Eshel makes the CASE for
LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodoxy
Community
Eshel builds community for its LGBTQ+ individuals and their families so that they can break isolation, grow and thrive.
NYC Programming
Eshel offers monthly programming at the Manhattan JCC as well as holiday, 20’s and 30’s and mental health programming for NYC LGBTQ+ Orthodox and Orthodox adjacent Jews.
Retreats
Every year Eshel hosts one weekend retreat (or Shabbaton) for LGBTQ+ individuals and one for parents of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Eshel’s LGBTQ+ Retreat
A transformative vehicle of support and change for Orthodox LGBTQ+ individuals. Every third Shabbat in January, longtime Eshel community members and first time attendees looking for a safe space to bring their full religious and queer selves gather together to celebrate Shabbat and each other.
Eshel’s Parent Retreat
A space where Orthodox parents of LGBTQ+ children can meet each other and share their feelings and concerns about their children, families, and communities without judgment and with access to rabbis, educators, and mental health professionals to address their questions.
Communal Events
Eshel hosts in-person meetups and events for the LGBTQ+ community and parents in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Israel, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Toronto and Washington, D.C. Events range from Shabbat meals and holiday gatherings to book clubs, game nights, film screenings, and social gatherings.
Advocacy
Eshel advocates for LGBTQ+ people within the larger Orthodox world so that they can be fully included in Orthodox communities.
Welcoming Shuls Project
Eshel works with synagogues, Hillels, and community institutions to advocate for more full inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Through this initiative, Eshel conducts outreach to Orthodox synagogues, maintains a list of more than 300 Welcoming Shuls, and connects LGBTQ+ individuals and family members to supportive shuls and Rabbis. Eshel also counsels Rabbis and community leaders navigating halachic, communal, political, and individual concerns surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion that arise in their communities.
Welcoming Schools Project
Eshel works with schools and other youth organizations to provide more opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to be full participants in their Jewish community and find meaningful educational, social, and spiritual opportunities. Through this initiative, Eshel conducts outreach to Orthodox day schools, develops resources for Orthodox educators and administrators, and provides school training and consultations to facilitate LGBTQ+ inclusive culture and policies within Orthodox day schools.
Orthodox Ally Training
Eshel offers community based trainings for all members of the Orthodox community who want to learn how they can support their LGBTQ+ community members and create more inclusive environments.
Campus Orthodox Allies Fellowship
This fellowship for Orthodox college students brings Orthodox-centered Ally Trainings to campuses and guides student leaders who will make their campus and other Jewish communities can be more LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Support
Eshel supports LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jewish individuals and their families through our warmline, support groups, mentoring, and community network.
CALL OUR WARM LINE
For non-emergency support, leave a message or send a text to our warmline 24/7. A member of our counseling team will respond within a few days.
Pikuach Nefesh, saving a life, is one of the greatest mitzvot.
If someone you know is in crisis, is exhibiting self-destructive behavior, or is having thoughts of suicide, don’t hesitate. Get help: call or text 988.
Warmline
Eshel’s warmline provides a first step for many to reach out as they come to terms with their or their child’s identity. After reaching out to us by phone or email, our counselors and mentors connect with them to provide emotional support and direct them to the appropriate services, both within Eshel and through external referrals.
Support Groups (online)
- Parents of LGBTQ+ children (weekly)
- Parents of trans and gender non-conforming children (monthly)
- LGBTQ+ Women (weekly)
- LGBTQ+ (Monthly)
- People of Trans Experience (Monthly)
Education
Eshel raises awareness and sensitivity among Rabbis, leaders, educators on how to meet the needs of their LGBTQ+ community members, and provides education for the entire Orthodox community on the unique needs and experiences of Orthodox LGBTQ+ Jews and their families.
Online Learning
Topics have included: Queer lifecycle events, conversion for queer Jews, navigating day schools and Orthodox schools, mental health and wellbeing, halacha, and various Torah topics.
Resource Library
Eshel develops, publishes, and maintains resources that represent and support the experiences and needs of our community members, including books, articles, sourcesheets, podcasts, videos, films, and outside organizations.
Film Screenings
Eshel has hosted and spoken at film screenings for films highlighting the LGBTQ+ religious experience, including Marry Me, However; The Holy Closet; Pink Lady; and more.