Eshel Online

Eshel in Toronto
2016-12-06 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Join this exciting event!

Rabbi Steve Greenberg of Eshel will facilitate an open conversation about how Orthodoxy can face the challenges of LGBT inclusion in Toronto.

This meeting is for LGBT Jews and their family members, friends and allies.

RSVP at info@eshelonline.org

At the home of Ellen and Warren Grossman
244 Strathallan Wood
Toronto, M5N1T4 ON

Facilitator Workshop
2016-12-04 09:00 - 11:00
Are you interested in presenting at the Eshel National Retreat but don’t know where to start? Join us for an introductory workshop on facilitating. Come for help brainstorming a topic, turning your topic into an actionable proposal, organizing your ideas into a streamlined presentation, or refreshing your public speaking skills.
This informal workshop will be held salon-style in a private residence in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, close to the 3/4 lines and a short walk to the A/C lines and LIRR. Please email the host to RSVP. Only RSVP-d guests will receive the address.
Max. 10 participants. Light kosher refreshments will be served.
See the Facebook event here!
For more information on the retreat, click here.

Panel in Toronto
2016-12-03 14:30 - 16:30 | Unnamed Venue, 200 Wilmington Avenue & 9600 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Canada
Sinai & Sexuality: LGBT Jews Talk about G-d, Torah & Identity

Torah in Motion will be hosting an event featuring some young, observant LGBT Jews (including some Eshel members) who will have an honest and groundbreaking panel discussion. Dr. Elliott Malamet talks with four young and deeply-engaged LGBT individuals about how they understand and live with the challenges, tensions and opportunities of encountering Judaism.
Is it possible to affirm their authentic sexual identities and their commitment to a tradition that has historically articulated a consistent opposition to the manifestation of that identity? How do they feel about God, about Torah, the halachic system and the Jewish communities in which they are involved?
Please join this conversation about the complexities of remaining connected to Judaism and true to oneself.
The event is also going to be live streamed (details on that upcoming).
See updates on the Facebook event page

Tisch this Shabbat in Washington Heights!
2016-12-02 16:00 | Unnamed Venue, 509 w 189th Street. Apt B. , New York, 10033
Friday night, Dec. 2nd, Eshel is sponsoring an LGBTQ and Allies Tisch in Washington Heights.
There are no expectations for one’s gender, sexuality, or religious level for this event, just an expectation to come with a positive attitude. The goal is to gather and celebrate a queer and Jewish friendly environment where members of the community and allies can congregate together.
Place: 509 w 189th Street. Apt B.
Please join us and help feel united in a positive community of singing, cholent, and an opportunity to meet amazing people!

Reception for LGBTQ and Allies at the GA
2016-11-14 13:30 - 15:00 | Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC , 20009
Meet up with Eshel at the GA 2016
A reception for LGBTQ Jews, Families, Friends and Allies
Monday Nov. 14th, 6:30-8 pm

2016-ga-lgbtq-reception-poster
COMPLIMENTARY DRINKS AND HORS D’OEUVRES
Bring a photo ID to get into the GA area

For more information, contact James Cohen at james@keshetonline.org or 786-303-5284

Atlanta Pride Parade
2016-10-09 07:30 - 10:00 | Civic Center MARTA Station, Atlanta, GA, United States
Join Eshel and the SOJOURN contingent
March with us and show your support as an Ally or as an LGBTQ member in the Atlanta Pride Parade
Sign up for a t-shirt here by October 2nd;
choose one of these designs
Details:
Parade Steps off at Noon
Gather by 11:30 am at the Civic Center MARTA Station
Parade Section C March Together to Piedmont Park
Sign up by Oct. 2nd to receive a free t-shirt- good while supplies last!
To get your t-shirt at the march, look for Allen at the parade. Call his cell or text him to find him: # 732-948-4536
Join the Facebook event!

Los Angeles Allies Workshop
2016-09-18 05:15 - 19:30
Eshel-Los Angeles presents an:

Changing the LGBT Conversation in the Orthodox Community
A workshop for anyone interested in creating a more open environment, whether or not you are directly connected to someone who is gay
Sunday, Sept 18 / No fee / RSVP required
Hosted at the law offices of Nelson Hardman
11835 West Olympic Blvd., 9th Floor
9:15 am – Breakfast and Registration
9:30 am – 11:30 am – Interactive Program and Discussion
Space is limited. Sign up here.

During this workshop you will:
• Get resources on how to address tough questions from children and adults
• Understand what words to use that embrace rather than alienate
• Explore how to respond positively to negative comments about LGBT people
• Discuss how we can make our institutions more inclusive
Eshel-Los Angeles works to create positive conversation and culture surrounding LGBT issues in the Los Angeles Orthodox community. We strive to make our community welcoming and embracing of LGBT children, teens, adults and their families.
Eshel is a national organization that creates community and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Jews and their families in Orthodox communities.
Steering Committee: Rena Selya Cohen, Julie Gruenbaum Fax, Susan Fink, Rachel Fried, Josh Kahn, Jeremy Mittman, Shep Rosenman, Miriam Heller Stern.

Family Potluck Picnic
2016-09-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Unnamed Venue, Englewood, NJ, United States
Save the date!
You and your family are invited to celebrate the last licks of summer with our Eshel parents and families.
Join us for the second annual family potluck picnic in the beautiful backyard of our very own Ken and Jeannie Prager in Englewood, NJ
Please use this form to let us know what you would like to bring.
The Prager’s home is accessible by bus from both the uptown (175th st.) and downtown (42nd St.) Port Authorities and is a 5 minute drive from the G.W.Bridge.
You can also RSVP on our Facebook event.
Details will follow.
Kosher vegetarian potluck
RSVP to info@eshelonline.org

Eshel goes to Art Kibbutz
2016-08-28 07:00 - 11:00 | Governor’s Island, Governor's Island Nolan Park 6B, New York
Creative Queers: A Picnic & Performance

This Sunday, join Eshel in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community through dance, art, spoken word, and all other forms of creative expression. Guests are invited to eat, drink, and enjoy entertainment spread across the sprawling green grounds of Governor’s Island and Art Kibbutz summer studios at Nolan Park 6B. We will share food, meet and greet the artists & enjoy movement and audial work-in-progress performance of interdisciplinary artist Moriah Ella Mason as well as a sneak preview of Pearl Gluck’s new film, Summer – about two Chassidic girls falling in love.
This will be followed by a discussion moderated by Chavie Weisberger, Eshel’s Program Director. For more information, see the Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1168069339909898/
Live dance, film screening, art & food at the intersections of Jewish and Queer experience.
A free and breezy event 🙂
Schedule of the day:
11:00am – Tour of Art Kibbutz Open Studios – Nolan Park 6B
12:00 – Dance Performance by Moriah Ella Mason
12:30pm – Film screening by Pearl Gluck ‘Summer’
1:00pm – Moderated discussion with the artists and Chavie Wesiberger
1:30pm – Picnic and relax with your beautiful Creative Queers Community!
Governors Island is accessible by two FREE ferries, one leaving from Manhattan and one leaving from Brooklyn. Manhattan Ferry departs from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street near Staten Island Ferry, accessible from the 1, 4, 5, N, R, J or Z trains. Brooklyn Ferry disembarks from Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, by Atlantic Ave., accessible via R, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains & B23, B65, B61 buses.
Plan to arrive at the ferry landing at least 30 minutes before your desired arrival time at the Art Kibbutz. And make sure to bring water, a picnic blanket or towel, and either of vegetarian dish to share or money for the kosher and non-kosher food trucks.

March in the Celebrate Israel Parade!
2016-06-05 06:30 - 10:00 | Unnamed Venue, Fifth Avenue between 55th and 54th Street, New York, United States
Meet up at: Fifth Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets
Come join A Wider Bridge, Eshel, JQY, Keshet and Mosaic of Westchester as we gather the entire LGBTQ Jewish community in the one glorious, singing, dancing crowd as we celebrate Israel.
We are honored to be near the front of the parade this year but this means we will get an especially early start. We meet at 10:30 SHARP on Fifth Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets. The Parade steps off at 11:00 AM so don’t be late!
You MUST register in advance to get a free t-shirt. You are not registered unless you email your RSVP and t-shirt size to: joseph@awiderbridge.org.

From Stanton to Sixth Street ~ A Welcoming Shuls Shabbat
2016-06-02 - 2016-06-04 | Stanton Street Shul, 180 Stanton St., New York, NY, 10002, United States
Eshel returns for its Second Downtown Manhattan Shabbat with the
Stanton Street Shul and Sixth Street Community Synagogue
“Creating Welcoming Communities”
Sign the letter in support of Rabbi Bodner and Rabbi Bellino who have been attacked for hosting this weekend!

VENUES: We will be in three different downtown venues over the weekend.
Stanton Street Shul: 180 Stanton Street
Sixth Street Community Synagogue: 325 E 6th Street
Saturday Night event: Movie and Pizza @ Base Downtown

Friday, June 3, 7:00 PM~ Services

Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv
VENUE: Stanton Street Shul OR Sixth Street Community Synagogue

Friday, June 3, 8:30 PM ~ Dinner

Dinner followed by Panel Discussion with Parents with LGBT children and Eshel members (Registration for dinner required). Synagogue members from both shuls are invited to the panel discussion after dinner.
VENUE: Sixth Street Community Synagogue

Shabbat, June 4, 9:30 AM ~ Services followed by Kiddush Lunch

VENUE: Stanton Street Shul

Shabbat, June 4, 1:00 PM ~ Panel and discussion

“The Vision, the Benefits and the Challenges of Making Our Communities Welcoming and Embracing”
Panel Discussion with Rabbi Gavriel Bellino and Rabbi Aviad Bodner with Eshel members responding on their visions in making our communities welcoming and embracing of LGBT members.
VENUE: Stanton Street Shul

Walking Tour of the Lower East Side 2:15 – 3:15
VENUE: Starting at the Stanton Street Shul

Shabbat, June 4, 7:00 PM ~ Mincha, Seudah Shlishit and Panel

Mincha followed by Seudat Shlishit followed by speakers:
A Historic Review of Our Story
Following Mincha, a Panel of Orthodox LBGT local synagogue members will discuss being LGBT in their respective shuls – All are welcome
VENUE: Sixth Street Community Synagogue

Shabbat, June 4, 9:10
Maariv/Havdalah
VENUE: Sixth Street Community Synagogue

Join us for the after Party 10 PM
Movie night! In & Out
(Pizza and refreshments, of course)
Base Downtown
RSVP for address info@eshelonline.org

Need a place to stay? Check out the local hotel:
Holiday Inn NYC – Lower East Side
150 Delancey Street
New York City, New York 10002
Phone: 212-475-2500
E-mail: guest.services@holidayinnnyc.com

Eshel Parent Retreat- A Retreat for Orthodox Parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Children - COPAKE, NY
2016-05-13 16:00 - 2016-05-15 14:00 | Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp, 159 Empire Road, Copake, NY, 12516, United States
The Eshel Parent Retreat was the first time I was fully comfortable talking to other people about my LGBT child. —A retreat participant

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST SCHOLAR: Rabbi Chaim Rapoport
London based author, educator and lecturer Rabbi Chaim Rapoport lectures around the world on a broad range of topics pertaining to Jewish life and law and is the author of several scholarly books and articles including Judaism and Homosexuality: An Authentic Orthodox View. His encyclopaedic knowledge of both classical and contemporary Jewish sources alongside his unique humane sensitivity, have shaped his authentic, compassionate, and nuanced approach to the challenges of modernity. In 1998 Rapoport was appointed as a member of the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks’ Cabinet and Advisor to the Chief Rabbi on Medical Ethics. In this capacity, he served as the Chief Rabbi’s spokesperson to the media and the British medical establishment. He served in this position until the Chief Rabbi’s retirement in 2013.

Is this for me?
Read about the one parent’s experience in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Whether you are accepting of your LGBT child or struggling with their identity, or somewhere in between, this is the place for you. No judgments will be made about any retreat participant’s levels of acceptance of their LGBT child. We only ask that each attendee agree to respect other participants’ feelings and attitudes.
What will happen at this weekend?

We will create a confidential and comfortable place to share. By registering each participant agrees to keep details about others confidential during and after the weekend.

Spend the weekend together in a Shomer Shabbes environment where we will daven, sing and eat together.

You will learn new ways to relate to your child that foster understanding and Shalom Bayis.

You will get the support you need to be a better parent.

Rabbi Rapoport will speak about the following topics:

From Behind Closed Doors: An Autobiographical account of a Decade of Rabbinic Dialogue

Jonah and The Whale: The Violent (?) Waves of Reparative Therapy and the Calming of Storm

Kol Haholam Kulo Gesher Tzar Meod: Building Bridges and Communal Relationships

Other topics include:

You, Your LGBT Child, and the Orthodox Community: Does it Take a Village? When your community is there for you, when it is not. Hear from a panel of parents.

Understand Our Adult Child’s Community and Culture

Keeping Our Children Safe: Appropriate Sex Education (for Teens)

Mental Health Issues as they relate to being LGBT

Lifecycle events; K’shem shenichas l’bris…

Schools, Shuls and Tools: Ways to work with the institutions we have in our communities? What is our role in helping our child and our family?

Which Side of the Mechitza? Halachic Issues facing us and our trans children.
DOWNLOAD THE PARENT RETREAT FLYER HERE

Where will it be? Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp

BHEC is a strictly kosher facility located a couple of hours outside of NYC.
159 Empire Road
Copake, NY 12516
Phone: (518) 329-3303
Getting there:
For getting to the retreat site on your own, please visit the retreat website to find out information about Metro North, airplane and car travel to and from the retreat center. Transportation to and from the retreat is at your own expense but if you need a ride we will try to find you one!

Please note: The retreat program begins at 4 PM on Friday through 2 PM Sunday. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
Registration and Pricing

All prices include full room and board per person. Get the early bird special by April 10th, 2016!

Rates:
Based on single occupancy:
$285
Based on double occupancy:
$245

Get an Eshel gift card!
Please let us know if this retreat presents a financial challenge. We will not to turn anyone away!! Special gift cards will be available from the Eshel community to make this retreat affordable to everyone.
Please fill out this form to apply for an Eshel gift card.

Give an Eshel gift card!

Please let us know if you are able to donate a gift card to make it easier for a parent to attend the retreat who cannot otherwise attend. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will make this retreat a reality for someone else.
Please fill out this form to donate an Eshel gift card.

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY:
Some participants may have important reasons for keeping their attendance at the Shabbaton confidential. You have affirmed that you WILL NOT POST OR DISTRIBUTE PHOTOGRAPHS or audio/video recordings of other attendees publicly unless you have the EXPLICIT permission of every attendee represented therein. This includes distribution or posting online on flickr, Facebook, MySpace, and similar sites, as well as anywhere else in which photographs and other representations are publicly available.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Participants who cancel their registration more than 2 weeks before an event are eligible for a refund less a $25 processing fee. Participants who cancel within the last two weeks prior to an event receive a 100% credit toward a future retreat less a $25 processing fee. If you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of the retreat or leave the retreat early no refund or credit is available.

Sha'Brooklyn!
2016-04-15 14:00 - 2016-04-16 19:00
Join Eshel for Sha’Brooklyn:
A Shabbat in *Brownstone Brooklyn
*Locations for all events will be in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights.
Registration is now closed!

Chabad, Satmar, Bobov, Modern, Traditional, OTD and LGBTQ?
Join Eshel for an inspirational weekend retreat in Brooklyn! The Shabbaton will bring together Orthodox and traditional LGBT Jews of all kinds from the New York area to an event aimed to create a community of support, learning, growth and leadership.
The shabbaton will include shabbes meals together, a farbrengen, shiurim, zmiros, sessions relevant to our lives as LGBT frum (or formerly frum) Jews. Meet Chaim Levin, our guest speaker, founder and director of LGBTQ Chabad, a group with over 100 members. Hang out and get to know all the members of this growing community.
We will be gathering together in our own discreet space Friday night. Shabbes day we will join area shuls, and Saturday night we will have a community-wide gathering.
We are committed to making Sha’Brooklyn accessible to all; let us know if there is any reason you cannot attend. Write to us at info@esheloline.org.
Sha’Brooklyn! Schedule
April 15 – April 16

7 PM area shuls for davening
Candle lighting: 7:18
Friday night dinner, 8:30 PM

Friday night we will meet for a private dinner in Crown Heights* and hear from guest speaker Chaim Levin followed by a farbrengen.
(*You will receive the location when you sign up!)
Chaim Levin, our Friday night guest speaker, founder and director of LGBTQ Chabad, will talk about his experience being the successful plaintiff in the case against JONAH.
Shabbos day
The Prospect Heights Shul welcomes Eshel to a learn and lunch at:
Prospect Heights Shul: 235 St. Marks Ave.
9:30 am Davening

11:45 Lunch & Learn

There will be lunch, learning and discussion on LGBTQ inclusion in Orthodox communities.

6:30 pm
Seudah Shlishit at the private home of an Eshel member

9 pm until midnight
Saturday night/ Motzei Shabbos
Celebrate our Freedom!
Location: Mister Rogers Studio, 231 Rogers Avenue btn President St & Union St
Join us for a night of Freedom! At Eshel’s Sha’Brooklyn Saturday night program we are getting rid of the Mitzrayim – boundaries – and celebrating art and joy.
We will be dancing with DJ Shua on a carpet of fresh grass, making rainbow smoothies at our drinks station, and creating our own melted crayon masterpieces.

Need a place to stay? Hospitality will be given on a first come-first served basis. Register now to get on the housing waitlist.

Here’s another idea for a conveniently located place to stay:

Check out The Eshel Center in Crown Heights – (no relation to this Eshel) – for a convenient location to stay the night.
The Eshel Center has reasonably priced rooms for 2-6 people. Spots will fill up.
So call now to make a reservation: (718) 928-3330
https://eshelcenter.org/
https://goo.gl/maps/Hbwym3DgbSn

Halacha and Community: Challenges and Approaches
2016-02-28 03:45 - 08:00 | National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA , 19106
A Yom Iyyun at the National Museum of American Jewish History will take place from 8:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m with Keynote Speaker Rabbi Steve Greenberg of ESHEL. The Yom Iyun will be an exploration of how Orthodox Jewish communities should welcome and include all members of the community. A special emphasis will be placed on issues regarding women, adults with various disabilities and limitations, education of children with various learning needs, and LGBTQ community members.

Cost for the day is $10 in advance (refreshments and lunch will be available) and $15 at the door.
We encourage all to register in advance and you may pay via PayPal to mekorhabracha@gmail.com (please indicate you are registering for the Yom Iyyun). Packets of resource materials will be available electronically for all attendees. More details will follow shortly. For more information, contact Sunnie Epstein at shulisrose@aol.com.

Justice Before There Was Law
2016-02-25 14:30 - 16:00 | JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., New York, NY, 10023
Justice Before There Was Law:
Tzedek and Mishpat in the Book of Genesis
Shuli Taubes
JCC Manhattan, 76th and Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY

BeisCamp Jan. 27th, 2016
2016-01-27 14:30 - 16:00
January 27, 7:30-9 pm
Body and Justice: Where Limitation and Perfection Meet
Aviva Richman
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave, New York, NY

Aviva Richman studied at the Pardes Kollel in Jerusalem and at the Drisha Scholars Circle in New York City. She currently teaches Talmud at Mechon Hadar is pursuing a PhD in Talmud at NYU as a Wexner fellow, focusing on gender and sexuality in the Talmud.

National Retreat- FALLS VILLAGE, CT
2016-01-15 14:00 - 2016-01-17 13:00 | Isabella Freedman Retreat Center, 116 Johnson Road, Falls Village, CT, 06031
A Retreat for Orthodox Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Jews
Community: Past, present, and future

Join us for one of the largest gatherings of LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews who come together to celebrate Shabbat and our unique identities.

LOCATION:
Isabella Freedman Retreat Center
116 Johnson Road, Falls Village, CT 06031

IS THIS FOR YOU?

During our annual weekend, we gather in this ever-growing community of formerly Orthodox/currently Orthodox/traditional/Ortho-curious folks and anyone who wants to experience a traditional Shabbat with other LGBTQ Jews. During Shabbat we get to know each other, learn, sing, and shmooze, and Saturday night we share our talents and have lots of fun! On Sunday we offer exciting out-of-the-box learning opportunities.
WANT TO GIVE A SESSION?
Each presenter gets a discount, so apply now!
CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM

If you have a topic or session you would like to give, please fill out this short form. We will be in touch to let you know if your topic has been accepted. Not all topics must relate to our theme. Share with us what you know and your areas of expertise. For each session you apply for, you will receive a $25 rebate within two weeks of the conference for up to two sessions.
CHILDCARE:
We provide childcare at various times throughout the weekend, especially when there is programming for adults. This year we welcome back Tracy Patton, from Once Upon Some Messy Fun, to create fun and excitement for our kids.

Registration is open!
All prices include full room and board. There are many options for room choices. After Dec. 1 prices go up.

Early Bird Deadline: Dec. 1

FINANCIAL AID
CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE FINANCIAL AID FORM

Financial Aid: We are committed to making our weekends as inclusive and accessible as possible. We provide a limited amount of financial aid available for those who, for financial reasons, cannot otherwise attend.
The priority deadline for financial aid is December 1st, 2015. After that date, applications for remaining scholarships will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Timeline for applying for financial aid:

Send in financial aid form below by December 1st. Cut and paste it into a Word document and send it to: info@eshelonline.org
You will hear back from us within two weeks of applying with instructions and a registration code.
You will have three days to register. After that time we will pass on the aid to someone else.

Be an Eshel Angel! Contribute to the Barry Youngerman, Z”L Scholarship Fund
Find out more about Barry Youngerman, Z”L here, who cared so much about our community and spent a lifetime helping to make it grow.

If you are able to donate funds to enable people to come to the retreat, please donate here. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will go to those who cannot afford to attend. Please indicate in the memo that you are contributing to scholarships.

Halachik Information
All food will be strictly kosher, the retreat will be shomer shabbos, and we will have traditional davening/prayer. We will offer a variety of learning options, from traditional text study to experiential workshops covering a wide variety of subjects.
Getting there
Transportation to and from the retreat is at your own expense. Check out the Ride Board to find or offer a carpool to the retreat. Here are some options below.
By Metro-north train:
Take the Metro North train to Wassaic. The trip is approximately 2 hours from Grand Central. Call 1-800-METRO-INFO or visit https://www.mta.info/ for an updated schedule. Click here for a link to fares.
Getting from train to retreat site:
Upon registering, you can sign up for the Isabella Freedman shuttle that will bring you to and from the train station in Wassaic. The drive from Wassaic to Isabella Freedman is about 30 minutes.
SHUTTLE FROM WASSAIC TO ISABELLA FREEDMAN:
This shuttle will only pick you up if you are on the train that leaves Grand Central Station on Jan. 15th at 11:47 a.m. and arriving at 2:03 p.m. into Wassaic.
SHUTTLE FROM ISABELLA FREEDMAN TO WASSAIC:
This shuttle will only bring you from the retreat site at the end of the retreat on Jan. 17th to the 2:27 train in Wassaic arriving into Grand Central Station at 4:46.
Shuttle One way=$25
Shuttle Round trip= $50
We must receive your payment for the shuttle by Dec. 30, 2015. The shuttle payment is non-refundable. If you are signing up for the shuttle after you have registered, click here to make a payment. Indicate in the memo line that the payment is for the shuttle.
Third-party taxi service is available from the Wassaic train station to Isabella Freedman.You must call in advance for a reservation. Lakeville Taxi: (860) 435 8000.
By plane:
Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT is located 1¼ hours from the retreat center. We can recommend third-party taxi and limousine services from the airport to Isabella Freedman.
By bus:
PETER PAN / BONANZA BUS LINES offers daily bus service to Canaan, CT from New York City and points throughout New England. Call (888) 751-8800 for a schedule. This is a 3-hour trip from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Third-party taxi service is available from the Canaan bus station to Isabella Freedman. You must call in advance for a reservation. Lakeville Taxi: (860) 435 8000.
For more directions and transportation information, please visit the Isabella Freedman website.
About the retreat center:
FACILITIES:
The terrain at Isabella Freedman includes a mix of gravel and paved roads, gentle inclines and grassy areas. When we are there, it is usually cold and snowy, and incredibly beautiful.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
All beds are twins, unless otherwise noted. Each room has a bureau or closet, chair, lamp, alarm clock, towels and soap. A small refrigerator can be rented for a $ 25 fee. All cottages are fully winterized. None of the units have doors that may be locked from the outside. Valuables may be stored in the office safe. Rooms do not have telephones or television sets. Each cottage has one phone in a common hallway or porch space.
During cooler months, rooms are heated to a comfortable 68°. Where thermostats are accessible to participants, we ask that you follow instructions on accompanying signage to ensure that you and your neighbors are comfortable and to conserve energy. Where thermostats are not accessible, please ask a site coordinator for assistance.
Cots and cribs may be added to certain rooms but not to others so please let us know well in advance and we will be glad to help you with these requests. Please notify us if you have a physical challenge that requires you to be close to the main building or in a wheelchair accessible room.
MEALS:
Isabella Freedman is committed to providing you with Glatt kosher, wholesome food that is sustainably grown and locally produced when possible, while also providing a distinctly Jewish culinary experience. They make every effort to serve the produce that is grown on their own six-acre organic farm. All meals are served buffet style and are strictly kosher. For this reason, no food from the outside may be brought into the Main Building. Any questions about this may be directed to the Mashgichim (Kosher Kitchen Supervisors). We will make every effort to accommodate special food needs as long as they are communicated to us at least two weeks prior to your arrival.
There is a Mashgiach/Masgichah on site at all times; Isabella Freedman is under the supervision of, and are certified by, the Hartford Kashrut Commission. Please direct all Kashrut questions to: Rabbi Adler of the Hartford Kashrut Commission at (860) 236-1241.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE:
All retreat participants must check in upon arrival. Check-in typically begins at 2:00 pm.
All members of the group must check out of their rooms by 9:00 am on the scheduled day of departure. If you have not checked out of your room by 9:00 am, an additional $25 per person late fee will be charged. Departure from the retreat site is usually no later than 2.00 p.m.
PHONES & INTERNET:
Since we are located in a remote wooded area many cell phones will have poor or spotty reception. There are phones available for use in the main building and you may buy a calling card in the Bookstore to make long-distance calls. Free wireless internet is available in the Main Building and there are two public-access computers located in the Lounge.
PACKING:
The following is a suggested list of what to bring with you:

Comfortable shoes for walking and hiking
Seasonally appropriate clothing; it is often snowy when we are there
Toys for children
Raincoat or umbrella
Toiletries: toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo
Flashlight

Confidentiality Policy
Some participants may not be out as LGBT in their daily lives, or may have other important reasons for keeping their attendance at the event confidential. You have affirmed that you WILL NOT POST OR DISTRIBUTE PHOTOGRAPHS or audio/video recordings of other attendees publicly unless you have the EXPLICIT permission of every attendee represented therein. This includes distribution or posting online on flickr, Facebook, MySpace, and similar sites, as well as anywhere else in which photographs and other representations are publicly available.
INFORMATION: Please do not share information you have heard about individuals at the retreat with anyone else. For many people who attend, strict confidentiality is crucial.
Refund Policy
Participants who cancel their registration after Dec. 30th, 2015 will not be eligible for a refund nor will they be eligible for a credit towards a future Eshel event. Cancellations before Dec. 30th, 2015 are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.
The fee for the shuttle to and from the retreat center is non-refundable.
Questions?
Please email us at info@eshelonline.org. Please help us spread the word about the retreat!

Trans Meet-Up!
2015-12-15 13:00 - 14:30
TRANS MEET-UP
with Abby Stein
Dec. 15th
RSVP TO INFO@ESHELONLINE.ORG
AND RECEIVE THE ADDRESS

BeisCamp! Keeping the Law Just: The Living Tensions of Tzedek and Mishpat- NY
2015-12-09 14:30 - 16:00 | Luria School, 238 St Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY
BeisCamp, Eshel’s traveling Orthodox LGBTQ+ Beit Midrash, hosts religious educators, scholars and rabbis to engage in the challenges of contemporary life and tradition.

Keeping the Law Just: The Living Tensions of
Tzedek and Mishpat
Tzedek and Misphat appear hundreds of times in the Tanach. They define God’s will and convey the very purpose of Abraham’s election by God. As distinct terms they mark an integration of law and compassion that is a key element of Eshel’s mission. In different ways, each lecture in this series will address the rich tensions between rules and reasons, between just process and fair outcomes and between social order and lovingkindness.

November 18, 7:30-9 pm
STREAM IT LIVE!
Jumping into Justice: Between the Known and Unknown
Avi Orlow
The Carlebach Shul, 305 W 79th St, New York, NY

December 9, 7:30-9 pm
New Frontiers: Halakha Encounters Homosexuality

Ysoscher Katz
Luria School, 238 St Marks Av, Brooklyn, NY

January 27, 7:30-9 pm
Body and Justice: Where Limitation and Perfection Meet
Aviva Richman
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave, New York, NY

February 25, 7:30-9 pm
Justice Before There Was Law: Tzedek and Mishpat in the Book of Genesis
Shuli Taubes
JCC Manhattan, 76th and Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY

Teacher Bios
Rabbi Avi Orlow serves as the Director of Jewish Education at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. He has held numerous positions as a camp educator and a Hillel Rabbi and spent an unforgettable stint running youth programming in Minsk, Belarus. Avi has a BA in religious studies from Columbia University and was ordained in the charter class of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the open Orthodox rabbinical school. Avi lives in White Plains with his wife, Cantor Adina Frydman, and their children, Yadid, Yishama, Emunah, and Libi. He blogs religiously at ‪saidtomyself.com

Shuli Taubes serves as a faculty member at SAR High School in Riverdale, New York, where she teaches Tanakh, Jewish Identity, and chairs the Jewish Philosophy department. She received her Masters in Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and her BA in history from Barnard College. She has also developed a curriculum for educating Modern Orthodox high school students in comparative religion and is a Community Scholar at the Young Israel of North Riverdale where she gives shiurim and serves in a pastoral role.

Rabbi Ysoscher Katz is the the Chair of the Department of Talmud at Yeshiva Chovevei Torah and the Director of the Lindenbaum Cneter for Halakhic Studies. Rabbi Katz received ordination in 1986 from Rabbi Yechezkel Roth, dayan of UTA Satmer. He 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.

Aviva Richman studied at the Pardes Kollel in Jerusalem and at the Drisha Scholars Circle in New York City. She currently teaches Talmud at Mechon Hadar is pursuing a PhD in Talmud at NYU as a Wexner fellow, focusing on gender and sexuality in the Talmud.

Merchav Batuach: Barnard/Columbia Hillel
2015-12-06 04:30 - 07:30
Do you want to learn how to be an ally to an LGBTQ+ person in
Orthodox community?
Are you a student at Barnard/Columbia?
Then sign up for the Merchav Batuach Training!
Merchav Batuach will conduct a workshop at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel training those who want to be LGBTQ+ allies in the Orthodox community. This event is sponsored by Yavneh At Columbia, the Orthodox student group on campus and Jewish Women on Campus (JWOC)

) Bagel brunch will be provided.
To RSVP, fill out this Google Form: https://goo.gl/forms/jAxWakligJ
Date: December 6th, 2015
Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Place: The Kraft Center: 606 W 115th, Room 6A
For more info Email us at merchavbatuach@eshelonline.org

Global Day of Jewish Learning
2015-11-15 09:45 - 17:30 | Online, Boston & 2 Locations in NYC
Here are the events Co-sponsored by Eshel for the Global Day of Jewish Learning:
BOSTON:
Sponsored together by Eshel and Minyan Kol Rina
STREAM IT LIVE!
Judaism and Homosexuality: Orthodoxy Faces the Challenge of the Moment
Eshel Director, Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Congregation Kehillath Israel
4pm – 5:30pm
EshelGDJL-Poster2015

TWO LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK:
Eshel is a co-sponsor of the Global Day along with Mechon Hadar, Schechter Manhattan, and Beit Rabban:
Global Day of Jewish Learning
Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Schechter Manhattan, 805 Columbus Avenue
9:45 am-3:30 pm
Eshel session at 2:30, entitled: Ya’akov: True Liar
Children’s programming will be available from 11 am- 2:20 pm
Join with over 400 communities in 48 countries and 6 continents for a day of Torah study.
Thank you to our wonderful teachers and partner organizations for making this happen!
Please click here for more information.

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood
(No Eshel session at this event)
54 Nagle Avenue
Global Day Flyer WAHI

An Evening with Rabbi Rapoport
2015-11-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Netivot, Boston, MA, United States
Netivot is honored to be teaming up with Eshel to host an evening with Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, esteemed scholar, educator, and lecturer.
Rabbi Rapoport is well-known for writing on Orthodoxy and homosexuality in his book, Judaism and Homosexuality: An Authentic Orthodox View.
He will be speaking on about LGBT issues in the context of his career, book, and personal experiences at Wednesday, November 11th, 7-9 p.m. Following the speech, we hope to leave ample time for some respectful, engaging dialogue. The event will be held in Brookline, and the exact address will be sent to you before the event. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to netivotboston.com/events before November 8th.

For more details download the flyer

CHOLENT
2015-11-05 16:00 - 18:00 | 553 4th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 553 4th Avenue, Park Slope, NY, United States
Shlomo Ashkinazy, Eshel Board member will be speaking at Cholent!
Being LGBT in the Frum Community and Being Frum in the LGBT Community: How It has been changing over the past 30 Years?

“CHOLENT”
Thursday, November 5th
9 pm

553 4th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn

Eshel Goes to PFLAG
2015-10-16 04:00 - 2015-10-18 13:00 | Unnamed Venue, Nashville, TN
Eshel Speaker Reuven Grant to speak at upcoming PFLAG Conference in Nashville, TN
Reuven Grant, a member of the Eshel speakers bureau, will be speaking on a panel entitled:

Intersections: Faith, Equality and the Intersection of Faith and Equality

More on the conference schedule can be found at here.

Sha'Cago! Aug. 28-30th in Chicago
2015-08-28 - 2015-08-31 | Private Location, NY
Spend a Shabbat with other Eshelites in Chicago!

Get to know other LGBTQ folks in a traditional Shabbat setting

Here are the details:
Dates: August 28-30th
Time: From Friday evening until Sunday morning
Place: The West Rogers Park home of Goldie Goldbloom

What? Join Eshel leaders Goldie Goldbloom, Aviva Buck-Yael and Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael for an intimate Shabbat

Registration: Cost – $65 / per person (not including Motzei Shabbat activities)
$36 for students and those requesting financial aid

Schedule: (exact times will be sent upon registration and closer to the weekend)
Kabalat Shabbat*
Shabbat Dinner – singing and Dvar Torah
Shabbat Morning – Breakfast –
Shacharit*
Shabbat Lunch – followed by Dvar Torah and learning
Shabbat Afternoon – Games and relaxation / snack food
Seudah Shlishit- very light meal with singing
Mincha and Maariv*
Motzei Shabbat – The group will decide on an activity
Sunday Breakfast – Coffee and Cereal and goodbyes!
* For all davening there will be a choice of shuls to attend in the area
Where will I stay?
If you do not have a place to stay, there is limited housing at Goldie’s. Guests will be housed on a first come-first served basis. Please indicate you need a place to stay on the registration form.
How do I register?
Right here!
Questions?
Please be in touch at info@eshelonline.org

Memorial for Shira Banki, Z"L, August 6th in NYC
2015-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th Street, New York, NY, United States
Thursday, August 6th
6:30–8pm
The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th Street, NYC

CBST, JQY and Eshel invite you to join us in a Memorial and Solidarity Aseifa/Gathering in response to the senseless hatred in Israel last week. We gather one week after the Jerusalem Pride Parade, in which six people were stabbed and one of them, teenager Shira Banki, was murdered at the hands of a Jewish religious extremist. The Pride march was organized by the Jerusalem Open House, and we send them much needed love, prayers, tzedakah and support. We gather in grief, in outrage, and in hope, raising our Jewish and LGBTQS voices together against violence, racism and homophobia in Israel. Together we will create the peace we want to see in the world.

Join the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1595216354063585/

Greater Philadelphia Area Parent Group – November 22, 2014
2014-11-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Private Location, NY
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.
This group will meet motzei shabbat in a private home at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday November 22.
We will start with Havdallah together. Refreshments. Good conversation.
If you are interested in participating, please contact us to for a brief intake and to receive the address: maia@eshelonline.org
Confidentiality: Everyone is asked to keep what they hear in the group completely confidential. Participants should feel free to use a pseudonym.

DC/Baltimore Parent Support Group – November 16, 2014
2014-11-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Private Location, NY
DC/Baltimore Parent Support Group
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.
This group will meet in a private home at 10:30 AM EST on Sunday November 16. If you are interested in participating, please contact us to for a brief intake and to receive the address: maia@eshelonline.org
Confidentiality: Everyone is asked to keep what they hear in the group completely confidential. Participants should feel free to use a pseudonym.

ShaHeights - November 14-15, 2014
2014-11-14 - 2014-11-15 | Congregation Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol, 610 W 175th St, New York, NY, 10033, United States
Join us for an Eshel Shabbat gathering in Washington Heights
November 14-15th, 2014
Sold out!

What?
A Shabbat together in Washington Heights doing what we do best:
Eating. Talking. Singing. Laughing. With some learning and praying thrown in.
Where?
For parts of the weekend we will be joining “The Beis” starting with Friday night services at 4:30 pm Congregation Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol 610 W 175th St New York, New York 10033
For other parts of the weekend..stay tuned.

After services, Friday night we will have dinner together.

Saturday lunch you will be matched with an Eshel community member who will host a pot-luck lunch and will let you know what to bring.

Don’t live in the Heights but want to attend?
If we can find you a place to stay, we will. This could be you!

Questions or get in touch to get involved: info@eshelonline.org
