This page is intended to provide halachic information for those considering attending the 2008 retreat. If you don't see your question answered, please ask.

Kashrut: Isabella Freedman has an on-site Orthodox mashgiach, and is regularly rented out by Orthodox organizations. Dairy products are not cholov yisrael. Additional kashrut information may be obtained on the Isabella Freedman website. For Nehirim West, we will offer two options: Walter Creek Ranch is providing vegetarian meals cooked on non-kosher equipment, and we will provide catered, sealed kosher meals upon request. Please be sure to note this request when you register, as last minute requests cannot be accommodated.

Davening (prayer): On Friday night, all of Nehirim davens together. Kabbalah Shabbat is non-traditional, and may include the use of instrments. Maariv is traditional and led by a man with no musical accompaniment. On Saturday morning, we often offer are two services: a non-traditional one and a "traditional egalitarian" option. The traditional service is egalitarian -- there is mixed seating and full participation by women. The traditional service does a triennial kriyah, but the full davening in a traditional way. Shabbat Mincha, Maariv, and Sunday morning minyan all include traditional-egalitarian options. Over the years, we have found that this blend best reflects the needs and desires of Nehirim attendees. Naturally, we welcome your feedback.

Shabbat: Not all Nehirim programs are Shabbat-observant, but there is always at least one in each time slot that is. Some teachers use instruments, electricity, and writing implements on Shabbat. These programs can be identified in advance so you can choose the alternatives. Except for Kabbalat Shabbat, which may include a guitar or drums (not for Maariv), all of the all-retreat programs are shomer shabbat; we do not use electricity or amplification at meals, and ask that all participants respect shabbat in public spaces. There is an eruv at Isabella Freedman which is checked every Friday. There is no eruv at Walter Creek Ranch.

GLBT: As a GLBT organization, Nehirim's "bottom line" is a celebration of the unique gifts of GLBT Jews. Naturally, many of our attendees are struggling with how to reconcile their sexuality with their religious hashkafa. We honor and support those journeys. However, we are committed to providing a safe space for all our participants, which means that differing paths must be respected and honored without expressions of judgment or criticism. Nehirim is about living a full spiritual and emotional life, embracing of both sexuality and religion.

Other: As part of our commitment to pluralism, we do not ask our attendees to adhere to anything other than the American customs of tzniut, or to any particular mode of religious expression. We are a diverse community; some men wear kippot and other do not. Most (though not all) women dress in ways other than the Orthodox standard. Some people will bench after every meal, but the community may only do a single line of chant. We do a halachic kiddush together, but also respect people's desires to do their own. In general, Nehirim may be the most religiously diverse spiritual gathering in the Jewish world. United as members of sexual or gender minorities, we embrace a very broad range of religious and social identities. We have had orthodox participants at every one of our retreats, and most of our staff has been orthodox at some points in our lives; we know the issues! If you are halachically observant, we hope this page has been useful to you, and hope you will join our diverse community.