As observant Jews, we know what it means to navigate challenges and make difficult choices. Across generations, we have drawn on resilience, faith, and commitment to our families, communities, and values. We understand the language of compromise.
At Eshel, however, we believe that the most essential parts of ourselves should not be subject to compromise. No one should have to choose between their community and their identity, between spiritual belonging and personal authenticity, or between their own wellbeing and the people they love. Every person deserves the opportunity to live a full, integrated life.
That belief guides our work every day. Through community-building, advocacy, education, and support, Eshel helps LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews and their families discover that they do not have to live divided lives. They can remain deeply connected to their faith while embracing who they are.
One of my favorite examples of this was our annual Eshel Parent Retreat, centered on the theme “Yes, AND.” The parents who joined us were wrestling with the reality of saying, “Yes, I am frum, AND my child is LGBTQ+.” In many ways, this mindset is already familiar within Orthodox life. We often hold multiple truths at once: commitment to tradition alongside engagement with the broader world. The retreat invited parents to bring that same perspective to their families, creating space for complexity, love, and belonging.
The power of “Yes, AND” continues to inspire our work, which is why we have chosen it as the theme of our June campaign. We believe that embracing the fullness of human experience strengthens individuals, families, and Orthodox communities alike. A thriving community is not built by asking people to leave parts of themselves behind; it is built by making room for the whole person.
As we look to the future, we invite you to help make this vision a reality. Your support enables more individuals and families to experience belonging without exclusion and connection without compromise. Together, we can continue saying “Yes, AND”—building Orthodox communities where people can fully be who they are and fully belong.
Join us today! www.causematch.com/eshel2026
– Miryam Kabakov, Executive Director