Welcome! Nehirim is a national community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Jews, partners, and allies, committed to a more just and inclusive world.

Nehirim’s work falls into two areas: community programming and advocacy.

Our community programming, coordinated by volunteer leaders, consists of weekend retreats devoted to creating meaningful and spiritual community, student programming on college campuses, and local programs across the country.

Our advocacy work centers on building a more just and inclusive world based on the teachings in the Jewish tradition. In the last six months alone, Nehirim has presented over 40 nationwide events related to our founder Jay Michaelson’s new book, God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality. We have partnered with grassroots and national LGBT organizations ranging from the Radical Faeries to the Human Rights Campaign, and are active in presenting a Jewish voice for equality on the national stage.

All kinds of people come to Nehirim events: religious, secular, queer, straight allies, Jewish, non-Jewish partners and families, and people of all different sexual orientations, gender identities, economic backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, and ages. Some Nehirim events are focused on spirituality, others on politics and culture, and some are just fun. Check out our Is Nehirim for Me? page to learn more or watch the video right here on the home page. Feel free to contact us anytime at info@nehirim.org!

Our upcoming programs include:

Nehirim East Retreat 2012

June 15–17, 2012, Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Falls Village, CT

The Nehirim East Spiritual Retreat is Nehirim’s flagship retreat weekend, bringing together over one hundred LGBT Jews from around the country. This year is our eighth annual retreat, directed by Rabbi Joel Alter and with new workshops on arts, self-defense, nutrition, Jewish spirituality, and more.  Click here to register.

Camp Nehirim for Nice Jewish Boys

August 22–26, 2012, Easton Mountain, Greenwich, NY

It’s the gayest Jewish summer camp ever! Now in its third year, the Nehirim Summer Camp is five days of swimming, hiking, volleyball, river tubing, campfires, hot tubbing, cookouts, delicious food, inspiring workshops, and that special Nehirim ruach (spirit) of community and spirituality. Directed by Rabbi David Dunn Bauer. Click here to register.

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality

Nehirim is proud to have presented over 40 events about our founder Jay Michaelson’s book God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality, recently nominated for a Lambda Literary Award.  While the tour is now over, Jay will be continuing to lead events and workshops across the country in the remainder of 2012.  Meanwhile, you can purchase a copy of the book here.