Nehirim

Nehirim was a national community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) Jews, families, students and allies that was founded in 2004.^[1] The organization ceased operations at the end of 2015.^[2]

Nehirim

Formation	2004; 21 years ago (2004)
Founder	Jay Michaelson
Founded at	New York City
Dissolved	2015; 10 years ago (2015)
Purpose	LGBT rights

History

Nehirim was founded in 2004 by Jay Michaelson. He served as Executive Director until 2010, when Michael Hopkins succeeded him.^[3] Rabbi Debra Kolodny assumed the role in 2013.^[4] Nehirim's Board of Directors included Corey Friedlander, Rabbi Joel Alter, Rabbi Julia Watts Belser, Rabbi David Dunn Bauer, Dr. Joel Kushner, and Dr. Alyssa Finn.^[5]

Nehirim means "lights" in Hebrew.^[6][3] The name comes from the Hebrew word Zohar, referring to the lights of heaven and rainbow colors seen at sunset.^[7] Its goal was to create and foster a more just and inclusive world based on the values of the Jewish tradition. Nehirim's primary programs were intensive weekend retreats and service programming promoting LGBT inclusion and equality.^[8] It was also a member of the Coalition for Liberty & Justice organized by Catholics for Choice and the National Council of Jewish Women^[9] and the National Religious Leadership Roundtable as part of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.^[10]

Retreats

Nehirim retreats offered a means for LGBT Jews and their families to connect, learn, and grow together.^[11] Retreats have included East Coast gatherings at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Connecticut,^[8][12] a transgender gathering at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California,^[13][14] student retreats at Boston University,^[15][16] West Coast gatherings at the Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma, California,^[17] men's summer camps at the Easton Mountain Retreat Center in upstate New York,^[18][19] queer Jewish weekends in New York City at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan,^[20] and women's retreats at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.^[21]

Nehirim's first retreat for LGBT rabbis, rabbinic pastors, cantors, and students was held in 2014 in San Francisco.^[22][23]