At my first Eshel retreat in 2010, I remember feeling like the idea of queer Orthodox community, or a true observant future was unfathomable. I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that parents would support their children coming out. I assumed the shuls and schools I grew up in would never engage in conversations about LGBTQ+ tolerance, let alone inclusion or amend their policies. But after fifteen years of work, Eshel has made my dream a reality, not just for me, but for thousands of Jews, uplifting individuals, families, and Torah life in the process.
Across hundreds of retreats, programs, meetups, support groups, counseling sessions, Shabbatonim, holiday parties, zoom workshops, film screenings, book talks, and more, Eshel has developed a framework of practice that moves Orthodoxy forward. By building and connecting communities, advocating for one another, supporting each other, and educating our leaders and allies, we have made tremendous progress. We have shown that when Orthodox communities open their doors, LGBTQ+ people enrich their communities, through smachot, families, children, serving on shul boards, joining kiddush club, leading T’fillah and reading Torah.
With our past successes in mind, we are thrilled to have launched “Branching Out,” our roadmap to the next three years of organizational growth.
We engaged our board members, foundation partners, staff, and community members to map out five key ingredients to expand our impact:
- By connecting with allies in Orthodox hubs and on campuses, we will deepen understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience across generations.
- By expanding offerings in major Orthodox hubs and adding a new retreat, we can ensure that community and support are available to those who need them most.
- By curating and cultivating high-quality, readily available resources, people around the world will be able to access the latest LGBTQ+ and Jewish thought.
- By expanding the Welcoming Communities Project, we support Rabbis and Yeshivas in changing entire communities.
- By building our internal capacity, we can ensure our staff and operations are set up for success in executing this plan.
With these five priorities identified, Eshel is prepared to make more of an impact than ever before. While the work ahead is great, we are blessed with community members like you who make all that we do possible. From connecting with parents whose child just came out to them, matching an LGBTQ+ person with a shul that meets their religious needs, to bringing together hundreds of community members at gatherings and retreats, every dollar donated to Eshel will continue to ensure LGBTQ+ people never have to choose between their identities and their communities. Help us Branch Out today!
Ely Winkler
Director of Advancement