Eshel Online

October Oneg Shabbat Dinner featuring Or Chayim Minyan
2025-10-24 17:50 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join Eshel and Or Chayim for October Oneg Shabbat Dinner, our upcoming Shabbat Dinner on the Upper West Side! Enjoy a warm Shabbat and a festive evening with LGBTQ+ community. Davening is free and open to everyone, and dinner is 21+.
📆 Friday, October 24
⏰ 5:50 pm Davening with Or Chayim | 6:45 pm Kiddush | 7:30 pm Community Dinner
📍 Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan 334 Amsterdam Ave at, W 76th St
Registration closes Friday morning, 12:01am. After this time, late registrations will be charged $50/ticket.

NYC LGBTQ+ Trivia Night
2025-11-03 18:30 - 20:30
Bring in Trivia Tuesday a day early with a Monday trivia night at the Manhattan JCC, featuring pizza, drinks, snacks, and prizes! Come prepared to answer questions ranging from categories about Judaism and Queerness all the way to history and pop culture.
Each member of the winning team will receive a free ticket to Eshel’s Chanukah party in December. Arrive with a team or join a team of new friends at the door! (Max team size of 4 individuals.)
This event is 21+ and free.
When: Monday, November 3, 6:30-8:30pWhere: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Floor 1.5 Classroom
6:30: Pizza and Snacks7-8:30: Trivia

Straight Spouses of LGBTQ+ Partners Support Group
2025-11-03 19:00 - 20:00
Straight Spouses of LGBTQ+ Partners Support Group
Has your spouse come out to you? This support group is for anyone in the Orthodox community whose husband or wife has come out as gay, lesbian, or transgender, whether you are married, separated, or divorced. This group is a confidential and supportive space to process difficult emotions, connect with others in similar situations, navigate co-parenting under these new circumstances, and learn how to move forward with resilience.
When: First Monday each month, 7:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm CT / 4:00 pm PT
Where: Zoom – register to receive the link

Israel Parent Meetup
2025-11-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00
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.

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Washington Heights LGBTQ+ Community Dinner
2025-11-14 18:15 - 21:30
Come together on November 14th for an LGBTQ+ Community Shabbat Dinner, sponsored by Eshel, and in partnership with The Beis and Fort Tryon Jewish Center! We are so excited to create a warm and welcoming space for what is hopefully the first of many gatherings in Washington Heights. Join your local LGBTQ+ community and enjoy a delicious meal followed by a parsha shiur from Lexi Kohanski.
This event is for LGBTQ+ individuals ages 21+.

When: Friday, November 14
6:15 pm Community Dinner
8:00 pm Shiur
Where: The Beis – 587 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10033
Cost: $30 ($15 for students)
Event capacity is limited to 50 attendees. Sign up today!

Lexi Kohanski is a trans Jewish writer and educator who focuses on empowering those who have not felt at home in Judaism. She is a leader in the realm of trans Torah, creating Torah study spaces that are intergenerational, identity-spanning, and full of joy. Her work has appeared in Gashmius Magazine, Approaching, and the Trans Halakha Project, and she regularly publishes through the T4Torah Patreon. Lexi’s cornerstone halakhic essay, Be Whole: A Halakhic Approach to Gender and Transition, lays out a pathbreaking halakhic framework for relating to Jewish gender transition as a sacred undertaking. Lexi gives regular sermons on spiritual resilience and survival through her podcast, Torah for Trans Lives. She is also the author of Worlds To Come, a first-of-its-kind tabletop roleplaying game for learning Hebrew. Before finding her calling, Lexi was an actor, ESL teacher, and farmer. Lexi’s home as an educator is at the Torah Studio, where she serves as the organization’s Director of Online Learning.

Self Portrait Workshop with Artist Tobi Kahn
2025-12-01 18:30 - 20:30
Join Eshel for a night of self-reflection and artistic expression, with a self-portrait workshop led by respected artist Tobi Kahn. For those of us balancing LGBTQ+ and Jewish identity, the endeavor of self-perception can be equal parts daunting, confusing, and exciting. So too, self-presentation is often a process that requires deep introspection and experimentation. Through presence, we can approach our identities in new and creative ways. At this event, we will explore literal and abstract expressions of the self in what is sure to be a meaningful and fun night. Light refreshments will be served after the workshop.
Please note: This event is 21+ and for LGBTQ+ members of our community.
About the ArtistTobi Kahn is a painter and sculptor whose art has been shown in over 70 solo museumexhibitions. He is currently working a solo survey exhibition that will open in the Fall of 2026 atthe Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida. Works by Kahn are in major museum collections,including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC; the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, TX;The Phillips Collection, DC; Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; Minneapolis Institute ofArt, MN; Yale University Art Gallery, CT; and The Jewish Museum, NYC. His travelingmuseum exhibitions include Tobi Kahn: Metamorphoses; Avoda: Objects of the Spirit;Microcosmos; Tobi Kahn: Sky & Water; and Tobi Kahn: Sacred Spaces for the 21st Century.Kahn’s commissioned installations include “Shalev,” an outdoor sculpture, New Harmony, IN;“Emet,” a meditative space for the HealthCare Chaplaincy, NYC; two Holocaust memorialgardens, La Jolla, CA, and Tenafly, NJ; the sanctuary ark doors, murals, and ceremonial objectsfor Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Milwaukee, WI; “M’AHL,” a floor installation in theexhibition Rendering the Unthinkable, 9/11 Memorial Museum, NYC; a meditative space forAuburn Theological Seminary, NYC; and an installation of paintings and outdoor sculpture forthe campuses of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.Kahn also communicates his vision through his passion for teaching. For over 40 years, he hastaught fine arts at the School of Visual Arts, NYC. Kahn lectures extensively at universities andpublic forums internationally on the importance of visual language and on art as healing.

Winter Wellness: Self Care with JQY and Eshel
2025-12-09 18:30
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Laugh Out Proud
2025-12-10 18:00
Join our Atlanta community for a fun, laughter-filled night out! We’ll kick things off with drinks at The Establishment at 6:00 PM — a perfect chance to meet new friends and connect with fellow LGBTQ+ Jews. Then we’ll head over together to enjoy the always-hilarious Modi live on stage.
Grab your show ticket on your own, and RSVP below to let us know you’re coming for the pre-show hang. Come for the community, stay for the comedy. We can’t wait to see you there!
Drinks 6:00PM (RSVP For bar address)
Show 7:30PM (Center Stage Theater)
Say hello to Modi after the show!

Building a Jewish Queer Family: Planning and Parenthood - Community Dinner in Brooklyn
2025-12-12 16:15 - 21:00
REGISTRATION FOR THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED.
Eshel, Atara Minyan, and PHS invite you to join us for davening and dinner at Luria Academy, followed by a conversation about LGBTQ+ family, from planning to parenthood, moderated by our Director of Marketing and Communications and current Maharat student, Sara Singer.
Navigating having children, from conception to rearing, is an exciting and often challenging process for LGBTQ+ people. Learn from community members about how they have navigated this process, not just as queer people, but also as Jews. We will address questions surrounding how bringing children into the world also impacts LGBTQ+ Jews in their choice of community and how reproductive decisions are informed by Halacha.
Where: Luria Academy (address sent with registration confirmation)
4:15pm – Davening – PHS Minyan in the Beit Midrash, Egal minyan in the gym
5:30pm – Light Kiddush/L’chaims
6:15pm – Dinner
7:15-9pm – Panel, led by Sara Singer
This program is open to all community members. No charge for children under the age of 3.
Regular Price: $36
Student Price: $18
Children (under 18): $15
PLEASE NOTE: For internal tracking and discretion purposes, we require separate registrations for each guest. Thank you for your understanding.

Ignite the Night: LGBTQ+ Community Chanukah Party
2025-12-15 19:00 - 22:00
Join Eshel and our partners for the Annual LGBTQ+ Chanukah Party!
Celebrate Night Two of the Festival of Lights with the LGBTQ+ Jewish community of NYC!
Enjoy a dairy dinner–complete with latkes, sufganiyot, and chocolate gelt, a wine bar, and DJ! We will eat, drink, dance, and have a special candle lighting ceremony. Let’s ignite the night together!
Date: December 15, 2025
Time: 7-10pm (volunteer shifts begin at 5:30pm)
The JCC facilities are elevator and ramp accessible. If you have additional access needs or questions, email info@eshelonline.org.
Regular Admission Price – $36 ($40 at-the-door)
Early Bird Ticket (ends Dec. 1) – $25
Student Ticket – $18
A limited number of comped tickets will be offered to volunteers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and expectations, please contact info@eshelonline.org.
Sold out!

Baltimore Chanukah Party
2025-12-21 10:00 - 12:00
Join Baltimore/DC Eshel for a Chanukah celebration on Sunday, December 21 from 10AM to noon. The location will be shared upon signing up. Please volunteer to set up, clean up, give a Dvar Torah or run some games. We look forward to celebrating Chanukah among Eshel community members, and hope to see you there!

NYC LGBTQ+ Babka Bake
2026-01-05 19:00 - 21:00
Is your New Years Resolution to learn something new in the kitchen? You’re in luck! Join us at our Monthly NYC Meet-Up at the Marlene JCC Manhattan for a babka baking class with our Program Director, Mendel Weintraub! Learn how to make this classic Jewish dessert from the Knead to Nosh! We will assemble our ingredients together and enjoy babka fresh out of the oven!
Snacks and drinks will be served. This event is 21+ and free.
When: Monday, January 5, 7:00-9:00pWhere: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, L3 Kitchen
This program has reached capacity and registration is now closed. We look forward to seeing you at future events.

A conversation with Rabbi Greenberg: Six Queer Heroes and Scoundrels
2026-01-07 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for a light dairy dinner and a conversation with Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Co-founder and Director of Education at Eshel. This is an opportunity to schmooze with him, meet other LGBTQ+ Jews and Orthodox parents of LGBTQ+ children in South Florida.

Six Queer Heroes and Scoundrels
Same-sex love, while surely hidden and formally decried, finds surprising expression in Jewish poetry, prose and case law. The material is full of pathos, gender bending, humor and intrigue and reveals a sliver of life, despite the well known prohibition, that has been all but erased from historical memory. We will meet six queer characters of Jewish history, some famous others infamous whose stories will help us to make sense of the issue for our own moment.
📆 When: Wednesday, January 7, 6:00-8:30 pm📍 Where: Miami, FL (exact address provided upon RSVP)

Living a Religious Life as a Transgender Jew: A Halachic Conversation
2026-01-22 20:00
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8PM, we will present “Living a Religious Life as a Transgender Jew: A Halachic Conversation.” During this program, Yaakov, a transgender college student, will discuss with Rabbi Dov Linzer, President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, many of the halachic issues that arise for a transgender individual seeking to live a religious life as an Orthodox Jew. We will reserve time at the end of the program to answer questions from the audience. Please join us by registering for this FREE program below.
This program follows the program that we ran earlier this year, “LGBTQ Children in Orthodox Day Schools.” In that program, two students (one of which was Yaakov) and three parents shared their experiences dealing with Orthodox day schools, particularly administrators and teachers. If you missed that program, you can watch the recording at www.poratonline.org/events.
Where: Zoom
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8PM EST
Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. In this dual capacity, Rabbi Linzer has set the vision for YCT as a Center of Torah and Torah Leadership, and, with an amazing team of colleagues and partners, oversees its growth, reach, and further development, including establishing a premier rabbinic leadership program and pastoral training center in Israel. An acclaimed Torah and halakha scholar, Rabbi Linzer has been a leading rabbinic voice in the Modern Orthodox community for over 30 years. He has published hundreds of Torah articles and teshuvot (responsa), and has hosted a number of highly popular Torah podcasts. In his capacity as a mentor, Rabbi Linzer provides religious guidance to the yeshiva’s students and the over 150 YCT-ordained rabbis who are serving in the US and 60 rabbis and rabbaniyot serving in Israel and answers thousands of halakhic questions from YCT rabbis and broader community each year.
Yaakov is an Orthodox Jew and transgender man currently studying at Brandeis University. He has faced a number of challenges since coming out and through his experience has gained a unique perspective on living a Jewish life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Israel Parent Shabbaton
2026-01-29 - 2026-01-31
Enjoy an inspiring and restorative Shabbat with Eshel Israel!
Spend Shabbat Shira with other religious parents of LGBTQ+ children. We’ll enjoy a relaxing Shabbat together, connect, give each other chizzuk, and dive deep into the challenges and joys of parenting LGBTQ+ children.
This Shabbat is an opportunity for us to slow down, take a break from our busy lives, and connect with a community of parents who share our experiences.
Date: January 29 – 31Location: Kibbutz Lavi
Weekend Highlights Include:

Spirited Shabbat davening
Thought-provoking sessions led by fellow parents and experts
Beautiful and relaxing natural environment
Delicious meals
Warm, welcoming community of parents

Register below! Payment is required via Paypal after submitting the form. Registration is not considered complete until payment is received.
Housing Options:

Eden: Modern rooms, most of which overlook the magical Galilean landscape.Double Occupancy: 2500 NIS per coupleSingle Occupancy: 2100 NIS per person

Hod: Welcoming and warm design, with a balcony overlooking the spectacular view of the Galilee and Golan mountains.Double occupancy: 3000 NIS per coupleSingle occupancy: 2400 NIS per person
Registration is now closed.

NYC | Tu B'shvat Karaoke Night
2026-02-02 19:00 - 21:00
Back by popular demand, Eshel is pleased to invite you to Karaoke Night at the Manhattan JCC! Even better, we will be able to sing in celebration of not just one, but two holidays: Tu B’Shvat and Groundhog Day!
Sushi and drinks to be served. Vegan options available!
This event is 21+ and free to attend.
When: Monday, February 2nd, 7:00-9:00p
Where: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

NYC 20s and 30s Pre-Purim Pregame w/ JQY
2026-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
Join Eshel and JQY for our first 20s & 30s program of 2026! Ring in Rosh Chodesh Adar with a wine and cheese Purim pre-game at the JCC with new and familiar faces. This will be a great opportunity to ideate about your Purim costume, if you haven’t yet come up with one yet!
This 20s & 30s event is 21+ and free to attend.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 7:00-9:00p
Where: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Registration for this program has closed.

February Farbrengen: LGBTQ+ Brooklyn Shabbat Oneg
2026-02-27 20:30 - 23:30
Escape the cold weather and join Eshel for our first Brooklyn LGBTQ+ Shabbat Oneg in Crown Heights. Enjoy post-dinner snacks, games, singing, and socializing. This event is 21+ and free to attend. This event will be hosted in a private home. Location to be sent the week of the event.
PLEASE NOTE: For internal tracking and discretion purposes, we require separate registrations for each guest. Thank you for your understanding.

LGBTQ+ Community Purim Chagiga
2026-03-02 18:30 - 22:30
Come be marbin b’simcha on Monday, March 2nd with Eshel and our partners for the annual LGBTQ+ Purim Chagiga! This year, we come together again to hear the classic tale of Esther’s ascendance and the heated rivalry between Haman and Mordechai. Arrive dressed to the nines for Megillah (traditional Orthodox and egalitarian readings), followed by break-fast, mishteh (drinks) and simcha dancing, with music from DJ Shua—back by popular demand!
Join just for Megillah reading (free for all ages!) or stay for the party. Party is 21+.
Featuring:🔊 DJ Shua spinning beats🍸 Open bar🍡 Delicious bites
General Admission – $36 ($40 at the door)🐦 Early Bird (ends Feb. 11) – $25 🐦Student Ticket – $18
Registration required for both megillah reading and party.
Thanks to our community partners: UJA-Federation, Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, Shalom Dykes, and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.
📅 Date: Monday, March 2⏰ Time: 6:30 pm Maariv📜 7:00 pm Megillah Readings (egalitarian and Orthodox), followed by light break-fast🎉 8:00 – 10:30 pm Party and dinner
A limited number of comped tickets will be offered to volunteers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and expectations, please contact info@eshelonline.org.
PLEASE NOTE: For internal tracking and discretion purposes, we require separate registrations for each guest. Thank you for your understanding.

South Florida | Post-Purim Meetup
2026-03-07 20:00 - 21:30
Connect with other LGBTQ+ Jews and family members at Eshel’s South Florida Post-Purim Meetup. Join us for a relaxed evening together at a local restaurant.
Date: Saturday, March 7thTime: 8:00 pmLocation: Grand Cafe, 2905 Stirling Rd, Hollywood, FL

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Baltimore Allies Training
2026-03-12 19:00
During this training, you will learn to identify ways to support LGBTQ+ people in your Orthodox community. Whether you are a shul member, day school parent, or lay leader, you can play a role in making LGBTQ+ individuals feel more welcome.
This training will cover information about the nature of the LGBTQ+ population and their needs, skills for allyship in a variety of situations and institutions, and opportunities to practice. Open to anyone who would like to be an ally in Orthodox settings including in synagogues, schools, camps, and at home.

Led by Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Sara Singer

When: Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 PM
Where: Baltimore, MD (Address provided upon RSVP)

2026 National LGBTQ+ Retreat
2026-03-13 - 2026-03-15
Learn More and Register: https://www.eshelonline.org/2026-lgbtq-retreat/

Upper West Side Community Shabbat Dinner feat. Rabbis Elie Friedman & Zvi Weiss
2026-03-20 18:55 - 22:00
THIS EVENT IS AT-CAPACITY AND REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
Eshel is thrilled to be partnering with Darkhei Noam Pride and Base UWS for this special community Shabbat, celebrating the vibrancy of the Upper West Side LGBTQ+ Jewish community. We invite you to join us for davening and dinner at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, followed by a very special shiur led by Eshel’s very own board member, Rabbi Elie Friedman (RIETS), and Rabbi Zvi Weiss (RIETS).
Where: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Auditorium
6:55pm – Davening – Orthodox Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv at the JCC, Partnership Minyan at Kehilat Hadar Shaare Zedek
8pm – Dinner
9-10pm – Torah from Rabbis Elie Friedman & Zvi Weiss
This program is open to all community members. No charge for children under the age of 3. Please note in the included field of the registration form if you will need childcare at this event.
Early Bird Price (ends March 6th): $25
Regular Price: $36
Student Price: $18
Children (under 18): $15
Eshel and our partners believe that financial hurdles should never be an obstacle to participating in our programs. If financial circumstances are cost-prohibitive for you, please reach out to info@eshelonline.org.
PLEASE NOTE: For internal tracking and discretion purposes, we require separate registrations for each guest. Thank you for your understanding.

NYC Crafting Freedom: DIY Haggadah Workshop feat. Rabbi Jamie Kuperman-Schwartz
2026-03-23 19:00 - 21:00
Get ready with Eshel for z’man cheiruteinu (the time of our freedom) with a homemade Haggadah crafting night! We will enjoy pizza and hear words of torah from Rabbi Jamie Kuperman-Schwartz, then clear away all of our chametz to decorate our own Haggadahs, which we can use at our Seders this Pesach! This event is 21+ and free to attend.
About the Teacher
Rabbi Jamie Kuperman-Schwartz was ordained by Maharat in 2025. She teaches seventh grade at Greenburgh Hebrew Center, and hosts Talmud classes for adults in her community. Rabbi Kuperman-Schwartz has shared Torah in a variety of settings, including Base Harlem, The Philly Women’s Beit Midrash, and the Eshel National Shabbaton. She lives in Washington Heights with her wife, Esther, loves murder mysteries, and makes a mean potato kugel.
When: Monday, March 23, 7:00-9:00pWhere: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Cambridge | LGBTQ+ Community Dinner
2026-03-27 18:45
Register

Boston Jewish Film Festival: Pink Lady
2026-03-29 19:00
In an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, Bati has a seemingly perfect life. She is happily married to Lazer and the young couple have three children. But their world starts to crumble when Lazer is blackmailed and Bati discovers his secret affair with his male study partner. Desperate to protect her family and keep the man she loves, she supports Lazer as he attempts to “cure” his homosexuality, whilst uncovering her true desires.
Followed by a conversation with Rabbi Steve Greenberg, Eshel, Co-Founder and Director of Education, and Idit Klein, VP for Public Engagement at New Israel Fund.
From Ophir Award Winning Director Nir Bergman (Here We Are, In Treatment)

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