Feedback from Retreat Participants

Over 700 people have come to Nehirim retreats — but if you don’t know any of them, it can still be a little intimidating. What should you expect at a Nehirim retreat? What kinds of experiences do people have? We encourage you to read past retreats’ schedules for a sense of what our programming is like — and here is what some of our program participants have said:

“I have drifted in and out of Yiddishkeit for many, many years. The retreat gave me something that I can’t get regularly – that is the intersection of my Jewish and queer self.” - C.S., 50 (male)

It has been painful for me to ignore Jewish religion (not identity, which I always have continued with) due to conflict with LGBT identity – I would like to connect again with religiousity after this weekend. - E.S., 46 (female)

Nehirim has been an amazing experience for me. I’ve learned so much about myself and others – the diversity of our community, the beauty of our community, and the LOVE of our community. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. - A.L., 19 (male)

“On the way back, I cried tears of joy and sadness. Sadness because I had to part from new-found friends and joy because of the new things, feelings, friends and souls that I met and touched. I’ve changed and I can’t express all my gratitude to G-d and to those that I met on this leg of my life’s journey.”
- Cathy D., 51 (transgendered woman)

“This was a powerful weekend. I feel that in being with other queer Jews I get to see myself in a new way. Somehow, the self-criticism seems to recede. Seeing the good in others helps me to see it in my self. Although very challenging at times, I felt very nourished spiritually. And I feel that I made good connections personally”
- David K., 41

” For me, I have been an out lesbian for 10 years, and I thought that my journey was pretty wrapped up; without being conscious of it, I had concluded years ago that I needed to leave my Judaism behind in order to be an out lesbian. In recent months (with Jay’s help!) I’ve learned that I can find myself in the tradition, reclaim my faith, and find others like me struggling with similar issues.
- Sarah, 30 (student scholarship recipient)

“This is a pinnacle event in the year for me, and it will continue to be one for years to come, G-d willing. I’m grateful for the sponsorship I received because without it I wouldn’t have been able to attend a retreat that will heavily influence my Jewish identity and practice for as far as the eye can see.”
- Paul, 24 (student scholarship recipient)

“I never attended any retreats before, but this one was very welcoming.”
- Israel, 54 (orthodox)

“Nehirim provides me with an annual opportunity to meet, learn with, and celebrate with other queer Jew, in a supportive, caring, and inspiring environment. This is an invaluable service to me as a Jew, a queer person, and a human being.”
- Jill, 36

“Aside from feeling somewhat out-of-place during the prayers and services (I’m very secular and don’t know Hebrew) it was a wonderful experience. It helped me get in touch with my oft-neglected spiritual side.”
- R.A., 26, (male)

“Fabulous weekend – I’m becoming more observant, and I was very excited to have a queer space in which to start delving deeper into the practices I haven’t used in years and learning the practices which are new to me. Thank you all for creating this amazing and necessary space. I’m going back to my community refreshed and energized, and I can’t wait to share everything I learned!” - P.L., 30, female

“Nehirim is the only place that brings together all 3 of my separate worlds of being gay, Jewish & spiritual.”
- Neal, 65

“I feel that the retreat touched a very deep place. Having just experienced a personal loss, I found the community, the exercises, and the prayers to be very renewing and comforting.”
- Daniel, 43

“I left Nehirim yesterday grinning from ear to ear and chanting an Israeli folk song to myself in my car. I had to laugh at myself for being so ridiculous. But I felt rejuventated. It seems silly to say, since I will likely not see the other participants for another year, that I had found community, but I had. I realized that other Jewish gay people were out there, and also felt strongly about finding others! I feel inspired to do something with all of it. Burlington, Vermont has an active gay population, and an active Jewish population. There has to be some overlap. I feel fired up about trying to at least get a discussion group going in my area, if not a chapter of Keshet or Nehirim. Schedules and lives are busy, but hopefully, I can make it happen!”
- Sarah, 30 (student scholarship recipient)

And a few anonymous comments: “I was surprised by how vulnerable this retreat made me feel - a vulnerability that allowed for real growth and reflection.”

“The retreat helped me take critical “next steps” in my spiritual and personal life.”

“The retreat provided a safe space to love myself and others, as Jewish and as queer.”

“Nehirim exceeded my expectations. The variety in services and programming allowed multiple paths to the holy. Thank you so much for creating a safe, nourishing space. I can’t imagine a better Shabbat (except next year’s Nehirim)!”

“I immediately sank into a state of relaxation, bliss and connectedness. The retreat gave me ample opportunity to remain in that state.”

“I seek moments of spiritual connection, which I found not only in our services, but in many other interactions – night journeying with Jill and Shoshana, prayer dancing with Nachum, the light in the eyes and the glow in the smiles of so many others, as they felt the joy of being here.”

“This retreat has been a wonderful experience for me to spend quality time with a community that I love and people that I want to know better.”