Nehirim builds community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews, partners, and allies.

Welcome!  Nehirim (“Lights”) is the leading national provider of programs for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews, partners, and allies.  Our retreats and other programs transform lives, and inspire GLBT Jews to be agents for change in their home communities. Nehirim is an independent, nonprofit, and nondenominational organization which celebrates the gifts of Judaism and sexual & gender diversity.

On June 1, 2010, Nehirim merged with NUJLS, the National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students.  The NUJLS Student Conference will now join Nehirim’s annual retreat calendar, together with the Nehirim East, West, Rockies, and Southeast Spiritual Retreats; the Queer Shabbatonim “urban retreats” in New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco; the Men’s and Women’s retreats and summer programs; and the many local events and programs we run every month. Please look around to learn more.

What is a Nehirim Retreat like? Everyone has a different experience. For some, it’s a spiritual weekend; for others, it’s a fun getaway to meet other queer Jews. For some, it’s the most “Jewish” thing they’ve done in years; for others, the most “out.” Check out our video to get a taste. This is Nehirim!

The Nehirim staff is now in high-gear preparing for the start of the NUJLS (National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students) 2010-2011 school year and also our 4th Annual Queer Shabbaton New York on Halloween weekend, October 29-31. A full list of upcoming retreats and local events is available from the menu above–we hope you’ll click through the programming and find a Nehirim event near you! Also friend us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with other upcoming retreats and events, as well as interesting news and links from the Queer Jewish world!

Nehirim just concluded our first Camp Nehirim for Nice Jewish Boys on July 25th–the first Nehirim program of its kind, Camp Nehirim was a tremendous success and we look forward to running another camp in 2011! We also want to say “Thank you!” to everyone who came out for the 6th Annual Nehirim East Retreat. The retreat took place June 4-6 in beautiful Northwestern Connecticut at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, right on the heels of the 3rd Annual Nehirim West Retreat in Petaluma, CA this April. Coast-to-coast, this incredible and growing community continues to amaze us year after year with its talent, knowledge, energy, love, friendship and support.

Last October, the Queer Shabbaton NY brought together over 120 participants from around the country.   In December, we had 125 people join us for a Community Shabbat Dinner at CBST in New York, and 100+ more at our queer Hanukkah party in San Francisco, GIMMEL.  And in February, over 80 people braved the worst blizzard in DC history to join us for the Queer Shabbaton DC and our March Men’s and Women’s retreats drew new and returning participants alike, with 140+ participants coming to these Northeastern retreats. In April Nehirim West retreat in Petaluma, CA drew an outstanding group of 60+ West Coast Jewish queers for cutting-edge classes, spiritual renewal, and queer Jewish connection. We truly look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Click on the links at the top of the page to learn more about these and other upcoming Nehirim programs.  Also, please become a fan on Facebook to stay in touch.   Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy our new website, and look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.  Shalom!