Aug 24, 2026 | Eshel in the News
The following is an edited excerpt from the conference session “How to Move Jewish Institutions from a ‘Welcoming Approach’ to a ‘Belonging’ Atmosphere.” How to Move Jewish Institutions from a “Welcoming” Approach to a “Belonging” Atmosphere By Stacey Aviva Clark, Rivka Herzfeld, Ely Winkler and Marianne Novak Panel: Stacey Aviva Clark is the Director of [more]
Aug 10, 2026 | Eshel Out Loud
In Pirkei Avot, we learn to take initiative for finding ourselves our own Rav to whom we may go for support and advice, and a friend with whom and from whom we can learn. “עשה לך רב וקנה לך חבר” - “Make for yourself a teacher, and acquire for yourself a friend” (Pikei Avot 1:6). [more]
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]
