Culturally Grounded Belonging

Offers ongoing support and community programming tailored to Jewish single mothers, including social and educational components that build resilience and connection.

Operates a food pantry and provides counseling services to support the material and emotional well-being of vulnerable Jewish women, including single mothers, divorcees, and widows.

Provides lodging through a Hachnosas Orchim residence to support out-of-town guests, fulfilling a traditional Jewish value of hospitality.

Hosts weekly Shabbos meals for up to 35 Orthodox Jewish women, including single mothers, agunas, and widows, as a core community support service that fosters connection through food, song, and learning.

Hosts community events, scholar-in-residence programs, and an annual Shabbaton to engage religious and community leaders and families. Includes 51 hosted events since inception and ongoing programming to foster inclusion within Orthodox contexts.

Conducts individual and joint counseling sessions for LGBTQ+ individuals and their family members, including intake sessions, support groups, and therapeutic interventions to address family dynamics and mutual respect. Since March 2022, conducted 376 intakes and 24 support groups.

Offers a dedicated platform for parents to connect, share experiences, and access resources related to having an LGBTQ+ family member within an Orthodox religious context.

Provides private rabbinic support and theological guidance to families navigating religious questions related to having an LGBTQ+ family member within an Orthodox Jewish context.

Leads advocacy campaigns urging Orthodox high schools to adopt LGBTQ+-inclusive policies, including a formal pledge to prevent expulsion or discipline based on gender identity or sexual orientation, enforce anti-bullying policies, prohibit conversion therapy, ensure full religious participation, and implement open admissions. Mobilizes stakeholders through the #EshelPledge campaign, including video appeals and petition drives.

Organizes events and programs that foster community and enable Jewish practice for LGBTQ+ members of the Orthodox community, including an annual parent retreat, monthly discussion groups, Jewish calligraphy workshops, and in-person gatherings in the New York and New Jersey area.

Provides direct support to LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jewish individuals and their families through a 24/7 warmline, confidential support groups (including for Orthodox gay men and frum queer women), peer mentoring, community networks, and online platforms such as email lists, blogs, and listservs. Also offers resources like curated books, films, and guides to halachic same-sex weddings.

Conducts trainings and consultations for Orthodox religious leaders, educators, and school staff to increase awareness and sensitivity around LGBTQ+ issues, including gender and sexual identity and mental health. Facilitates dialogue processes for synagogues and schools seeking to become more inclusive.

Conducts multi-year research projects assessing LGBTQ+ inclusion in North American and Israeli synagogues and schools, including interviews with congregations, rabbis, and school administrators to collect data on welcoming practices.

Provides direct consultation and resources to Jewish day schools to support LGBTQ+ student well-being, including crisis management, development of inclusive policies and well-being statements, creation of safe spaces, and facilitation of dialogues among faculty, parents, students, and school boards.

Provides education to care providers, families, educators, and communal leaders about the mental health and identity needs of LGBTQ Jewish youth to improve support systems and foster inclusion.

Supports LGBTQ Jewish teens and young adults (ages 18–20) during gap years in Israel through tailored guidance, educational activities, social meetups, a guide to LGBTQ-inclusive yeshivot, and the “AnyQueer in Israel” program that connects students with pre-vetted queer and ally Shabbat hosts. Also facilitates connections via app-based community groups and organized dinners.

Provides one-on-one support through appointments with licensed social workers and offers care coordination and resource referrals to help LGBTQ Jewish youth access tools for informed decision-making, future planning, and mental health resilience.

Advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish communal spaces by organizing panel discussions at institutions like Yeshiva University, enabling LGBTQ participation in the Celebrate Israel Parade, and pushing religious organizations to reject conversion therapy, including advocating for the Rabbinical Council of America to withdraw endorsement of JONAH.