FAQs

for the Summer Intensive 2024

  • We only ask that you learn the Hebrew alphabet to the extent that you are able to recognise the shapes of the letters and what sounds they make. To start teaching yourself the alphabet, we recommend Aleph Isn't Tough by Linda Motzkin.

  • You need to be over the age of 18 years to come to the summer intensive. There is no upper age limit, on our last summer intensive our community ranged in age from 18 to 77.

  • Of course. No matter where you are on your Jewish journey, you will be welcome.

  • Yes. Our philosophy is to accept everyone as who they are. We are here to celebrate identities, not police them.

  • Yes! We don’t presume any prior knowledge of Judaism. Whatever you know about Judaism, this can be a space for you.

  • The summer intensive will take place in the Lake District.

  • You can drive and park on site, take the train or get a coach organised by the Queer Yeshiva from London.

  • Most participants will be staying in dormitories of between 4 and 10 people. We have a small number of single rooms available for people who need to stay in their own room to be able to come. If you are coming with people you know, you can ask to share a room with them.

  • We ask that everyone attends for the full duration of the summer intensive. However, if there is a reason you wouldn’t be able to come until the Monday, please email logistics@yeshiva.lgbt to discuss.

  • The standard cost is £420 per person and there are scholarships available, as well as the option to pay in installments. Our guidelines are that scholarships are for people who fit at least one of the following criteria:

    • You are in receipt of income-related benefits, e.g. Universal Credit

    • You are out of work or earn at or below the real living wage at full time equivalent (£21,255 outside London / £23,302 inside London) and your income is not topped up by family members in any significant way

    • You would be worried about how to afford necessities if you had to pay the full price to attend

    If the above does not apply, we may still award scholarships at our discretion, please email logistics@yeshiva.lgbt to discuss.

  • Yes! Many members of our community have come to the summer intensive not knowing anybody beforehand. There will be lots of opportunities to meet new people and socialise.

  • At the Queer Yeshiva, we offer an optional morning and evening service each day led by our lay leaders. All prayer services are optional and each is likely to be slightly different in style. Most are very musical and do not necessarily include all of the traditional liturgy. We are aware many people are praying communally for the first time at the Queer Yeshiva and aim for our prayer services to be accessible to all.

  • Each day is slightly different on the Summer Intensive. Most of the day is spent in classes studying Talmud, with plenty of breaks and time in paired learning. There are also afternoon and evening sessions which include a variety of activities such as singing workshops, Hebrew grammar, countryside walks and crafting. You can take personal downtime whenever you like in the schedule.

  • Please see here for more information on accessibility.