Or Chayim is a growing, start-up Jewish congregation of LGBTQ people and allies.
A start-up Shabbat & holidays community experience for unaffiliated, traditional and Orthodox LGBTQ Jews. Located in New York City’s Upper West Side.
- Spiritually uplifting, traditional, Orthodox-style minyan services, with minimalist mechitza
- Hot kiddush including chulent, kugel, israeli salad and cookies. B.Y.O.K.B.
- 3 course kosher Shabbat & holidays dinner
We began on February 28, 2014, on a wintry night, when more than 50 attendees gathered to daven at 6pm and then stayed for over two hours afterward schmoozing and gathering around a hot kiddush. 30 people then sat down for our first Shabbat dinner.
The “LGBT Minyan” has continued each month, plus a special Shavuot night service & dinner, Rosh Hashanah night service kiddush & dinner, YomKippur Neilah & break-fast, Chanukah party and two Shabbat day services.
The first 24 services have attracted over 400 unique visitors to our Congregation. We have more than 600 interested followers between our email list and social media. We have served approximately 1500 Shabbat and holiday meals. Our attendance has averaged 70 attendees each time.
Founded by Oliver Rosenberg, a graduate of Yeshiva University, who currently resides in New York City’s Upper West Side.
Click here for list of upcoming events
Click here for our first press coverage in Haaretz
Click here for The Jewish Week’s honoring of Oliver Rosenberg for being one of the 36 under 36 for his work at Or Chayim.
Our congregation cares deeply about the survival of Israel. We are firmly committed to the security and welfare of Israel. Now more than ever, Israel needs our vocal support.
Our Shabbat Chanukah gala kiddush & program was sponsored by A Wider Bridge.
Our May 1st 2015 Shabbat in the Spring dinner, our June 24th 2015 Pride Shabbat and our August 9 2015 Shabbat in the Summer was nourished by OneTable.
Our Rosh Hashanah Kiddush, Seder & Tasting and our Bring Light to Chanukah program and party were made possible by #MakeItHappen micro grants from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
FAQ
Or Chayim 
I am looking for a new place to worship. I am presently at CBST and an looking for a new Shule. I would be interested in attending your High Holiday services. Can you please provide me with more information. Thank you.
Bruce Pachter
Thank you, Bruce. We will be offering a 1st night Rosh Hashanah minyan and dinner and a Yom Kippur Neilah service & break-fast after. The dates and times of upcoming events are always available at https://lgbtminyan.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/
Anyone interested can also reach out to us for more information at Info@LGBTminyan.org