Formation | 2004 |
---|---|
Founder | Jay Michaelson |
Founded at | New York City |
Dissolved | 2015 |
Purpose | LGBT rights |
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 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]
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]
Formation | 2004 |
---|---|
Founder | Jay Michaelson |
Founded at | New York City |
Dissolved | 2015 |
Purpose | LGBT rights |
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 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]
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]