Eshel Online

20s and 30s Game Night
2024-04-15 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
DATE: Monday, April 15
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Times Square; Register for address
Join us for an evening of fun and games at Eshel and JQY’s 20’s and 30’s Queer Boardgame Night! Grab your friends and come enjoy a relaxed atmosphere filled with laughter and friendly competition. Whether you’re a seasoned boardgame enthusiast or just looking for a casual night out, all are welcome to join in the fun. Connect with fellow LGBTQ+ individuals in a welcoming and inclusive environment while bonding over your favorite boardgames. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make new friends and create lasting memories with Eshel and JQY!

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Closeted Men's Support Group
2024-04-16 20:00 - 21:00
Connect with other closeted Orthodox men in a welcoming, supportive, and confidential peer support group. This group offers a warm and empathetic environment where you can share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with other LGBTQ+ frum, Jewish men. This is a nonjudgmental space to explore your questions and concerns wherever you are on your journey. We welcome those from all backgrounds, whether you’re Chassidic, Haredi, Yeshivish, modern Orthodox, or not sure where you fit.

Second Tuesday of the month
8:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm CT / 6:00 pm MT / 5:00 pm PT

Israel Parent Meetup
2024-04-17 12:30 - 13:00
Wednesday, April 177:30 – 8:30 pm Israel TimeZoom
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.
This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English. This group meets in person most months, with a Zoom meeting once per quarter.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

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Israel Parent Meetup
2024-05-22 12:30 - 14:00
Wednesday, May 22 from 7:30 – 9:00 pmJerusalem
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.
This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English. This group meets in person most months, with a Zoom meeting once per quarter.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

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Baltimore Lag Baomer Picnic
2024-05-26 12:00 - 14:30
We’re excited to see you for our Lag Baomer BBQ Picnic! Join us on Sunday, May 26 from 12:00 – 2:30 pm.
We’ll have activities for the whole family! Join us for games, Torah, and plenty of food! We will have a covered pavilion, so the picnic is on rain or shine.

NYC Lag BaOmer BBQ
2024-05-26 15:00 - 18:00
Join us to kickoff Pride month and celebrate Lag B’Omer as we come together as a community to honor our shared identities as Jews and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This kosher event, hosted by Eshel, aims to create a welcoming and safe space for individuals to celebrate their intersecting identities and embrace the diversity within our community.
This event is hosted in the backyard of a Brooklyn apartment – address sent to attendees!
Registration is closed for this event.

Celebration of Eshel
2024-06-04 19:00
Join us for a night of fun and comedy as we celebrate Eshel! Over the past 13 years we have worked together to build LGBTQ+ inclusive orthodox communities, and we’re honored to invite you to celebrate with us at a cocktail reception and program hosted by comedian Talia Reese featuring a conversation with Modi and his partner Leo Veiga.
7:00 pm Dinner and drinks8:00 pm Presentation of Honorees8:45 pm Interview with Modi10:00 pm Dessert
We are thrilled to recognize honorees Lenny and Suzi Fuld and Shlomo Ashkinazy for their commitment to supporting our critical work.
* Cocktail Attire
Ad Sales and Sponsorships close on May 29
Tickets are SOLD OUT

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Shlomo Ashkinazy
Shlomo Ashkinazy became active in the Gay Rights Movement in 1970, just one year after the Stonewall Rebellion. Soon after, he chaired several committees for the Gay Activists Alliance, became a founding member of the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force, and became the first openly Gay person to earn an MSW. After co-founding the Association of Lesbian and Gay Social Workers, Shlomo successfully advocated for policy change and increased sensitivity training for New York State’s Children’s Services. Shlomo continued his advocacy for LGBT children in foster care, going on to co-found the Hetrick-Martin Institute in 1979 and creating the world’s first Gay high school, Harvey Milk High School. Additionally, he opened NYC’s first shelter for homeless LGBT youth, Madrigal House, and served as its Executive Director.
In 1979, while serving as a marshal during a demonstration against the film Cruising, Shlomo became the victim of Police Brutality. After winning a lawsuit against the city for the beating that he sustained, and which landed him in the hospital, Shlomo used that victory to introduce Gay sensitivity training to Police Precincts in Greenwich Village.
As a guest on the Phil Donahue Show in 1985, Shlomo Ashkinazy was the first person to ever appear on television and speak about reconciling the identities of being both Gay and an Orthodox Jew. Shlomo has been working since then to help others reconcile these identities as well. Since 1983, Shlomo has facilitated a support group for Gay Orthodox Jewish men. Shlomo is also proud to have served as a consultant and to have been featured on the 2001 groundbreaking documentary, “Trembling Before G-d.” He has been a frequent speaker at screenings of this film in synagogues, churches and community organizations, promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance within the religious community, and supporting the role of religion in the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Shlomo has served on Eshel’s board since 2013.

Susan and Leonard Fuld
Almost immediately after their son Avi came out in 2012, Suzi and Lenny have been involved with Eshel. When Avi signed up to attend his first Eshel retreat, his parents said; “That sounds like a great idea, can we come too?”. His answer was very clear, “No!” This led Suzi and Lenny to reach out to Eshel to figure out how they, as parents, could get support, and more than that, how they could help support other parents. The parent support initiatives started with a phone in group, and culminated at the end of the year with Eshel’s first parent retreat. Since then Eshel has had 11 parent retreats; Eshel’s parent support programs, including the parent retreat and parent support groups have served hundreds of parents, affecting the lives of over a thousand LGBTQ+ Orthodox children.
Suzi and Lenny are the parents of 4 adult children, 4 children-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. Suzi has been an early childhood educator, special needs advocate, and communal volunteer for four decades. Suzi is proud to be the first straight member of the Eshel board, where she has served for almost 10 years. She believes that each of us, whether LGBTQ or straight, can help propel Eshel’s mission forward.
Lenny, founder of Fuld & Co. and The Intelligent Nonprofit, has helped Eshel grow using the field of competitive intelligence and continues to be the force behind Eshel’s strategic growth and PR campaigns. Lenny has consulted with Eshel in the areas of public relations and long-range planning by leading strategy sessions, creating surveys, and writing reports.
Lenny and Suzi have dedicated countless hours to help develop and grow Eshel’s parent programs. Eshel was there for them when they most needed it; and now the Fulds want to be there for those who will follow.

Host Committee

Robin and Daniel AmsterRabbi Gavriel BellinoCliff BoroElaine Chapnik and Felicity ArengoStefanie and Matt DiamondYitz Preis and Scott EttingerRichard and Sabina FeczkoIke Fisher and Lourdes SuarezDana FriedmanAvi Fuld and Andrew GilsonGreg Gershman and Peninah Taragin GershmanChana and Noam HiltzikKevin JenningsMiryam Kabakov and Mara BenjaminSimon KaminetskySteve Kay Kupietzky

Marjorie and Ed LetzterYocheved and Nathan LindenbaumMiriam and Ira ParnessLeo Paige and Benjamin PicketKenneth and Regene PragerJessica and Gary RozenshteynYehudit and Meyer ShieldsJulie Sissman and Phil RichterJoanna Samuels and Jeremy HockensteinTzvi and Alyson SmallGil and Leon TregerKenny WagnerMichal and Noam WeinbergerChavie WeisbergerEly Winkler

Supporters
Aviv FoundationE. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter FoundationMicah Foundation (Ann and Jeremy Pava, Trustees)Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

Tickets are sold out!

Chicago | Truth and Community: A Torah Discussion about the Closeted Experience
2024-06-09 09:30
Is it ever ok to lie? How does concealing the truth impact our relationship with the community? Rabbi Shua Brick will explore our tradition’s nuanced approach to truth-telling, and how these texts can be understood and applied to the closeted experiences of LGBTQ+ people. He’ll also share about his journey getting semikha at RIETS while coming out to himself and to the community.
Join us after Shacharit for a light breakfast, Torah learning, and Q&A with Rabbi Shua Brick. Register below for reminders – walk-ins welcome.
Sunday, June 9 at 9:30 am (following Shacharit)Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob8825 E Prairie Rd, Skokie, IL 60076
Rabbi Shua Brick is the Director of Family Learning at the Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland, and Jewish Studies Faculty at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay. Originally from West Hempstead New York, Shua is a Wexner Graduate Fellow who received Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva University, where he went for high school and undergrad, as well as pursued a dual masters in Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Education. He was recently featured in the Forward as he is one of the first openly gay congregational rabbis at an Orthodox synagogue.

Israel Parent Meetup
2024-06-19 19:30 - 21:00
Broken Roads: Leadership, Authenticity, and Sexuality with Dr. Mark ShinarJune 19, 7:30 – 9:00 pm in Beit ShemeshRSVP Required. Dairy dinner.
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.
This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English. This group meets in person most months, with a Zoom meeting once per quarter.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

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NYC Meetup: Kvell & Cocktails
2024-07-08 19:30 - 21:30
Come together with other Orthodox LGBTQ+ people to learn about the art of mixology with Rochelle Goldberger. There will be schmoozing, cocktails and mocktails, and community fun! Just because pride month is over, it don’t mean we’re done gathering as queer Jews. This event is for people age 21 and over.
Join Eshel for a New York City meetup every month! Connect in person with other Orthodox LGBTQ+ people, make new friends, and try something new.
Registration is closed for this month’s event now.

Israel Parent Meetup
2024-07-17 12:00 - 13:00
Wednesday, July 177:30 – 9:00 pmRamat Beit Shemesh
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

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Eshel Summer Book Series: Queer Judaism with Orit Avishai
2024-07-18 19:30 - 20:30 | Lehrhaus, 425 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143, United States
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Eshel is partnering with Lehrhaus in Somerville, MA to Celebrate the Anniversaries of three groundbreaking books this summer on the Queering of Traditional Judaism.

June 18 – Wrestling with God and Men (2004) by Steve Greenberg
July 18 – Queer Judaism (2023) by Orit Avishai
August 18 – Keep Your Wives Away From Them (2011) by Miryam Kabakov

About the Book
Queer Judiasm: LGBT Activism and the Remaking of Jewish Orthodoxy in IsraelOrit Avishai
Until fairly recently, Orthodox people in Israel could not imagine embracing their LGBT sexual or gender identity and staying within the Orthodox fold. But within the span of about a decade and a half, Orthodox LGBT people have forged social circles and communities and become much more visible. This has been a remarkable shift in a relatively short time span. Queer Judaism offers the compelling story of how Jewish LGBT persons in Israel created an effective social movement.
Drawing on more than 120 interviews, Orit Avishai illustrates how LGBT Jews accomplished this radical change. She makes the case that it has taken multiple approaches to achieve recognition within the community, ranging from political activism to more personal interactions with religious leaders and community members, to simply creating spaces to go about their everyday lives. Orthodox LGBT Jews have drawn from their lived experiences as well as Jewish traditions, symbols, and mythologies to build this movement, motivated to embrace their sexual identity not in spite of, but rather because of, their commitment to Jewish scripture, tradition, and way of life. Unique and timely,Queer Judaism: LGBT Activism and the Remaking of Jewish Orthodoxy in Israel (NYU Press, 2023) challenges popular conceptions of how LGBT people interact and identify with conservative communities of faith.

About the Author:
Orit Avishai is a sociologist at Fordham University in New York, where she is affiliated with the Center for Jewish Studies. She has a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley and law degrees from the Yale Law School and Tel Aviv University. She teaches courses on religion, gender, sexuality, and American politics. Her book Queer Judaism: LGBT Activism and the Remaking of Jewish Orthodoxy in Israel addresses how traditional religious values and practice in Israel is being reshaped by the life choices of LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews.

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The next and final event in this series is on August 18 – Keep Your Wives Away From Them (2011) by Miryam Kabakov

NYC | Queer and Jewish Textiles Workshop
2024-08-05 19:30 - 21:00
Join us for an engaging presentation on the rich world of Jewish and queer textiles, led by Jamie Lebovics (they/them)!
Discover how textiles in every culture have been used to express history, personality, and identity. Explore a variety of textiles with Jewish significance, such as tallit, challah covers, and different styles of head coverings, as well as textiles with queer significance, including handkerchiefs for flagging and gender-affirming garments.
After the presentation, participate in a hands-on workshop where you can express your creativity. We look forward to a fun and inspiring session that celebrates the intersection of these rich traditions!
Registration is now closed!

LGBTQ+ Support Group
2024-08-14 20:00 - 21:00
A confidential space for LGBTQ+ adults who are Orthodox, formerly Orthodox, or Orthodox-adjacent to access peer support, share their experiences, and connect and gain insights from others.

Second Monday of the month
8:00 pm ET, 7:00 pm CT, 6:00 pm MT, 5:00 pm PT
Register below for Zoom link and to receive notifications each month.

Boston | Eshel Summer Book Series: Keep Your Wives Away from Them with Miryam Kabakov
2024-08-18 19:30 - 20:30 | Lehrhaus, 425 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143, United States
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Eshel is partnering with Lehrhaus in Somerville, MA to Celebrate the Anniversaries of three groundbreaking books this summer on the Queering of Traditional Judaism.

June 18 – Wrestling with God and Men (2004) by Steve Greenberg
July 18 – Queer Judaism (2023) by Orit Avishai
August 18 – Keep Your Wives Away From Them (2011) by Miryam Kabakov

About the Book
Keep Your Wives Away from Them: Orthodox Women, Unorthodox Desires: An AnthologyMiryam Kabakov
Reconciling queerness with religion has always been an enormous challenge. When the religion is Orthodox Judaism, the task is even more daunting. This anthology takes on that challenge by giving voice to genderqueer Jewish women who were once silenced–and effectively rendered invisible–by their faith. Keep Your Wives Away from Them tells the story of those who have come out, who are still closeted, living double lives, or struggling to maintain an integrated “single life” in relationship to traditional Judaism–personal stories that are both enlightening and edifying. While a number of films and books have explored the lives of queer people in Orthodox and observant Judaism, only this one explores in depth what happens after the struggle, when the real work of building integrated lives begins. The candor of these insightful stories in Keep Your Wives Away from Them makes the book appealing to a general audience and students of women’s, gender, and LGBTQ studies, as well as for anyone struggling personally with the same issue. Contributors include musician and writer Temim Fruchter, Professor Joy Ladin, writer Leah Lax, nurse Tamar Prager, and the pseudonymous Ex-Yeshiva Girl.

About the Author:
Miryam Kabakov is a national leader who has worked for more than three decades on the inclusion of LGTBQ+ individuals in the Orthodox world. Miryam is Executive Director and ​co-founder of Eshel, a national organization that supports LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals and their families. Prior to being a leader at Eshel, Miryam was the New York and National Program Director of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Director of LGBT programming at the JCC Manhattan, Social Worker at West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, and was the first social worker at Footsteps. Miryam received her MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She also received a certificate in fundraising from the University of St. Thomas and a certificate in program evaluation from the University of Washington, and has a background in informal Jewish education from Brandeis University. She founded the New York Orthodykes, a support group for lesbian, bisexual and transgender Orthodox women, and is the editor of Keep Your Wives Away From Them: Orthodox Women, Unorthodox Desires (North Atlantic Books, May 2010), a collection of writings about the challenges and joys of LBT Orthodox Jews and winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award.

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NYC | 20s and 30s Game Night with JQY
2024-08-19 18:30 - 20:30
Join Eshel and JQY for a delightful evening filled with board games, sushi, and great company! Whether you’re a strategic mastermind or just love a good roll (of the dice and sushi), this night is for you. If you’re an LGBTQ+, Jew in your 20s and 30s looking to connect and unwind then join us and bring your game face and an appetite!

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Parents Drop-In Support Group
2024-09-04 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 Baltimore/DC Parents & LGBTQ+ Joint Meetup
2024-09-04 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: 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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NYC | Setting Intentions for Elul
2024-09-09 19:30 - 21:00
Come join us for a fun and inspiring evening as we come together to set our intentions for Elul! Come meet our awesome new Director of Advancement, Ely Winkler, and enjoy a tasty sushi dinner and wine to kick things off.
We’ll dive into a guided intention-setting session that will help you step into the High Holiday season feeling focused and energized. Whether you’re here to make new friends, set some goals, or just indulge in great food and conversation, this event is the perfect way to start Elul on a high note. Don’t miss out on the good vibes!

Israel Parent Meetup
2024-09-12 19:30
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.
This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English. This group meets in person most months, with a Zoom meeting once per quarter.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

Sign up for our other newsletters

Women's LBTQ+ Support Group
2024-09-12 20:30 - 21:45
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 THURSDAY (Previously Tuesday) from 8:30 pm – 9:45 pm
Where: For notifications and sign-in information, register below. (You only need to register for this group one time.)

South Florida LGBTQ+ & Parents Meetup
2024-09-16 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.
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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Orthodox+* People of Trans Experience Support Group
2024-09-19 21:00 - 22:30
Welcome to Eshel’s 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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Boston | LGBTQ+ Shabbat Dinner
2024-09-20 18:30 - 21:30
Celebrate Shabbat and the LGBTQ+ community!
Join Eshel and the Tremont Street Shul for a festive Kabbalat Shabbat followed by dinner. We’re bringing together our LGBTQ+ community and allies to meet new friends, deepen connections, and build community. With special thanks to the Beker Foundation.
Register below!Students: $18TBS Members: $20Non-TBS Members: $26

Israel Parent Meetup
2024-09-23 13:30 - 15:00
Join Eshel’s local chapter in Israel for parents of LGBTQ+ children.
This group will provide support and build community in an intimate, confidential setting in English. This group meets in person most months, with a Zoom meeting once per quarter.
Register below for monthly reminders, links, and location details.

Parents of Trans & Gender Nonconforming Children Support Group
2024-09-23 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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Nashim Mesolelot: Lesbian Women and Halakha
2024-09-25 20:00 - 22:00
Join us in Riverdale or online!

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NYC | Challah Bake
2024-10-14 19:30 - 21:00
Join us for an evening of community, reflection, and connection at Eshel’s Challah Bake on Monday, October 14th from 7:30 – 9:30 pm at the Manhattan JCC. In commemoration of the anniversary of October 7th, we’ll come together to make challah with premade dough and a variety of toppings to customize your own loaf to take home. As part of this, we’ll also take challah in memory of the victims of October 7th and pray for the safe return of the hostages. Whether you’re a challah-making pro or a beginner, we’d love to have you join us.

POSTPONED! Unfortunately we will need to postpone our challah bake to a future date. We look forward to seeing you later!

Chicago | LGBTQ+ Sukkot Party
2024-10-20 17:30 - 20:30
Celebrate Sukkot with Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Jewish community!
Join us on Sunday, October 20 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm in Skokie to meet new people, build community, and celebrate Sukkot with other LGBTQ+ Jews. Eshel builds community for LGBTQ+ adults connected to the traditional Jewish community.

Jerusalem Sukkot Gathering
2024-10-20 18:30 - 21:00
Join Eshel’s community in Israel for a Sukkot celebration in Jerusalem! Sunday, October 20 from 6:30 – 9:00 pmRSVP to miriamlschwartz@gmail.com
