We provide various support services. Direct services to families in the form of individual sessions, group sessions, drop-in, chizzuk and health and wellness zoom events, and in-person events are provided at no charge. We understand that families who come to us are facing a significant challenge, and we want to ensure that there are no financial barriers to receiving support. Our Shabbaton does have an associated fee. We will provide scholarships and sliding scales to accommodate as many of our families as possible. School training has a suggested donation of $1500. Evening programs at a shul or other communal settings (within the New York City metro area) have a suggested donation of $750. For in-person community events outside of the New York City metro area, please contact Kesher Families to discuss the suggested donation.

You can reach Kesher Families by phone, text, or email. You can also submit a message through the form on the Contact page. 833-KESHERF (537-4373) info@kesherfamilies.org

The organization was founded by Rebbetzin Adeena and Rabbi Menachem Penner to provide support for Orthodox families with a loved one who identifies as LGBTQ+. Kesher Families was inspired by the many families who contacted the Penners seeking a safe, warm and compassionate space where they could openly discuss their experiences, conflicts and emotions. Kesher Families also works with various Orthodox communities and their leaders across the United States and in other countries, as well as with schools, rabbinic leaders and organizations to provide education and support.

The podcast is linked in our media section and can also be heard by clicking on the link below

Schools may want to share Kesher Families as a resource for families. If a school suspects that the parents are unaware of the child’s identity, Kesher asks that they call us for a consultation before sharing our information with individual families. Alternatively, our information can be shared with all the families in a school as a general resource.

Trainings are available with Rabbi Penner, Rebbetzin Penner, Rabbi Chaim Rapoport or Rabbi Yakov Horowitz. The Penners are available for speaking opportunities and scholar-in-residence programs. The fee varies depending on the specific program that is requested. Please call 833-537-4373 x3 or email shira@kesherfamilies.org to speak with our Director of Operations, Shira Greenberger, about what would be best for your needs.

Individual sessions, available in-person or virtually, with our leadership team: Rabbi Menachem and/or Adeena Penner, Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, or Rabbi Yakov Horowitz. Support groups facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, fostering connection, understanding, and community. Chizzuk (support) Zoom programs featuring respected rabbinic voices, sharing encouragement, insights, and guidance, along with open Q&A facilitated by our staff. Health and wellness Zoom events guided by mental health professionals, addressing the holistic well-being of our families. In-person events designed to strengthen connection, support and community between our families. An annual Shabbaton/weekend retreat, bringing our families together in person for learning, growth and the opportunity to bond as a community. In order to access Kesher Families' support services, all new families must complete an intake. To schedule an intake, please either call Kesher at 833-537-4373 x3 or send a message through our website. Sessions are provided free of charge.

Both support groups and drop-in sessions are held over Zoom. Support groups are created around specific issues or aspects of a person’s life, such as a group for families who have experienced a rupture or a group for families from more right wing communities. Support groups repeat, usually weekly for 8 sessions, and require a commitment from participants to attend each session. Our support groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals. These groups entail a degree of vulnerability in that people are visible on camera, but they also allow for bonding and a sense of community for the group members. Only people who have completed an intake and signed our guidelines may join our groups. Drop-in sessions occur twice a month, facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and hosted by our Director of Operations, Shira Greenberger. Drop-in runs for one hour, and our staff stays online to allow the conversation to continue for an additional half-an-hour. People must register for each session and will only be able to log in if they have completed an intake. Drop-in provides an opportunity for people who can’t commit to weekly groups. While we always appreciate the connection that happens when cameras are on, we are happy to have you even if you’re not ready to have the camera on or speak in front of others. Whether you come for 90 minutes or 5, we’re happy to see you. Drop-in participants are also welcome to use a pseudonym and participate in the chat either instead of or in addition to speaking. Support groups and drop-in sessions are free of charge for our families.

Family sessions can be conducted virtually or in-person, depending on where the family lives. Our support groups, drop in sessions, chizzuk and health and wellness events take place virtually on Zoom.

Also called family sessions, individual sessions are for family members of a loved one who has come out, begun to identify as LGBTQ+, or otherwise indicated that they are questioning their gender, uninterested in the opposite sex, or attracted to people of the same sex. Sessions are conducted via Zoom or in person depending on the family's geographic location and whom they would like to meet. Our individual sessions are available free of charge to families who have completed an intake. Sessions can be scheduled with Rabbi Penner and/or Rebbetzin Penner, Rabbi Chaim Rapoport or Rabbi Yakov Horowitz for family members who have a loved one who is LGBTQ+. We do our best to schedule sessions as quickly as possible. Sessions can be conducted in English, Hebrew, or Yiddish.

Intakes are phone conversations conducted with each family that joins Kesher Families. Intakes should take approximately 15 minutes. In the intake, we will verify some contact information and preferences, ask about the scenario that prompted the phone call, and explore with you what supports we offer and what might best meet your needs. These intakes also ensure that we have vetted everyone you encounter in our shared spaces.

To schedule an intake, please call 833-537-4373 ext. 2, or use the contact form on this website. Once intake is complete, Shira Greenberger, our Director of Operations, will work with you to schedule a session. Sessions are free of charge for our families.

To join a group, please call or email our Director of Operations, Shira Greenberger, at 833-537-4373 x 3 or shira@kesherfamilies.org to schedule an intake. Once intake is complete, you will be able to register for groups and drop-in. Periodic emails go out to remind families of active groups they may want to join and gauge interest in new group offerings. Drop-in registration emails go out several days before each session. Drop-in registration can be completed and approved up to three hours before the drop-in session begins. Group and drop-in sessions are free of charge for our families.