’re OUT, there can be a lot of “stuff” that we leave behind in there. As religious Jews, it can be a struggle to build lives without some of that “stuff.”
This is an Eshel Group of GBTQ+ who wants to share, question, and learn facilitated by Rabbi Steve Greenberg, Eshel’s Founding Director.
Register here!

We, Too, Are YU: Students March for LGBTQ Representation
2019-09-15 11:00 - 14:00
R. Steve Greenberg will be the first speaker at the rally, at 12:15 pm!
Pride never ends. That is why, on September 15th, the YU College Democrats are hosting a march and rally, beginning at Bennett Park and ending at the Wilf Campus, in support of more LGBTQ+ representation for YU students. For far too long, LGBTQ+ students have been forced into the closet by the administration. They are given a difficult time about hosting events and gaining approval for a Gay-Straight Alliance. They are hidden away, with YU leadership pretending they don’t exist.
We are marching to prove that LGBTQ+ students belong at Yeshiva University. Not only do they attend YU, but they ARE YU. Join us if you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or an ally – friends, family, faculty – and believe that LGBTQ+ students deserve to be heard.
Bring your flags, signs, and t-shirts! Let’s show YU what we’re made of. Look for Eshel when you get there!
Register Today!

St. Louis Parents Meetup
2019-08-27 19:00 - 21:00
WHAT: A private gathering for 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: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 7:00 pm.
Where: Please fill out this form to RSVP and for location information.

Join Eshel for a Day at the Beach
2019-08-18 10:00 - 22:00
Register Today!
Shlomo Ashkinazy and his husband Michael Gomillion have generously invited members of Eshel to join them on Sunday, August 18, in Cherry Grove on Fire Island, where they will be spending the week in a lovely rented beach house.
Cherry Grove offers a variety of opportunities for fun activities to choose from including, beautiful beach, hotel pool, nature walks, an extremely 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)
This invitation is limited to the first 30 people who register and are only open to people who are 21 years old or over.
EVENT INFORMATION:
The beach, the pool, the 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, while taking advantage of having Shlomo and Michael’s place as a central meeting spot for resting up, washing up, bathroom spot, eating, and coordinating the day (and possible Mincha service) before, between, and after other activities.
We are also hoping to have a late Potluck lunch, so people are requested to bring along a food item to share that would be sufficient to serve 6 people. All food must be kosher and either dairy or pareve.
Don’t Forget to Bring:
Swim Suit
Towel
Beach Blanket
Sandals
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Please note: Cherry Grove is a world-famous, predominantly LGBT Community, with a reputation for skimpy attire and occasional nudity. Much of the entertainment includes off-color humor and coarse language. This event is restricted to adults and is not recommended for people who may be embarrassed or offended by such material.
GETTING THERE:
Cherry Grove is located on Fire Island and is accessible by Ferry from the Ferry Terminal in Sayville, Long Island.
Round Trip Ferry Fare is $18.00
Sayville Ferry Service
Travel to Sayville, Long Island via the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station:
(Mini-Buses transport passengers from the Sayville train depot directly to the Ferry Terminal, a few minutes away)
Long Island Railroad Schedule- Penn Station to Sayville:
https://lirr42.mta.info/index.php
Travel to Sayville, Long Island by car:
Sayville can also be reached by car via the Long Island Expressway or the Southern State Parkway.
Eshel will provide a link to the ride board for people looking for or offering rides. Cars are not allowed in Cherry Grove, so drivers will need to leave their cars in the Parking Lot at the Ferry Terminal and take the ferry (Parking is $10 per day).
Expect a minimum of 2 hours of travel time from Manhattan.
*the house address will be shared a few days prior to the event, with those who have registered.
**Please note that this is a public event, so comments, likes, and attendance will be visible to the public

Montreal LGBTQ+ Pride Picnic
2019-08-13 18:00 - 22:00
What: Join Eshel Montreal as we celebrate Montreal’s pride week! Meet fellow Orthodox LGBTQ+ folk with while enjoying an outdoor picnic.
When: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 | 6:00 PM EST
Where: For the exact location, please register here.
Questions? Email montreal@eshelonline.org

Parents of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Children
2019-08-12 21:00 - 22:30
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: August 12, at 9:00 PM EST
Where: Please fill out this form to receive the call-in number. If you have filled out this form before, you are already on a list to receive an email reminder with details about this group. There is no need to fill this out more than once.
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org

Long Island Parents Meet Up
2019-08-03 21:30
Who: A private gathering in West Hempstead, Long Island, for parents of LGBTQ people who live within Orthodox communities and struggle with their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Where: Please RSVP by completing this form and we will email you the address.
When: Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 9:30 PM
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org

Eshel Trans Wellness Conference Shabbaton
2019-07-26 16:00 - 2019-07-27 16:00
Join Eshel Philadelphia for a Shabbaton in Center City, Philadelphia, the weekend of the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Eshel Philadelphia will host the group for Shabbos dinner at a local shul. There will be davening available on Friday night and Shabbos morning at neighborhood orthodox shuls and kiddush at one of the shuls. Saturday afternoon will be Third Meal, and Saturday night a community gathering.
The Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference is an annual event free and open to the public in Philadelphia. The Conference and Shabbaton take place within the city’s eruv and all events are Shabbos accessible. See the full schedule and register for free on the Conference website: mazzonicenter.org/trans-wellness.
Eshel Philadelphia welcomes the wider Eshel community to the Shabbaton. Attendance at any parts of the Conference are welcome and not obligatory.
Attendees are responsible for arranging their own sleeping accommodations. There are many options within the Eruv and close proximity of all Shabbaton events. The Conference offers these nearby accommodations which have discounts that weekend. AirBnB shows these available rooms in Center City, Philadelphia, PA. The blocks around the Convention Center are all well within the Eruv and within an easy walk of the Conference and Shabbos programming.
We are committed to making our Trans Wellness Conference Shabbat event accessible to all; let us know if there is any reason you cannot attend. Write to us at info@eshelonline.org.
Click here register here for the Eshel Trans Wellness Shabbaton!

St. Louis Parents Meet Up - New!
2019-07-14 06:30 - 08:30
WHAT: A private gathering for 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: July 14, 2019 at 10:30 am.
Where: Please fill out this form to RSVP and for location information.

Phone-In Orthodox Parent Support Group - NATIONAL - 9 PM ET
2019-07-03 21:00 - 22:00 | Phone In: Nation Wide
This group is for Orthodox Jewish parents with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children seeking peer support. We will also discuss ways to help parents and families navigate in their communities and to become advocates for their children.
FIRST WEDS OF THE MONTH!

This group meets by phone conference call at 6 PM PT/8 PM CT/ 9 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month.
To get more information and the call-in number, fill out this form. If you have questions, write to info@eshelonline.org.
Confidentiality: Everyone is asked to keep what they hear in the group completely confidential. Participants should feel free to use a pseudonym.

Parents of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Children
2019-07-01 16:00 - 17:30
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: July 1st at 8:00 PM EST
Where: Please fill out this form to receive the call-in number. If you have filled out this form before, you are already on a list to receive an email reminder with details about this group. There is no need to fill this out more than once.
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org
For more info visit our website.

Chicago Parents Meet Up
2019-06-30 11:00 - 12:30
What: 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: Sunday, June 30, 2019 | 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST
Where: Please fill out this form to receive the address. If you have filled out this form before, you are already on a list to receive an email reminder with details about this group. There is no need to fill this out more than once.
Questions? Email chicago@eshelonline.org
For more information visit our website.

Celebrate World Pride with Eshel
2019-06-30 07:00 - 12:00
Celebrate World Pride with LGBTQ Jews and allies of all ages and backgrounds at the 4th annual Jew York Pride! Festivities begin at 11am with brunch in the Times Square area. Then, at 1pm, we will line up and march as the Jew York Pride delegation. Brunch and march locations provided upon registration at www.keshetonline.org/events/nyc-pride-rsvp.
This event is hosted by Eshel, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah – CBST, JQY, Keshet, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, and UJA-Federation of New York, and co-sponsored by A Wider Bridge, Ansche Chesed, B’nai Jeshurun NYC, Beth El Synagogue Center, Columbia/Barnard Hillel, Footsteps, The Jewish Theological Seminary – JTS, METNY USY, Sephardic-Mizrahi Q Network, and Westchester Jewish Center

Get your Ortho-queer Comedy on! Celebrate Stonewall Eshel-style!
2019-06-26 14:45 - 18:00
It’s Eshel’s tenth anniversary, so we’re puttin’ on a show! It’s been fifty years since the Stonewall Riots, and we’re celebrating with a laugh riot! Join us on June 26! Seven hilarious Jewish comics will come together to celebrate Jewish LGBT Pride, the Eshel way.
There’s a VIP reception before the show! You can meet the comics, have a nosh, and support Eshel all at the same time.
Come join the fundraiser! Have a good time for a great cause. Try Eshel’s new signature drink, the Esheltini!
General Admission: 8:00 pm
VIP Reception: 6:45 pm
For VIP Table service, write to francesco@eshelonline.org
RSVP Here Today!

Eshel Orthodox Parents Phone-in Support Group
2019-06-05 21:00 - 22:00 | Phone In: Nation Wide
What: This group is for Orthodox Jewish parents with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children seeking peer support. We will also discuss ways to help parents and families navigate in their communities and to become advocates for their children.
When: the first Wednesday of the month.

Where: This group meets by a phone conference call at 6 PM PT/8 PM CT/ 9 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month.
For notifications and sign-in information, please register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)
If you have questions, write to info@eshelonline.org.
Confidentiality: Everyone is asked to keep what they hear in the group completely confidential. Participants should feel free to use a pseudonym.

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The LGBTQ Jewish Marching Group at the NYC Israel Parade!
2019-06-02 08:45 - 11:00
Come out and celebrate Israel with Eshel, along with A Wider Bridge, JQY and Keshet!
We will meet at Section 7E/Cluster 5, on 53rd Street between 5th and Madison at 12:45 pm (Sunday, June 2).
Let us know you are joining!

Eshel DC/Baltimore Lag Ba'Omer Picnic
2019-05-26 09:00 - 12:00
Join Eshel DC/Baltimore for a family lag ba’omer picnic
When: Sunday, May 26, at 1:00PM
Where: Address provided upon RSVP
RSVP here or call Chana at 410-370-1288.

Eshel Montreal discussion event on the LGBT situation in Israel
2019-05-22 15:00 - 18:00
Hey everyone,
Come over this Wednesday at 7 pm for an unforgettable event on the current situation of gay rights in Israel, complete with a Power Point presentation plus discussion. The evening will be an informative one, in conjunction with Moishe House, to discuss Israel’s current status on Gay rights. Is it a “Don’t ask don’t Tel Aviv” policy? Is it the Bay Area of the Middle East? Or is it really a living Gay-haynom?
Please spread the word to as many folks as possible!!!!
For questions, please contact montreal@eshelonline.org. RSVP here to obtain the address.
See you this Wednesday evening!
Yosef

Eshel DC/Baltimore Movie Brunch
2019-05-19 06:00 - 08:30
Join Eshel DC/Baltimore for our monthly movie brunch where we screen LGBTQ related films and have brunch. This month’s film will be “The Celluloid Closet”, a documentary about the portrayal of LGBTQ folk in film through the decades.
When: May 19, 10:00AM
Where: Location upon RSVP.
RSVP here or call Chana at 410-370-1288 so we know how much food we need to have.

Wellbeing Tour
2019-05-10 04:00 - 2019-05-19 13:00
Last September, the Office of the Chief Rabbi released a 33-page Guide to make Orthodox schools responsible for the wellbeing of all their students entitled “The Wellbeing of LGBT+ Pupils: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Schools.” From May 10-19, Eshel is bringing the co-authors, Dr. Benjamin Ellis and Dalia Fleming of KeshetUK, to five U.S. cities.
Read more!

Parents of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Children
2019-05-06 14:00
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: The 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from February 2019-May 2019 | 6:00 PM EST
Dates:
February 25
March 11
March 26 *NOTE: this is a Tuesday
April 8
May 6

Where: Please fill out this form to receive the call-in number. If you have filled out this form before, you are already on a list to receive an email reminder with details about this group. There is no need to fill this out more than once.
Questions? Email info@eshelonline.org
For more info visit our website.
