Queer Talmud Day Camp

Thanks to the support and guidance of our community, Justice & Equity Committee, and QTC Advisory Committee, we are overjoyed to be convening both in-person and virtually for camp this summer.

Save the dates!

June 23-27: Pearlstone Retreat Center | Baltimore, Maryland
July 7-11: Walker Creek Ranch | Petaluma, California
QTC Online | Virtual

At Queer Talmud Camp we build a vibrant learning space that celebrates queer culture, cultivates intergenerational relationships, and reveals the deeply rooted radical queerness of the Jewish tradition.

A group of SVARA-niks stand together in a circle outdoors, with tall evergreen trees behind them.

The planning of Queer Talmud Camp 2024 centers disabled, chronically ill, and at-risk folks in our community. The COVID-19 Safety Protocols below were created with guidance from our Justice & Equity Committee as well as our Camp Access Committee, and will help us build a safe gathering space for all SVARA-niks.

COVID-19 Policies: Before arriving to Queer Talmud Camp

Due to the nature of Queer Talmud Camp’s communal living environment (where participants may sleep inside a shared cabin/room together) and the potential for the spread of communicable disease within our close community, we have established the following guidelines with the intent of maintaining a COVID-free environment:

Testing

Required PCR Tests: All participants & Staff are required to get a PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival at QTC. We recommend locating a test facility that will provide results within about 48 hours (please confirm with the provider as turnaround times can fluctuate). Please note, SVARA will not be mailing at-home test kits. Participants and staff are required to show proof of a negative test result upon arrival.

Two chevrutas hold hands across the table in the bet midrash. The person on the left has brown hair and is wearing a mustard yellow sweater. The person on the right has blonde hair and is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt. They smile tenderly at each other.

Activity restrictions

In the seven days before arriving at QTC, we ask all participants, staff, and their covid safe household to always mask (N-95, KN-95, or KF-94, FFP-2) when indoors with people outside of their household and follow two out of three (2/3) rule.

Ten people sit at a table in the bet midrash. Everyone appears to be in lively conversation, with some folks looking towards the text in front of them while others look at their chevruta across the table.

COVID-19 Policies: During Queer Talmud Camp

Due to the nature of Queer Talmud Camp’s communal living environment (where participants may sleep inside a shared cabin/room together) and the potential for the spread of communicable disease within our close community, we have established the following guidelines with the intent of maintaining a COVID-free environment:

Testing

All participants will take daily rapid tests provided by SVARA. 

Two chevrutas hold hands across the table in the bet midrash. The person on the left has brown hair and is wearing a mustard yellow sweater. The person on the right has blonde hair and is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt. They smile tenderly at each other.

If you have any questions about SVARA’s COVID-19 policies, please reach out to [email protected].

Masks

  • When in shared close quarters, we will ask all participants to wear masks. 
  • During singing we ask participants to be masked.
  • Retreat attendees are requested to wear N95, KN95, FFP2 masks. (SVARA will ensure that extra N95 masks are available for those who need them.)
Ten people sit at a table in the bet midrash. Everyone appears to be in lively conversation, with some folks looking towards the text in front of them while others look at their chevruta across the table.

Camp Lodging

  • Single occupancy rooms will be prioritized for those who are the most vulnerable and/or at risk from serious disease brought on by contracting COVID-19.
A group of people sit around a table in the bet midrash. Folks appear to be clapping up a person in the middle of the frame, who smiles and glances down at the volume of Talmud in front of them. Everyone is smiling and glancing towards the person in the center.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

  • SVARA will provide & refill unscented soap and hand sanitizer throughout the retreat campus for the duration of QTC.
  • SVARA will create and post reminders regarding handwashing practices above all sinks, in batei midrash, and activity rooms, dining hall entrance.
  • SVARA will make regular announcements to encourage our community to practice frequent hand washing.
A group of people sit around a table in the bet midrash. Folks appear to be clapping up a person in the middle of the frame, who smiles and glances down at the volume of Talmud in front of them. Everyone is smiling and glancing towards the person in the center.

Consent

  • We will create and implement a shared system to help folks indicate what forms of contact they consent to in that moment that can change depending on the moment.

Registration for Queer Talmud Camp 2024 opens in March. Check back soon for more info!

Wanna witness the magic of Queer Talmud Camp? Check out these videos from previous QTCs!