[Hannukkah on the mountains]
[2025 FIRST ANNUAL MEMBER CONFERENCE]
THE KESHET ACTIVIST ACCADEMY 2025
When?
18-23 December 2025
When?
18-23 December 2025
When?
18-23 December 2025
Where?
Poland
Where?
Poland
Where?
Poland
For Who?
<35 yo Jewish Queer individuals & Allies
For Who?
<35 yo Jewish Queer individuals & Allies
For Who?
<35 yo Jewish Queer individuals & Allies
[About]
The Making of Our Event
[About]
The Making of Our Event
[About]
The Making of Our Event
01
Goal and Mission
This Hanukkah, Keshet Europe will gather in the Polish mountains for a unique retreat. Thirty participants will come together under one roof, in a villa surrounded by snow and light, to celebrate, connect, and imagine new possibilities for our communities.
01
Goal and Mission
Keshet Europe wants to be the space where Queer Jewish organisations and individuals across Europe connect to strengthen voices, activism, and contribute to capacity-building activities for Jewish LGBTQIA+ individuals, while fostering the community's experience and offering opportunities to connect.
01
Goal and Mission
This Hanukkah, Keshet Europe will gather in the Polish mountains for a unique retreat. Thirty participants will come together under one roof, in a villa surrounded by snow and light, to celebrate, connect, and imagine new possibilities for our communities.
02
The Concept
Our Hanukkah retreat is not only about celebration — it is also about dialogue and creativity. Inspired by the style of Model United Nations simulations, participants will step into the roles of Keshet Europe’s partners: Jewish communities, queer organizations, and allies across Europe. Together, we will explore how these different voices can interact, challenge each other, and build bridges.
02
The Concept
Our Hanukkah retreat is not only about celebration — it is also about dialogue and creativity. Inspired by the style of Model United Nations simulations, participants will step into the roles of Keshet Europe’s partners: Jewish communities, queer organizations, and allies across Europe. Together, we will explore how these different voices can interact, challenge each other, and build bridges.
02
The Concept
Our Hanukkah retreat is not only about celebration — it is also about dialogue and creativity. Inspired by the style of Model United Nations simulations, participants will step into the roles of Keshet Europe’s partners: Jewish communities, queer organizations, and allies across Europe. Together, we will explore how these different voices can interact, challenge each other, and build bridges.
03
The Experience
Over several days, the villa will become a space of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Through workshops, role-play, and shared rituals, we will light the Hanukkah candles while also illuminating the intersections of Jewish and queer life in Europe. With thirty participants embodying the diversity of our networks, this retreat is both a laboratory for ideas and a celebration of resilience and community.
03
The Experience
The event will focus on increasing visibility for Jewish Queer individuals at one of Europe’s most important Pride, the Roma Pride. Jewish Queer identities will be presented proudly, with strong support from European Queer organizations, reinforcing solidarity and enhancing their presence within the broader Queer movement.
03
The Experience
Over several days, the villa will become a space of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Through workshops, role-play, and shared rituals, we will light the Hanukkah candles while also illuminating the intersections of Jewish and queer life in Europe. With thirty participants embodying the diversity of our networks, this retreat is both a laboratory for ideas and a celebration of resilience and community.
OUR SPONSORS
OUR PARTNERS IN INNOVATION
OUR SPONSORS
OUR PARTNERS IN INNOVATION
[Partners]
Partners in Innovation
Meet the sponsors fueling our event and helping us create an extraordinary experience.
[Partners]
Partners in Innovation
Meet the sponsors fueling our event and helping us create an extraordinary experience.
[Moments]
Our Event Essentials
[Moments]
Our Event Essentials
[Moments]
Our Event Essentials
Key Features
Live and Learn Together
Spend six days in a mountain villa in Poland with 30 peers — sharing meals, lighting Hanukkah candles, and creating an immersive community experience.
Live and Learn Together
Spend six days in a mountain villa in Poland with 30 peers — sharing meals, lighting Hanukkah candles, and creating an immersive community experience.
Live and Learn Together
Spend six days in a mountain villa in Poland with 30 peers — sharing meals, lighting Hanukkah candles, and creating an immersive community experience.
Step Into New Roles
Take part in a creative simulation inspired by the Model UN: instead of countries, represent the voices of Jewish communities, queer organizations, and Keshet Europe’s partners.
Step Into New Roles
Take part in a creative simulation inspired by the Model UN: instead of countries, represent the voices of Jewish communities, queer organizations, and Keshet Europe’s partners.
Step Into New Roles
Take part in a creative simulation inspired by the Model UN: instead of countries, represent the voices of Jewish communities, queer organizations, and Keshet Europe’s partners.
Celebrate and Imagine
Celebrate Hanukkah while reimagining the future of Jewish and queer life in Europe — through rituals, dialogue, and collective vision-building.
Celebrate and Imagine
Celebrate Hanukkah while reimagining the future of Jewish and queer life in Europe — through rituals, dialogue, and collective vision-building.
Celebrate and Imagine
Celebrate Hanukkah while reimagining the future of Jewish and queer life in Europe — through rituals, dialogue, and collective vision-building.
20
Chosen Participants
20
Chosen Participants
20
Chosen Participants
6
Days of Retreat
6
Days of Retreat
6
Days of Retreat
8
Hanukkah candles lit together
8
Hanukkah candles lit together
8
Hanukkah candles lit together
[THE RETREAT]
The location
We can’t spoil everything about the location just yet — for security reasons — but here’s a little sneak peek!
[THE RETREAT]
The location
We can’t spoil everything about the location just yet — for security reasons — but here’s a little sneak peek!
[THE RETREAT]
The location
We can’t spoil everything about the location just yet — for security reasons — but here’s a little sneak peek!
Hanukkah by the Lake
30 Queer Jews, 1 villa, and zero awkward questions from your aunt — sounds like a miracle already.
Picture thirty queer Jews gathered in a villa on the lake, lighting Hanukkah candles together as snow falls outside. With an indoor pool, jacuzzi, two saunas, barbeque and bonfire, the Villa is the perfect place to combine tradition, joy, and relaxation in a uniquely Jewish Queer space
Hanukkah by the Lake
30 Queer Jews, 1 villa, and zero awkward questions from your aunt — sounds like a miracle already.
Picture thirty queer Jews gathered in a villa on the lake, lighting Hanukkah candles together as snow falls outside. With an indoor pool, jacuzzi, two saunas, barbeque and bonfire, the Villa is the perfect place to combine tradition, joy, and relaxation in a uniquely Jewish Queer space
Hanukkah by the Lake
30 Queer Jews, 1 villa, and zero awkward questions from your aunt — sounds like a miracle already.
Picture thirty queer Jews gathered in a villa on the lake, lighting Hanukkah candles together as snow falls outside. With an indoor pool, jacuzzi, two saunas, barbeque and bonfire, the Villa is the perfect place to combine tradition, joy, and relaxation in a uniquely Jewish Queer space
A Queer Jewish Retreat Home
Keshet Europe Academy: training the next queer Jewish leaders… one pool party at a time.
This villa will be our home for Hanukkah: sharing meals in a spacious dining room, relaxing in cozy common areas, celebrating with a pool party, a barbecue and a bonfire night. Every space is designed to bring us closer as a community and make Hanukkah shine brighter.
A Queer Jewish Retreat Home
Keshet Europe Academy: training the next queer Jewish leaders… one pool party at a time.
This villa will be our home for Hanukkah: sharing meals in a spacious dining room, relaxing in cozy common areas, celebrating with a pool party, a barbecue and a bonfire night. Every space is designed to bring us closer as a community and make Hanukkah shine brighter.
A Queer Jewish Retreat Home
Keshet Europe Academy: training the next queer Jewish leaders… one pool party at a time.
This villa will be our home for Hanukkah: sharing meals in a spacious dining room, relaxing in cozy common areas, celebrating with a pool party, a barbecue and a bonfire night. Every space is designed to bring us closer as a community and make Hanukkah shine brighter.
Workshops by day, dance floor by night — the Maccabees would be proud.
Treasurer
From workshops and the role-play simulation to nights of candle lighting and celebration, the villa offers the perfect setting. With wellness spaces, an indoor pool, and room for thirty people to live together, it’s a true home for queer Jewish community life during Hanukkah.
Workshops by day, dance floor by night — the Maccabees would be proud.
Treasurer
From workshops and the role-play simulation to nights of candle lighting and celebration, the villa offers the perfect setting. With wellness spaces, an indoor pool, and room for thirty people to live together, it’s a true home for queer Jewish community life during Hanukkah.
Workshops by day, dance floor by night — the Maccabees would be proud.
Treasurer
From workshops and the role-play simulation to nights of candle lighting and celebration, the villa offers the perfect setting. With wellness spaces, an indoor pool, and room for thirty people to live together, it’s a true home for queer Jewish community life during Hanukkah.
[FAQ]
Questions Answered
Get clear answers to common queries and find the info you need for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
[FAQ]
Questions Answered
Get clear answers to common queries and find the info you need for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
[FAQ]
Questions Answered
Get clear answers to common queries and find the info you need for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
WHO CAN ATTEND THE retreat?
what does the price include?
Will there be on-site registration?
What is the cancellation policy?
how do I request financial support to attend the event
How do I secure my place for this event?
WHO CAN ATTEND THE retreat?
what does the price include?
Will there be on-site registration?
What is the cancellation policy?
how do I request financial support to attend the event
How do I secure my place for this event?
WHO CAN ATTEND THE retreat?
what does the price include?
Will there be on-site registration?
What is the cancellation policy?
how do I request financial support to attend the event
How do I secure my place for this event?
[Contact Us]
Connect With Us
Have Questions? Get In Touch!
