shuls

A Student too Eager

A Student too Eager

Eshel has been working with shuls and schools for more than a decade now on policy issues.  In 2018 we encouraged schools to “take the pledge,” a document drafted by an Orthodox high school student and his principal.  It promised that when students come out of the closet in high school, the school would not [more]
10 Years of Welcoming Shuls

10 Years of Welcoming Shuls

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]
Creating Communities Where There Are None

Creating Communities Where There Are None

Not everyone lives in New York, LA, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, or other cities with large Jewish communities and numerous organizations supporting Jewish life. For LGBTQ+ Jews and those who love them, living in places with smaller Jewish communities can be extra challenging if the local Jewish community is not as welcoming or as religious as [more]
Every Neshama has a Place at Shul

Every Neshama has a Place at Shul

For several years, Eshel’s Welcoming Shuls Project has guided shuls and Rabbis in LGBTQ+ inclusion and helped LGBTQ+ people find the right shul for them and navigate shul life. Despite the increase in anti-trans media coverage and legislation, there is more interest than ever from our Welcoming Shuls to find ways to fully embrace transgender [more]
Your Existence is Activism

Your Existence is Activism

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://www.eshelonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Blog-Post-Images-6.jpg" alt="Your Existence is Activism: Making Change by Showing Up" title_text="Your Existence is Activism: Making Change by Showing Up" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]I was raised in an Orthodox home, and transitioned in 1990. In 1986 I stopped all Jewish observance. I [more]