Jun 1, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud
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]
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]
May 6, 2024 | Eshel Out Loud
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]
Mar 4, 2024 | Eshel Out Loud
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]
Dec 21, 2023 | Eshel Out Loud
[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]