Contributors: Mental Health Initiative, Nancy Solomon, Liz Lasdon, Dina Bakst, Amy Lipin/CRS Social Action Committee
Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
Hotline: (212) 714-1141 | Phone: (212) 714-1184 | 116 Nassau Street, 3rd Floor, NYC, NY 10038
Offers free and confidential crisis counseling, support, and advocacy to victims of crime—including bias crime, rape, and sexual assault, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS-related violence, police misconduct or a pick-up crime.
Safe Homes Project
Hotline: (718) 499-2151 | Phone: (212) 243-7070 | 305 7th Avenue, 9th Floor, NYC, NY 10001
A community-based, domestic violence advocacy and service program that provides a hotline, counseling, shelter, safety-planning, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence.
The Center—Youth
(212) 620-7310 | 208 West 13th Street, NYC, NY 10011
The Center is committed to helping members of the LGBT community enrich their lives through services and programs that support growth and connection. Through our programming for families and youth, we have provided the guidance that thousands of families have needed to grow, and the foundation from which thousands of LGBT young people have flourished.
Day One
Hotline: (800) 214-4150 | Text Line: (646) 535-3291 | P.O Box 3220 Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
Free and confidential counseling, case management and legal advice, information and direct representation to young people age 24 and under related to dating abuse. They have specific services for LGBT, gender non-conforming, queer and questioning youth.
The Door
(212) 941-9090 | 121 Avenue of the Americas, NYC, NY 10013
A social service agency for all youth, offering a support group for LGBT youth as well as health care services, recreation, referrals and high school equivalency classes.
Hetrick-Martin Institute
(212) 674-2600 | 2 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003
An after-school program for LGBT youth and home of the Harvey Milk High School.
Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center
(212) 423-3000 | 312-320 East 94th Street, NYC, NY 10128
A New York City-based program delivering comprehensive, integrated medical and mental health services and prevention education to young people aged 10 to 22. New York City’s largest provider of high-quality, comprehensive, free health and wellness services for young people, and one of the nation’s leading centers of adolescent health care, training and research.
NYU Child Mind Institute
(212) 308-3118 | 445 Park Avenue, NYC, NY 10022
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders They work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most.
William Alanson White Institute
(212) 873-0725 | 20 West 74th Street, NYC, NY 10023
A psychoanalytic training and treatment centers for almost seventy-five years. The faculty and graduates continue to make major contributions to the professional literature and to assume significant leadership roles in academic and clinical training settings and in national and international professional organizations.
Affordable Colleges Online – LGBTQ Friendly Colleges & Student Resources
A guide to show LGBTQ students the various on-campus and online resources they can use to help make college a more welcoming and supportive experience. This guide also includes interviews with a pair of diversity experts who lead student inclusion efforts on campuses today.
Campus Pride
(704) 277-6710 | P.O. Box 240473, Charlotte, NC 28224
Campus Pride serves LGBTQ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities.
GoGrad – Scholarships & Financial Aid for LGBTQ Students
A variety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) scholarships in popular career fields such as the arts, physical or social sciences, advocacy and education, tips and resources for funding your master’s degree and a scholarship application checklist.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
(212) 271-7200 | 356 W 18th St, NYC, NY 10011
Provides sensitive, affirming care for transgender and gender non-conforming adolescents and adults. Many trans health resources are available on its website.
HEAT (Health and Education Alternatives for Teens)
(718) 467-4446 | 760 Parkside Avenue, Room 308, Brooklyn, NY 11226
HEAT provides free, comprehensive and confidential services for youth who are HIV+ and at-risk, ages 13-24, including HIV and STD testing, counseling services, mental health services and access to clinical research.
HOTT Program (Health Outreach To Teens)
(212) 271-7200 | 356 West 18th Street, NYC, NY 10011
A program of the Callen Lorde Community Health Center, offering free and confidential primary health care, HIV care and medical services for LGBT youth. Call for appointment.
Planned Parenthood Health Center Services
Planned Parenthood offers birth control, pregnancy testing, GYN care, STD screening and HIV testing and counseling services.
Ryan Community Health Center
(212) 749-1820 | 110 West 97th Street, NYC, NY 10025 | (see website for additional locations)
A free and confidential health clinic. Offers physicals, pregnancy tests and birth control, STD screening and treatment, HIV testing and treatment, TB testing, check-ups, counseling, free condoms and referrals.
Ali Forney Center
(212) 222-3427 | 224 West 35th Street, 15th Floor, NYC, NY 10001
Services for Homeless LGBTQ Youth, ages 16–24, in order to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives. Offers emergency and transitional housing, drop-in services, meals, support groups, counseling and medical services.
New Alternative for LGBT Homeless Youth
(718) 300-0133 | 410 West 40th Street, NYC, NY 10018
Program to increase the self-sufficiency of homeless LGBT youth and to enable them to transition out of the shelter system and into stable adult lives.
Peter Cicchino Youth Project
(877) 542-8529 | 321 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor, NYC, NY 10027 | (see website for additional locations)
Legal services for homeless and street-involved LGBTQ youth in NYC.
Sylvia’s Place at Metropolitan Community Church
(212) 629-7440 | 446 West 36th Street, NYC, NY 10018
Provides social services for the homeless and the hungry, including people living with HIV/AIDS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) youth.
Safe Horizon Streetwork Project
(212) 695-2220 | 209 West 125th St – 2nd Floor, NYC, NY 10027 | (see website for additional locations)
Provides LGBT-affirming services for runaway and homeless youth, including emergency housing, food, clothing, showers, medical care, needle exchange and an HIV support group.
Covenant House
(800) 388-3888 | 461 Eighth Avenue, NYC, NY 10001
Provides emergency shelter, crisis care, counseling and clothing.
Trinity Place Shelter
164 West 100th Street, New York, New York 10025
Transitional housing program for LGBTQ youth ages 18-24 in New York City.
Lamda Legal
(212) 809-8585 | 120 Wall Street, 19th Floor, NYC, NY 10005
Works for full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through legal advocacy.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
(212) 337-8550 | 147 W 24th St, 5th Floor, NYC, NY 10011
Legal help to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. Provides legal services for trans-youth including issues related to welfare, benefits, immigration, school, name-changes and police.
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
(646) 862-9396 | 20 West 20th Street, Suite 705, NYC, NY 10011
Legal programs to end discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, including The Name Change Project, which organizes free legal name change services.
Urban Justice Center
(646) 602-5600 | 40 Rector Street; 9th Floor, NYC, NY 10006
Offers free legal services to LGBT youth, including help with immigration, public benefits, discrimination and more.
Keith LaScalea (NYP)
https://weillcornell.org/keithlascalea
Roger Emert (NYU)
https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1184623134/roger-i-emert
Jeffrey Engel (Concorde)
https://www.concordemed.com/people/jeffrey-m-engel-md/
Charles Mimken (Mount Sinai)
https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/charles-mimken
Kris Bungay (Gotham Medical Group)
https://gothammed.com/
Paul Scheel, PA (OneMedical)
https://www.onemedical.com/providers/paul-scheel/
Matthew Mancini, PA (OneMedical)
https://www.onemedical.com/providers/matthew-mancini/ Chance Turner, FNP
Chance Turner, FNP (OneMedical)
https://www.onemedical.com/providers/chance-turner/
Daniel Marcovici (OneMedical)
https://www.onemedical.com/providers/daniel-marcovici/
Paul Basch (CareMount Medical)
https://www.caremountmedical.com/directory/people/show/paulbasch/
Eamonn Vitt (Eamon Vitt MD)
https://www.drvitt.com/
Todd McNiff (Sullivan Street Medical)
https://www.sullivanstreetmedical.com/todd
Ronald Englert, DO (OneMedical)
https:/ /www.onemedical.com/providers/ronald-englert/
Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG)
Phone: (646) 240-4288 | Helpline: (212) 463-0629 | 130 E. 25th Street, Suite M1, NYC, NY 10010
Helps LGBTQ youth and their families stay close, keep together, and strengthen love and acceptance. The Safe Schools Program helps schools create safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ students. Offers support and education to parents whose children are coming out, including a specific group for parents and friends of transgender youth. The TransFamilies Project serves families with transgender and gender non-conforming loved ones.
The Parents Project
556 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite 101, #490, Pasadena, CA 91105
The Parents Project is a first-of-its-kind digital presence, inclusive of videos, advice, and resources, dedicated exclusively toward helping parents understand their LGBTQ kids.
SCO Family Therapy Intervention Program
Phone: (516) 671-1253 or (718) 895-2555 | Hotline: (718) 674-7800 | (see website for locations)
Provides free, short-term family counseling services to support parents and young people in working through challenges that might arise related to coming out.
The Trevor Project
Hotline: (866) 488-7386
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people and allies. Has online resources for chat and social networking, as well.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Hotline (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline): (800) 273-TALK (8255) | Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 | Phone: 1-888-333-AFSP (2377) | 120 Wall Street, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10005 | Email: info@afsp.org
Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health.
The Jed Foundation
Hotline (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline): (800) 273-TALK (8255) | Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741741 | Phone: (212) 647-7544 FAX (212) 647-7542 | 6 E 39th Street, Suite 1204, New York, NY 10016
JED is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. They partner with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems. They are equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. They are encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health.
Bee’s Fund
(212) 457-1341 | 1270 Broadway, Suite 501, NYC, NY, 10001
Benefits young women whose own families have withdrawn emotional and often financial support because of their sexual and/or gender identity.
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
(347) 889-7719 | 1360 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Programs for young people ages 12-24.
Destination Tomorrow
(646) 723-3325 | 2825 Third Ave, Bronx, NY 10455
Comprehensive youth services for LGBTQ youths in the Bronx.
Gender and Family Project
(212) 879-4900 x 150 | 936 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10010
Part of the Ackerman Institute, GFP empowers youth, families and communities by providing gender affirmative services, training, and research.
The Center
(212) 620-7310 | 208 West 13th Street, NYC, NY 10011
The LGBTQ Community Center provides counseling, resources for skills building and career development, and peer support.
Queens Community House
(718) 592-5757 | 108-25 62nd Drive, Queens, NY 11375
Based at Queens Community House, social services and social, educational, and recreational activities for LGBTQ youth.
GLSEN
(212) 727-0135 | 110 William Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038
Helps make school curriculum safe and affirming for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
LGBTQ Directory
Published by the NYC Comptroller, the LGBTQ Guide of Services and Resources is a comprehensive directory of LGBTQ resources and services in New York City covering hundreds of community organizations ranging from health care facilities to counseling and support groups, recreational clubs, and much more.
Pride Center of Staten Island
(718) 808-1360 | 25 Victory Blvd. (3rd Floor) – Staten Island, NY 10301
Comprehensive services for the LGBTQ community of Staten Island, including youth support and after-school programs and support for families through PFLAG NYC on Staten Island.
Safe Schools Action Network (SSAN)
A leading grassroots organization committed to empowering all students, educators, and providers and communities in building inclusive safe schools and resources.
VCS, Inc.
(845) 634-5729 | 77 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956
Counseling and family support in Rockland County with an anti-racist, social justice mission.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom is not endorsing these organizations; this list is not comprehensive but is a collection of those recommended to us.
“Out of the Closet”
Hosted by Cantor Stefano Iacono
Trans Day of Visibility
Dr. Joy Ladin
National Coming Out Day
Cantor Stefano Iacono
Denise Sobel • Past Board Member
Val Coleman • Congregant
Michael Herwitz • Staff Member
Justin Callis (he/him), our Cantorial Intern, is a fourth-year student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. He is the recipient of the Reuben Peretz Abelson Prize for dedication to Yiddish Song, the Temple Israel of Boston Cantorial Prize, and the Lee Gura Memorial Prize for Aptitude in Synagogue Choral Music.
Known for his sweet and “sumptuous” (New York Times) tone, American-born Doori Na took up violin at the age of four and began his studies with Li Lin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He quickly made his first performance with orchestra at age seven with the Peninsula Youth Symphony as the first prize winner of the concerto competition. Thereafter Mr. Na went on to win top prizes in The Sound of Music Festival, The Korea Times Youth Music Competition, the Chinese Music Teacher’s Association, The Menuhin Dowling Young Artist Competition, The Junior Bach Festival, VOCE of the Music Teacher’s Association of California, and The Pacific Musical Society. Receiving full scholarships to private high school Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, he moved to Los Angeles to study with renown violin teacher, Robert Lipsett, at The Colburn Music School. There he appeared as soloist with the Palisades Symphony, Brentwood Symphony, and Torrance Symphony. During that time, the summer of 2004 was Mr. Na’s first time at the Perlman Music Program where his expression and musical identity were greatly influenced. He has been a part of the program ever since and participated in many of their special residencies in Florida, Vermont, New York, and Israel.
Violinist Michael Roth is a native of Scarsdale, NY and received his early musical training with Frances Magnes at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School. He attended Oberlin College and Conservatory, continuing his studies with Marilyn McDonald. At Oberlin, he won the Kaufman Prize for violin and First Prize in the Ohio String Teacher’s Association Competition. He completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Massachusetts where he worked with the distinguished American violinist and pedagogue Charles Treger and was a recipient of the Julian Olevsky Award. Mr. Roth is currently associate concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and has appeared in chamber music and as a soloist with the company, most recently in the debut of “Slice Too Sharp”, a ballet of Biber and Vivaldi violin concerti, and “After the Rain”, violin music of Arvo Part. In addition he is a member of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Principal 2nd violin of the Westchester Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra and the New York Pops. He was concertmaster of the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra for many years and often appeared as soloist there, as well as at the Caramoor and Bard Music Festivals. He has played and toured internationally with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the New York Chamber Soloists.
Sarah Adams, viola, performs locally with the New York Chamber Ensemble, the Claring Chamber Players, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Friends of Mozart, and the Saratoga Chamber Players.
Praised by the New York Times as “irresistible in both music and performance.” flutist, 
Rabbi Mira Weller (she/her) received her ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in May 2022. She studied Culture and Politics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and received her Master’s in Jewish Education at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR. She is the proud recipient of awards for her studies in rabbinic literature, her work in Jewish education, and she was granted the Myrtle Lorch Pfaelzer-Monroe Pfaelzer Award for an Outstanding Female Rabbinical School Student (2022). Rabbi Mira speaks Hebrew and Spanish (so please practice with her!). She has a passion for uncovering new possibilities in the great wealth of our tradition and for making music inspired by Judaism’s many cultures. Her guilty pleasures include cupcakes, classical music, and philosophy.
Alan Goodis is a touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. Born and raised in Toronto, Alan is a proud product of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan tours throughout the US to serve as an Artist-In-Residence and performer at Temples, Youth Conventions and Jewish summer camps.
Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her gorgeous compositions and liturgical settings, her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for over 25 years.
Dan is a product of the URJ Jewish camping movement. He has toured Jewish summer camps across North America for the last 15 years. A classically trained singer, Dan received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at the University of North Carolina. In 1995, realizing the potential of music to make powerful connections with Jewish youth, Dan established the Jewish rock band Eighteen. Since that time, Dan and Eighteen have released 13 albums. Songs like, L’takein, B’tzelem Elo-him, Kehillah Kedoshah, Chazak, Sweet As Honey, and Asher Yatzar have become Jewish communal anthems throughout North America.
Naomi Less is an internationally celebrated singer/songwriter, ritualist and educator. Beloved for her warm smile and inviting presence, communities celebrate her imagination and innovation, tenderness and pizzazz! Her original music is sung in worship communities worldwide. Naomi serves as Co-Founder, Ritual Leader and Associate Director of Lab/Shul and is a leader in amplifying women’s voices through her work at Songleader Boot Camp and her Jewish Women Rock show on Jewish Rock Radio. Naomiadvocates for people struggling with fertility journeys as a performance artist and speaker for Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Challenges. Fun fact: Naomi and her husband wrote the song shine/Yivarech’cha, a Friday night blessing, specifically composed for URJ Crane Lake Camp, sung every Friday night in the dining hall.
Her destiny became obvious to Joanie Leeds’ parents when, at the tender age of 2, Joanie grabbed the performer’s mic at a party and belted out the entire song“Tomorrow” from Annie. Jaws dropped! No one could remember ever hearing a big voice like that coming from one so tiny and certainly no one would have thought she would one day earn a GRAMMY® Award for her original music.
A composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader, Elana Arian is one of the leading voices in contemporary Jewish music. Elana’s music is part of Jewish life across the globe, and her compositions are sung in spiritual communities, summer camps, and synagogues from Louisville to London, from Chicago to the CzechRepublic, and everywhere in between. Elana just released her fourth album of original music, The Other Side of Fear, and her compositions have been published in countless Transcontinental Music collections. Elana serves proudly on the faculty of Hava Nashira (Oconomowoc, WI), the Wexner Heritage Foundation (Aspen, CO), Shirei Chagiga (London, England), and as an instructor at the Hebrew Union College in New York, where she teaches in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Elana has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, and perhaps most memorably, five separate appearances at the (Obama) White House. She lives in New York with her wife, Julia, and their two daughters, Maya and Acadia.
Known for his unique, engaging, and deeply soulful approach, Noah Aronson is considered one of the most sought after Jewish musicians in North America, making over 65 community appearances each year.
There is a reason why Time Magazine has listed Michelle in their Top Ten list of Jewish rock stars.
Kol B’Seder has been composing and performing contemporary Jewish music since the early1970s. Rabbi Dan Freelander and Cantor Jeff Klepper met as college students; over the past 50years they have released numerous CDs and songbooks. With Debbie Friedman (z”l) and others, they forged a new musical sound for American Jewish camps, schools and synagogues. Their songs, such as “Shalom Rav,” “Modeh Ani,” and “Lo Alecha,” have become traditionalJewish melodies around the world. They are delighted to be inaugurating their fiftieth anniversary celebration by appearing in support of URJ camps, where they first composed and incubated many of their early songs.
New York bassist Roger Wagner enjoys a long and diverse career. As soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral bassist, Mr. Wagner has appeared on many of the world’s great concert stages.
Margaret Kampmeier, 
Leonard Bernstein described 
Sarah Adams 
Michael Roth
Our initiative for young children and their grown-ups provides a slate of offerings including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, music, classroom readiness programs, and new parent experiences. During the pandemic, we have leaned on $1m of seed funding for Sholom Sprouts established through this campaign as we offer age-appropriate virtual programs for our families with young children, who are the future of our community. We look forward to welcoming our littlest members and their grown-ups back to our new fifth floor, as well as hiring a Program Assistant to increase the capacity of Sholom Sprouts to grow. This program provides a crucial entry-point to the congregation and membership for young families.
