Jul 2, 2026 | Eshel in the News
[caption id="attachment_166196" align="aligncenter" width="2121"] motimeiri/iStock via Getty Images Plus[/caption] RNS) — “The kid is a feigele!” I can still hear my relative saying the derogatory phrase, used to refer to a gay man or boy, aiming his ugly remark at a young man at a bar mitzvah celebration. In Yiddish, “feigele” literally means a [more]
Apr 28, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud
This Friday will be the 14th of Iyyar, exactly one month after Pesach. We celebrate Pesach Sheni, an ancient reminder of the value of inclusion. It originates the first year after the Exodus from Egypt. Bnai Yisrael are instructed to repeat the lamb offering they made the night that they went free: “you shall offer [more]
Nov 10, 2025 | Eshel in the News
In this powerful and deeply personal 93rd episode of No Hair, All Heart, Mookie Spitz sits down with Ely Winkler, the Director of Advancement at Eshel, an organization devoted to LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Orthodox Jewish community. Their heartfelt conversation cuts through theology, tradition, and identity with candid honesty and unexpected joy. Ely shares his remarkable [more]
May 19, 2025 | Eshel Out Loud
For the past ten years, Eshel has been searching for shuls for LGBTQ+ Jews - individuals and families - who want to be part of a frum community. Since the founding of the Welcoming Shuls Project, I have spoken with almost 300 shuls and Rabbis. We work with large and small congregations, independent minyanim, and [more]
Mar 20, 2025 | Eshel in the News
by Yocheved Lindenbaum The aftermath of Thanksgiving dinner 2012 will remain etched in my memory forever. Our son, Asher, asked my husband and I to join him at the resolute dining room table under the crystal chandelier, the designated spot for all “important conversations.” We were expecting this sit-down, anticipating the exciting news that Asher [more]
