About GesherEU#
Gesher is Hebrew for bridge. The charity was founded by Emily Green, who left her Chasidic community in 2012 and went through the Family Court to stay in her five children's lives; the first social gathering was 20 people in her home. It became a registered charity in 2014 and now has well over 100 members. It is mostly run by volunteers, with a welfare support officer and a community coordinator who grew up in Stamford Hill. It is based in north London, has a chapter in Manchester, and supports some members elsewhere in Europe, though most of its services are for the UK.
It is open to anyone leaving any ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, not only Chasidic ones. Its stated position is clear: it does not encourage anyone to leave, but supports people who have left or are leaving, and will help someone still deciding to explore the options, whatever they choose.
A discreet first conversation#
GesherEU says any contact is completely confidential, and nobody will know you have spoken to it without your consent. Its get support page offers a discreet conversation with the founder or an experienced volunteer. The contact page lists a free helpline answered on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, an email address, and a form; if you would rather be phoned or texted back, you can say so in your message. Part of the site is in Yiddish.
What it helps with#
Its members, it says, are in some ways like new immigrants, and one of the challenges it lists is the need to forge a new identity. Its welfare work is practical:
- Forms and benefits. Help filling in forms, claiming benefits, and reporting changes in your circumstances to the DWP.
- Legal support. Finding a solicitor, claiming legal aid, gathering evidence and writing statements, and going with members to meetings or court through a civil divorce or Family Court proceedings about children.
- Starting out. Help with accommodation, work and catch-up education, and in exceptional cases emergency grants for a deposit, furniture or study.
- Community. Socials, residential weekends and an online parenting group, including for members whose children remain in the community.
If you want a new name#
GesherEU publishes nothing on names. Some people leaving keep their name; others want one that sits more easily in the wider world, perhaps an English version of a Yiddish or Hebrew name. Anyone aged 16 or over can change their own name by deed poll in England and Wales, using GOV.UK's free wording and two adult witnesses, without anyone's agreement. Changing your name after converting to a religion covers the general rules, which apply just as much when you leave a religious life.
Two points need care. A child's name is different: it needs the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility, or a court order, which matters if you are in Family Court proceedings. And if you are separating, changing your name while separated explains what a new name does and does not affect. Raise either with the welfare officer or your solicitor before you sign anything.
Others who can help#
Faith to Faithless runs a helpline for people leaving any high-control religion. The charities directory lists more.
This page describes what GesherEU publishes on its own website, read on 26 October 2026. GesherEU has not reviewed it, and listing a charity here does not mean it recommends this handbook or any deed poll service.
