Question 1

Who is Chavaya for?

Accepted Answer

Chavaya is a Jewish space intentionally created for members of the Jewish community to gather, celebrate, and reconnect with land, culture, and each other.

We welcome Jews of all backgrounds, including Jews by birth, Jews by choice, Jews by descent reconnecting with their roots, and those who feel Jewish-adjacent and are exploring their relationship to Jewish identity. Loved ones and family members who are not Jewish are also welcome. We are an LGBTQ and BIPOC friendly event, our community and many of our team members reflect these identities and Chavaya is constructed with you in mind.

Chavaya is a multi-generational gathering, and we are excited to welcome people of all ages. Children and elders are an important part of Jewish community life, and kids 12 and under attend for free so families can join us with greater ease.

Our intention is to create a space where Jewish people can feel safe, joyful, and fully themselves while celebrating the many ways Jewish identity is expressed. Jewish people across political ideologies and beliefs are welcome as Chavaya is a space intended to hold the entire Jewish family. Anyone who resonates with Chavaya’s vision of community, land connection, music, and Jewish cultural expression is invited to join us in co-creating the spirit of the festival together.

Question 2

What is your approach to Shabbat?

Accepted Answer

Shabbat is a central and sacred part of Chavaya, just as it is for Jews around the world. It is the most elevated and intentional period of our gathering, a time when we deepen our connection to one another, to the land, and to the Divine spark within and between us.

In Jewish tradition, Shabbat invites us to pause from ordinary time and enter sacred time, to rest, gather, sing, pray, learn, and be present with one another. From Friday at sunset through Saturday evening, we will mark Shabbat together through community rituals, music, prayer, learning, and shared meals.

At the same time, we recognize that Jewish communities practice Shabbat in many different ways. Each person arrives at Chavaya with their own relationship to Shabbat, shaped by their lineage, community, and personal practice. Our intention is to honor that diversity as fully as possible while creating a meaningful collective experience.

Like other Jewish spiritual gatherings, including the approach modeled by MANNA Festival, we seek to cultivate a shared sense of “Shabbat consciousness”- a collective orientation toward rest, presence, and sacred connection.
Some practical details about Shabbat at Chavaya:
We will be using amplification and playing musical instruments during Shabbat programming.
There will not be an eruv on site.
Participants will be in community with people whose Shabbat practices may differ from their own.

If this diversity of practice aligns with what you need, we warmly invite you to join us.

As a community, we are also exploring creative ways to mark Shabbat as distinct from the rest of the week and cultivate kedusha (holiness) together. This may include things like reducing cell phone use, prioritizing face-to-face connection, slowing down our pace, and creating spaces for reflection, prayer, music, learning, and rest.

Our hope is that Shabbat at Chavaya becomes a shared container for presence, joy, spiritual renewal, and deep community connection.

Question 3

Differing and Disagreement with Dignity

Accepted Answer

At Chavaya, we recognize that we are living in a time of deep complexity, pain, and difference across the Jewish world. We do not ignore these realities. At the same time, Chavaya is intentionally created as a space where Jews of many backgrounds, identities, and political perspectives can find a sense of home.

We are committed to the value of showing up together across differences, rooted in a long tradition of Jewish communities holding multiple truths at once. This gathering invites participants to engage one another with curiosity, respect, and care.

There will be space to acknowledge and process grief, as well as opportunities for thoughtful dialogue grounded in compassion, presence, and mutual respect. While participants may hold a wide range of perspectives, calls for violence, dehumanization, or harm toward any people are not aligned with the values of this gathering and will not be supported in this space.

Our hope is to cultivate an environment where people feel supported in bringing their full selves, while contributing to a shared culture of dignity, listening, and connection.

Question 4

Accommodations / Camping

Accepted Answer

There is no built infrastructure on the land —everything at the festival is bring‑your‑own. This is a phenomenal property with a huge camping field (about a mile long), so the festival is primarily a camping experience.
There are some local Airbnbs in the area, but we strongly encourage people not to drive on and off site, as this is designed to be an immersive camping festival. Bring all of the camping gear you need to be comfortable.

Camping location: you’ll be no more than a ~1–5 minute walk at most from the main festival area.
Facilities: porta‑potties will be provided both in the camping area and on the festival grounds
Parking: you are welcome to drive — there is plenty of parking on the land. Car camping is available, and you are welcome to park your vehicle next to your campsite.
Camping layout: camping will be fairly spread out and somewhat separate from the main festival area.

Question 5

What is your plan for safety and security?

Accepted Answer

The safety and peace of mind of everyone attending Chavaya is one of our highest priorities. We want this gathering to be a place where Jewish people can relax, celebrate, and be fully present together in community.

To support this, we have developed a multi-layered safety and security plan in consultation with a professional security advisor. This plan includes round-the-clock professional security on site, a manual ticket review process, and keeping the exact festival location private, with the address shared only with confirmed ticket holders.

Our intention is to create a space where all Jews feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for, while maintaining a thoughtful level of protection for the community. Chavaya is about joy, connection, and Jewish cultural expression, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that everyone can gather safely and have a meaningful and peaceful experience.

Question 6

What is your plan for medical support and harm reduction?

Accepted Answer

At Chavaya, the health and well-being of our participants is a top priority. We will have trained medical staff and volunteers on site to provide care for any medical needs that arise, from minor injuries to more serious situations.

We are also committed to harm reduction practices, creating a supportive environment where people can make safer choices and access help if they need it. Our team is here to support both physical and emotional well-being, so everyone can feel cared for, seen, and able to fully engage in the festival experience.

Question 7

What’s Included in a ticket?

Accepted Answer

Your ticket gives you full access to the entire festival, including:
Full Weekend Access: Thursday through Sunday.
All Activities & Workshops: Every scheduled event, workshop, and interactive session.
Shabbat Experience: All Shabbat services, meals, and special experiences included in the festival schedule.
Camping & Festival Grounds: Access to all camping areas, festival stages, and communal spaces.
Festival Amenities: Porta‑potties, community kitchen with basic amenities, basic campsite setup area, and general festival facilities.
Participation in Special Events: Any planned group activities, performances, or evening gatherings.
Parking

Question 8

What will food be like?

Accepted Answer

Food is an important part of any gathering, and we encourage participants to come prepared with the meals, snacks, and supplies they'll want throughout the weekend.We'll have a selection of food vendors on-site throughout the weekend offering a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages for purchase. In addition, Chavaya will provide a community Shabbat dinner on Friday evening and a communal Shabbat lunch on Saturday afternoon, creating opportunities to gather and celebrate together.
To support communal cooking and meal preparation, Chavaya will provide a Community Kitchen equipped with stoves, an oven, dishwashing stations, and basic cooking supplies such as pots, pans, utensils, and common spices. Whether you're preparing meals with friends, sharing food with neighbors, or making a morning cup of coffee, we hope the kitchen becomes another place for connection and community throughout the weekend.

Question 9

Media

Accepted Answer

There will be a media team, photographers, and videographers at the festival.

By purchasing a ticket, you agree you may be photographed or filmed.

Question 10

What if I am interested in supporting Chavaya in other ways?

Accepted Answer

We welcome support in many forms, whether as a sponsor, partner, individual donor, or through contributions of time, resources, or in-kind support. If you’re interested in helping Chavaya thrive, we’d love to hear from you and explore ways to collaborate.

Chavaya is fiscally sponsored by Temple Beth Am in Seattle, so all donations are tax-deductible. You can also explore our sponsorship tiers here to see opportunities for partnership and impact.

SPONSORSHIP TIERS SHEET

Question 11

What should I bring (or not)?

Accepted Answer

Pets are contractually not allowed on the property for liability reasons. If you have a service animal, please reach out separately at chavayafestival@gmail.com.

Food
Food and snacks for the weekend, food vendors may be available on site as well. See above food section.
Your own plate, bowl mug, and utensils
Each person needs to provide all of their own water for the weekend. Each person should plan to bring 1.5 gallons of water or more per person per day for drinking, cooking, hygiene, etc.

Suggested personal and camping gear:
Tent, stakes, sleeping pad and sleeping bag
Warm clothing, warm jacket, fun clothing, WHITE to wear on Shabbat, bathing suit
Towel
Stove, dishes, utensils, cookware
Toiletries such as: medications, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit
Camping essentials: headlamp, day pack, trash bag to pack out personal garbage
Sun protection: sunglasses, hat, sunscreen

Optional items:
Journal
Yoga mat
Camping chair
Camping shower (no shower facilities are available onsite. Bring your own water for your personal shower)
Instruments
Costumes
White clothing for Shabbat
Songs, poems and offerings to share around the fire

What not to bring:
Pets
Firearms or weapons of any kind

Question 12

What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

At Chavaya, we strive to make every event a memorable experience. Please read our refund and ticket transfer policy carefully before making a purchase.
No Full Refunds

All ticket sales are final, and we do not provide full refunds under any circumstances.
Partial Refunds

Partial refunds may be requested up to 6 weeks prior to the event date. Requests made after this period will not be eligible for any refund.

Resale of Tickets

Tickets may be resold to other attendees. For convenience and visibility, we encourage ticket holders to post resale offers on our Chavaya Facebook page.

Contact:

For partial refund requests or questions about ticket resale, please contact us at chavayafestival@gmail.com

Question 13

Accessibility

Accepted Answer

We want Chavaya to be a welcoming space for everyone, and we are working to make the festival as accessible as possible. Although the land is not fully set up for people with limited mobility, such as wheelchair users, we have accommodated wheelchairs on this land before.

Main walkways will be lit at night, but we also recommend bringing a headlamp for extra visibility. We will provide quiet zones and areas with lower sensory input for anyone who needs them.

For dietary needs, we are working to confirm food vendors that can offer kosher, gluten-free, and/ or vegan options to support diverse food preferences and requirements.

We are committed to learning and improving each year to make Chavaya a safe, comfortable, and inclusive space for all attendees.

We want to make this festival as accessible for individuals as possible, so please do not hesitate to reach out to inquire how we can best support your attendance.

Question 14

What is parking like?

Accepted Answer

You are welcome to drive. There is plenty of parking on the land. Car camping is available and does not cost extra, and you are welcome to park your vehicle next to your campsite.

Question 15

Is public transportation an option from Seattle airport?

Accepted Answer

If you’re traveling from Seattle, WA, USA to Duvall, WA, here are the typical public transit options:
🚌 Bus + Transit (No Direct Route):
There is no direct public transit from Seattle to Duvall — you’ll need to take at least two Sound Transit / Metro bus connections.
A common route is:
From Seattle downtown, take Sound Transit Bus 545 toward Redmond.
At Redmond Transit Center, transfer to King County Metro Bus 224 toward Duvall.
Total travel time by this method is usually ~2 to 2½ hours (one way) with transfers.
Typical transit cost (not including local passes) is around $6–$7 USD for the combined bus journey.
🚌 Local Duvall Transit:
King County Metro Transit Route 224 (Dial‑A‑Ride Transit) provides service between Duvall and Redmond.
Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) buses run up and down the valley — including service through Duvall — but these are local shuttles and not direct Seattle commuter buses.
🚗 Other Options:
Rideshare services (e.g., Uber or Lyft) are available in Duvall but pickup times may be longer than in larger cities (and fares vary widely).

FAQ