Eshel

What Eshel does

Eshel is a US-based nonprofit organization founded in 2010 to build LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities. Co-founded by Rabbi Steve Greenberg (the first openly gay Orthodox-ordained rabbi) and Miryam Kabakov, Eshel operates from New York with a secondary presence in Israel and serves three principal audiences: LGBTQ+ Jews in Orthodox communities, parents of LGBTQ+ children, and Orthodox synagogues and schools seeking inclusion guidance. Its offerings are organized as a suite of community programs rather than a technology product, including a 24/7 warmline (724-374-3501) handling 40+ contacts per month, recurring support groups (Parents Drop-In, Women's LGBTQ+, Straight Spouses, Trans Experience, and regional meetups), annual retreats (a national LGBTQ+ retreat drawing 150+ participants and a Parent Retreat at Pearlstone with tiered registration of $725–$1,450 per attendee), the Welcoming Shuls Project network of 300+ inclusive rabbis and congregations, the Eshel High School Pledge, and educational resources including the Yente Over the Rainbow dating site and Torah content.

The organization has no technology platform, API, or proprietary software; its digital footprint consists of a WordPress website (eshelonline.org), a YouTube channel, a blog (Eshel Out Loud), Zoom-based virtual programming, and HubSpot forms for registration and mailing list capture. Distribution is primarily direct through community programming, retreats, and institutional training for synagogues and schools, with marketing through earned media (Religion News Service, Moment Magazine, AP News, JNS), podcast appearances, and a newsletter.

Eshel's revenue model is donations-driven as a 501(c)-style nonprofit, supplemented by foundation grants and modest retreat registrations. With 6 employees, no disclosed budget, and no funding rounds, operating units are lean and rely on a network of community leaders, volunteers, and partner organizations. The organization is in a deliberate growth phase, having launched its first three-year strategic plan (Branching Out, FY26–FY28) and expanded program surface to Israel (monthly meetups since 2022, first Israel Parent Shabbaton in 2026) and new US geographies.

Name

Eshel

Legal name

Eshel

Website

https://eshelonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Eshel is a 501(c) nonprofit founded in 2010 that builds LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities through retreats, support groups, a 24/7 warmline, and the Welcoming Shuls Project serving LGBTQ+ Jews, their parents, and Orthodox synagogues in the US and Israel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community & Religious Inclusion Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAFAE

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ Orthodox community
• Community support programs
• Religious inclusion advocacy
• Parent support groups
• Retreat programming

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Eshel operates as a nonprofit organization supported by donations from individuals, foundations, and community members. The organization mentions donor support in communications and offers giving opportunities on their website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eshel builds LGBTQ+ inclusive Orthodox Jewish communities through retreats, virtual and in-person support groups, a confidential Warmline, a dating site for gay Orthodox Jews, and institutional advocacy via the Welcoming Communities Project (which engages rabbis and schools). It also produces educational materials and an Ally Guide for families, educators, and community members.

Product overview

Eshel is a nonprofit organization that operates as a suite of community support and advocacy programs rather than a technology product. Its core offerings include a Warmline support service (24/7 phone/text/email support), various recurring support groups (for LGBTQ+ individuals, parents, spouses, and trans people), annual retreats (Parent Retreat, National LGBTQ+ Retreat, Israel Parent Shabbaton), the Welcoming Shuls Project for institutional advocacy, educational resources, and the Yente Over the Rainbow dating resource. The organization uses standard digital tools like Zoom for virtual programming and HubSpot forms for registration, but does not offer a technology platform or API product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yente Over the Rainbow: A dating site for LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews operated in partnership with Eshel.

Products and services

• Community Retreats Multi-day in-person retreats bringing together LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals, parents, and allies for community building, learning, and support within an Orthodox framework.
• Parent Support Groups Facilitated support groups for parents and family members of LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews, providing peer support and Orthodox-informed guidance.
• Eshel Warmline Confidential phone/email intake line for LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals, parents, and allies seeking confidential support and referrals.
• Eshel Dating Site Online dating site for gay Orthodox Jews to meet prospective partners within an Orthodox-observant and LGBTQ+ affirming environment.
• Welcoming Communities Project Institutional advocacy and training initiative engaging Orthodox rabbis, synagogues, and day schools to develop policies, training, and resources for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
• Eshel For Schools Programming and resources for Orthodox day schools and educators to support LGBTQ+ students, including staff training and curricular guidance.
• Eshel Ally Guide Downloadable educational guide for parents, educators, and community members serving as allies to LGBTQ+ Orthodox Jews.
• Virtual Support Groups Online facilitated support groups held via video conferencing for LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals and parents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 welcoming rabbis and synagogues in network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025JFNA organized a Pride Month trip to Israel that included LGBTQ+ Jewish delegates. Eshel participated in this delegation as part of broader efforts to connect LGBTQ+ Jews with Israel and pro-Israel community spaces. The trip came amid broader sense of alienation many LGBTQ+ Jews had been experiencing in their LGBTQ communities back home.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SOJOURN: SOJOURN (Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity) supports LGBTQ+ Jews and advocates for inclusion, especially in the American South. Comparable peer offering similar programmatic mix (parent support, community building, advocacy) at a regional scope.
• Keshet: Keshet is a national Jewish organization advancing LGBTQ+ equality across the full spectrum of Jewish life, with education and community programming. It is the most directly comparable peer in Jewish LGBTQ+ advocacy, though Keshet spans the denominational spectrum while Eshel is specifically Orthodox-focused.
• JQY (Jewish Queer Youth): JQY supports and empowers LGBTQ+ Jewish youth through advocacy, support groups, and community programming. Directly comparable as a Jewish LGBTQ+ support organization; Eshel serves a broader age range (including adults, parents, and institutions), while JQY focuses on teens and young adults.
• Nehirim: Nehirim is a community for LGBTQ+ Jews, partners, families, and allies that offers retreats, gatherings, and educational programming. Closely comparable peer in retreat-based community building for Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
• A Wider Bridge: A Wider Bridge advances LGBTQ+ inclusion in Israel and connects North American and Israeli LGBTQ+ Jews. Directly comparable mission overlap with Eshel's Israel engagement dimension, particularly around the Israel Parent Shabbaton and JFNA partnership work.

Others

• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA): JFNA is the umbrella body for North American Jewish federations and a confirmed institutional partner of Eshel, including on the 2025 Pride Month Israel delegation. Relevant as a major institutional ally and potential funding conduit rather than a direct competitor, given its broad community-services scope.

Broad incumbents

• JCC Association of North America: JCC Association is the continental umbrella for Jewish Community Centers, which offer wide-ranging inclusive programming including LGBTQ+ initiatives. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating community programming in Jewish contexts, though not Orthodox-specific.
• PFLAG: PFLAG is the largest US family-and-ally organization for LGBTQ+ people with hundreds of chapters nationwide. Comparable as a broad-incumbent peer offering parent/family support and community building similar to Eshel's parent retreat and support group programming, though PFLAG is secular rather than faith-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyS6jn-AlwZMn_v4PUOqtdQ/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eshelonline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eshel