Formation 2004 (2004) Purpose LGBT rights | Founder Jay Michaelson | |
Nehirim is a national community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) Jews, families, students and allies that was founded in 2004.
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History
Nehirim was founded in 2004 by Jay Michaelson. He served as Executive Director until 2010, when Michael Hopkins succeeded him. Rabbi Debra Kolodny assumed the role in 2013. Nehirim's Board of Directors includes Rabbi Joel Alter, Rabbi Julia Watts-Belser, Rabbi David Dunn-Bauer and Joel Kushner, PhD.
Nehirim means "lights" in Hebrew. The name comes from the Hebrew word Zohar, referring to the lights of heaven and rainbow colors seen at sunset. Its goal is to create and foster a more just and inclusive world based on the values of the Jewish tradition. Nehirim's primary programs are intensive, life-changing weekend retreats and service programming promoting LGBT inclusion and equality. It is also a member of the Coalition for Liberty & Justice organized by Catholics for Choice and the National Council of Jewish Women and the National Religious Leadership Roundtable as part of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Retreats
Nehirim retreats offer a means for LGBT Jews and their families to connect, learn and grow together. Retreats have included East Coast gatherings at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Connecticut, a transgender gathering at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, student retreats at Boston University, West Coast gatherings at the Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma, California, men's summer camps at the Easton Mountain Retreat Center in upstate New York, queer Jewish weekends in New York City at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, and women's retreats at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.
Nehirim's first retreat for LGBT rabbis, rabbinic pastors, cantors, and students was held in 2014 in San Francisco.