The Luxurious Hyatt Regency Old Greenwich, CT. August 11 16, ywxa, 'ct ojbn uwf-twf. Program

Transcription

1 The Luxurious Hyatt Regency Old Greenwich, CT August 11 16, 2009 ywxa, 'ct ojbn uwf-twf Program

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3 Welcome to the Welcome S halom and welcome to the Fourth National Jewish Retreat! Our exceptional faculty is drawn from all across the country in order to bring you the best in Jewish teaching and learning. We know that people come to a retreat for different reasons and we want to make it easy for you to create the perfect experience. That's why we've classified our sessions this year in ways that let you nurture yourself in a variety of ways. We've tagged sessions that are designed to feed your mind with a brain icon. Some of these sessions are text based; others explore modern applications of Jewish law. But all of them are designed to stretch your thinking in creative and exciting ways. Sessions designed to stir your emotions have a heart icon. These will make you laugh and cry, ignite your soul and move your spirit. They're about prayer, repentance, love and loss. And we will provide the human wisdom and compassion that helps you to make sense of your inner world. The practical and hands-on sessions have a hand icon. These are the how-tos of Jewish life: making challah, seeing how a mezuzah is written or learning about the daily prayers. These sessions will provide you with skills and information that you can take home. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 3

4 Welcome Finally, we've tagged sessions on personal interaction with an ear. Share your challenges in trying to increase your Jewish involvement. Sing and dance together at a concert. Spend an evening talking with one of our scholars. Share your experiences and build new friendships. We hope you will enjoy the outstanding range of learning provided by this year s retreat. And if there is something you would like to study that is not represented here, please be sure to let us know. We are often able to arrange private sessions with faculty members on the study topic of your choice. For added security, please wear your nametags at all times. Please also note that free shuttle vans are available from the hotel to the local Greenwich shops and attractions throughout the day. Rabbi Yoni Katz Director Rabbi Hesh Epstein Chairman 4 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

5 Faculty Faculty Mr. Bruce Backman Senior Research Analyst, Fox News Retreat Coordinator, National Jewish Retreat Former Aide, NY Governor George Pataki Mr. Zvi Bielsky Son of resistance hero, Zus Bielsky, recently featured in the movie Defiance. Rabbi Chaim Block Director, Chabad Lubavitch of South Texas Executive Committee Member, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Rabbi Moshe Bryski Director, Chabad of the Conejo (Agoura Hills, CA) Founder, Conejo Jewish Academy Rabbi Asher Crispe Chief Technology Officer, Link Capital Group Director, Institute for Jewish Thought and Culture Doctoral Student of Philosophy of Religion, New York University Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Editor, TheJewishWoman.org Former Director, Institute for Advanced Learning for Jewish Women (Jerusalem) Author, Lecturer Rabbi Shalom Deitsch Director, Chabad-Lubavitch of Northern Virginia Rabbi Yisrael Deren Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Connecticut Mrs. Shifra Aviva Deren Co-Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Connecticut Rabbi Yosef Deren Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich, CT Mrs. Maryasha Deren Co-Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich, CT Rabbi Dov Drizin Director, Valley Chabad Outreach Center (Woodcliff Lake, NJ) Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie Director, Chabad of North County (Orange County, CA) Board Member, Renaissance and Renewal Pillar of the United Jewish Communities Member, Advisory Board, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 5

6 Faculty Mrs. Stella Eliezrie Co-Director, Chabad of North County (Orange County, CA) Mrs. Chana Epstein Lecturer, Mentor Mrs. Chavi Epstein Co-Director, Chabad Lubavitch of South Carolina Lecturer, Musician Rabbi Hesh Epstein Director, Chabad Lubavitch of South Carolina Chairman, JLI Executive Committee Chairman, The National Jewish Retreat Executive Director, Columbia Jewish Day School Rabbi Ronnie Fine Director, Chabad of Queen Mary (Montreal, QC) Rabbi Manis Friedman Dean, Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies Host, Torah Forum with Manis Friedman Author, Lecturer, Social Commentator Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum Director, The Living Legacy, Chabad of Paramus (NJ) Co-Director, Friendship Circle of Bergen County (NJ) Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Rabbi, Congregation Bais Shmuel (Brooklyn, NY) Author, Essayist, Lecturer Rabbi Yoel Kahn Senior Chabad Mentor, Teacher, Editor Editor, Encyclopedia of Chassidic Philosophy Rabbi Levi Kaplan Director, JLI Advanced Learning Initiative and worldwide Unity Lectures Teacher, Cantor, Lecturer Rabbi Yoni Katz Director, JLI National Jewish Retreat Director, JLI Israel Mission JLI Director of Operations Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky Vice Chairman, Merkos-Lubavitch World Headquarters Chairman, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Director, International Conference of Shluchim 6 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

7 Faculty Mrs. Rivkah Kotlarsky Teacher, Beth Rivkah High School (Brooklyn, NY) Lecturer, Chabad of the Five Towns (NY) Mentor Senator Joseph Lieberman United States Senator (CT) Chairman, US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Former US Vice-Presidential Candidate Rabbi Nissan Mangel Philosopher, Author, Lecturer Authority on Kabbalah, Chabad Chassidus, the Holocaust (survivor) and Jewish Jurisprudence Rabbi Efraim Mintz Director, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Mrs. Shaina B. Mintz Camp Director, National Jewish Retreat Faculty Member, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Mr. Michoel Muchnik Chassidic Artist and Illustrator Rabbi Yona Reiss Dean, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University Former Director, Beth Din of America Mrs. Molly Resnick Founder and Director, MATCKH (Mothers Against Teaching Children to Kill and Hate) Former News and Documentary Producer for NBC, PBS and Israel TV Mr. George Rohr President, New Century Holdings Chairman, The Rohr Family Foundation Principal Benefactor, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum Principal, Lubavitch Yeshiva Boys High School (Pittsburgh, PA) Author, Gemara Berura curriculum Professor Jonathan Sarna Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University Director, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, Brandeis University Chief Historian, National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia) THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 7

8 Faculty Professor Lawrence Schiffman Edelman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University Chairman, Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet Rabbi, Congregation Beth Joseph (Toronto) Professor Emeritus, Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Humber College Author, Lecturer, Visiting Professor Dr. Stephen Serbin Family Practitioner (Columbia, SC) Chairman, National Jewish Retreat Lay Committee Rabbi Mordechai Shain Director, Lubavitch of the Palisades (NJ) Rabbi Yehudah Shemtov Director, Lubavitch of Bucks County (PA) Chef Jack Silberstein Chef, Restaurant Consultant, Kosher Caterer, Cooking Instructor Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Co-Director, Chabad House at Binghamton University (NY) Author, Lecturer Rabbi Avrohom Sternberg Director, Chabad of Eastern Connecticut Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Chesed (New London, CT) Executive Committee Member, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute Rabbi Tuvia Teldon Director, Chabad of Mid-Suffolk (Long Island, NY) Mrs. Chaya Teldon Co-Director, Chabad of Mid-Suffolk (Long Island, NY) Co-Director, Friendship Circle of Suffolk County (Long Island, NY) Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Founder and Director, Omek Learning Center for Women Corporate Trainer, Lecturer, Mentor Mr. Shimon Waronker Former Principal, Jordan L. Mott Junior High School (Bronx, NY) Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education Mr. Marc Weiner Comedian, Puppeteer, Creator, Producer Creator and Former Host, Weinerville (MTV ) 8 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

9 Faculty Rabbi Simcha Weinstein Director, Chabad of Clinton Hill and Pratt University (NY) Author Rabbi Zalman Wolowik Director, Chabad of the Five Towns (Long Island, NY) Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe Dean, Institute of American and Talmudic Law Scholar-in-Residence, Chabad of Harvard (MA) Staff Administration Baruch Cohen Brooklyn, NY Rabbi Yitzchok Dubov Brooklyn, NY Mrs. Deena Dubov Brooklyn, NY Rabbi Avremi Epstein Columbia, SC Levi Epstein Columbia, SC Baruch Ezagui Brooklyn, NY Mrs. Shaina Fine Brooklyn, NY Camp Staff Mushkie Gansburg Mushka Greene Rochel Karp Esther Leah Flinkenstein Willmete, IL Chaya Friedman Brooklyn, NY Rabbi Tzvi Greenberg Morristown, NJ Menachem Seraf Montreal, Canada Chaya Shemtov Bucks County, PA Mrs. Mindy Wallach Brooklyn, NY Shaina Karp Sara Krasnianski Tirtza Lieberman THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 9

10 TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 ct ojbn twf

11 Tuesday 4:00-6:30pm 4:00 p.m. Registration and Check in Welcome to the luxurious Four-Diamond Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich, CT for the fourth annual National Jewish Retreat. Once you have registered at our welcome desk at the hotel entrance, please proceed to the hotel check in desk to get your room key, then stop at Winfield s Restaurant for some delicious refreshments. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Sun Court, so freshen up and meet us there for a finger licking good barbeque. 5:15 p.m. Minchah (Afternoon Prayer Service) Location: Sun Court 5:30 p.m. Dinner Location: Regency Ballroom Foyer Menu: From the Grill 6:30 p.m. Orientation Location: Sun Court Presenter: Rabbis Hesh Epstein and Yoni Katz The Retreat is the same as in the past, only better! With over 500 fellow travelers, we are setting sail for a five-day journey of Torah learning, internal spiritual growth and longstanding friendships. So let s review the schedule, learn the layout of the grounds and discover some of the hidden beauty of the Greenwich landscapes. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 11

12 Tuesday 7:00-8:20pm 7:00 p.m. Session I Women in the Synagogue: A Critical Look at Critical Issues Presenter: Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Location: Meade ABC A frank and very honest discussion of the legal, historical and sociological aspects of a number of controversial issues that often present challenges to the modern Jewish woman. Mrs. Slonim will address such important issues as the purpose of the mechitzah, who is counted in a minyan and the role women have in leading synagogue services and reading from the Torah. Session II Things Beyond Resemblance: Art, Architecture and Kabbalah Presenter: Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Roundhill One day, Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch spent three hours examining a painting by the world famous Italian artist Raphael Sanzio. What did he see in this painting that so intrigued him? What connections exist between the worlds of art, architecture and Kabbalah that we may have missed? Join Rabbi Crispe as he leads you on a fascinating look at the unmistakable connections between these seemingly unconnected worlds. Session III The Land of Israel and its Pursuit of Peace: The Halachic Perspective Presenter: Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie Location: Winthrop AB Our sages teach that there are three states of wholeness that we must always strive for: wholeness of the Jewish people, wholeness of the Torah, and wholeness of the Land of Israel. If even one of the three is not complete, then the others will also suffer. True peace will only be accomplished when we have wholeness of the three. What hope is there for peace and wholeness in the modern land of Israel? Can one be achieved without the others, or are they inextricably connected? 12 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

13 Tuesday 8:20-10:00pm 8:20 p.m. Session I Total Immersion: Thoughts on Mikvah From the Deep Presenter: Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Location: Meade ABC In this session, Mrs. Slonim addresses the many misconceptions that shroud the laws of mikvah and family relations, and in a frank manner discusses how this system affects marriage and intimacy. This session is for women who have never even considered visiting the mikvah, as well as for those who have used the mikvah regularly. There will be plenty of new and interesting insights for everyone. Session II Defiance: The Incredible Story of Jews Who Fought Back Presenter: Mr. Zvi Bielsky Location: Roundhill During the darkest hours of WWII, three Russian brothers transformed persecution and violence into an incredible tale of affirmation and survival. Living in the Soviet Republic of Belarus, Zus, Tuvia and Asael Bielski fled to the woods to escape the Nazis. There, they built an elaborate village for rescued Jews. The Bielskis saved 1,250 men, women and children, whose offspring today number close to 20,000. This is the largest rescue of Jews during WWII and tonight, Zus son Zvi will tell his father s miraculous story of courage, faith and fearlessness, with film footage from the History Channel s documentary and other sources. This is an incredible story of Jews who fought back. 10:00 p.m. Ma ariv (Evening Prayer Service) Location: Sun Court THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 13

14 Tuesday 10:15pm 10:15 p.m. Night Owl Dialogue with the Scholars Do you have a question for our faculty members? Do you want to further explore a topic raised in a workshop or seminar? This is your opportunity for informal discussion with the scholars on the topic of your choice. Session I Scholar: Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Location: Meade ABC Session II Scholar: Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Winthrop AB Session III Scholar: Zvi Bielsky Location: Roundhill 14 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

15 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 ct ojbn cwf

16 Wednesday 7:00-7:30am 7:00 a.m. Early Bird Sessions Session I Getting to Know Your Soul Presenter: Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie Location: Meade ABC A morning study session examining Tanya, the central text of Chabad Chassidism, as a means for creating the appropriate mental focus for prayer. Drawing on the deep well of chassidic wisdom, this class focuses on a different theme each morning as it helps you build your own personal inner database of chassidic concepts and teachings. Session II Does G-d Really Want to Hear from Me? Presenter: Mrs. Stella Eliezrie Location: Winthrop AB Is G-d truly eager for dialogue with us? Dare we talk to G-d about unimportant things, not just when we really need high power help? This is a frank and open look at the true meaning and purpose of our daily conversations with G-d. 7:30 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Prayer Service) Traditional Service Location: Sun Court The pace of this minyan is most appropriate for those fluent in Hebrew reading, who regularly participate in organized prayer. Women s Prayer Service Presenter: Mrs. Chavi Epstein Location: Winthrop AB Mrs. Epstein uses her skills as a musician and teacher to help you gain a deeper personal appreciation of the morning prayer service, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase your familiarity and fluency with selected prayers through the power of music, dance and song. 16 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

17 Wednesday 8:00-9:00am Beginners Service for Men Presenter: Rabbi Levi Kaplan Location: Meade ABC New at Hebrew reading? Want to gain more skill at prayer? Don talit and tefilin and recite select prayers with assistance from patient teachers. This lesson will focus on the practical mitzvot of talit and tefilin, how they are performed and when they should be observed. 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Location: Regency G 9:00 a.m. Session I Why Me, G-d: Where Is G-d When It Hurts? Presenter: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Location: Regency ABC Open a newspaper anywhere, any day, and you will see headlines screaming of pain and sadness. Since the days of Job, man has asked the same question over and over: Why me, G-d? We may never comprehend G-d, but we should know that G-d, Who understands the purpose of pain, feels the intensity of our suffering; every tear we shed becomes His. Session II It s My Body Presenter: Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe Location: Meade ABC In a world that increasingly judges people on their external beauty, our society has become consumed with appearances. Is there some guidance from the Torah concerning the numerous procedures available to us today, ranging from beautification to mutilation? What can and cannot be done for cosmetic purposes, and how does this relate to the obligations to preserve health? Explore the fascinating intersection of Jewish law and modernity. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 17

18 Wednesday 9:00-10:25am Session III King David and the Psalms Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Block Location: Roundhill King David: a king, a warrior, a poet and a scholar. Relive the trials and triumphs of the most colorful personality in Jewish history. Through this interactive lesson, you will discover why our people have turned to the Psalms for solace and strength throughout the ages. Session IV Seven Kabbalistic Steps to Highly Effective Parenting Presenter: Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Location: Winthrop AB Discover the seven mystical Jewish strategies designed to help you improve your skills in the most important and difficult job we will ever love parenting. In everything we do, we are setting an example and we are teaching; how and what we teach is so critical to our children s future. This class can make a real difference in your child s life. 10:25 a.m. Session I Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls Presenter: Dr. Lawrence Schiffman Location: Regency ABC A stunning lecture and slide show that will open your eyes to the incredible story of the discovery and interpretation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the archaeology of Qumrun. Professor Schiffman, one of the world s leading experts on the subject, will address these discoveries impact on understanding the history and messages of Judaism and Christianity. 18 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

19 Wednesday 10:25am Session II Rachel, Leah and Jacob: A Whole New Look at the Triangle of Love, Part I Presenter: Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Location: Meade ABC Tricked by his father-in-law, Jacob married not just two wives but two sisters! In this environment, he and his wives raised the twelve tribes of Israel. This text based, quick-paced study uncovers the profound strata of meaning within one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible. Part I of two sessions (see 11:50 a.m. today, for Part II). Session III Redeeming the New World Economy: The Kabbalah of Creative Destruction, Game Theory and the Power of Innovation Presenter: Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Roundhill Recent developments in technology illuminate new dimensions of our economy, as part and parcel of age-old Jewish mystical insights into the Messianic era. Discover how the rapid technological growth of our scientific age parallels the predictions of the Talmudic and Kabbalistic writings describing the events and discoveries that will be revealed leading into the Messianic era. Session IV Talmud with Training Wheels Presenter Rabbi Levi Kaplan Location: Winthrop AB Do you miss those old yeshiva days and yearn for a second chance? Did you miss yeshiva altogether and always wanted to study a page of Talmud? Looking to get back into the rhythm of daily learning or don t know where to start? Let Rabbi Kaplan guide you, and you ll be on your way! THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 19

20 Wednesday 11:50am 11:50 a.m. Session I Tefilin: Decoding Black Boxes Presenter: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Location: Regency ABC Discover the profound mystical dimensions of tefilin. You have a brain. It is in one world. Your heart is in another. And your hands often end up involved in something completely foreign to both of them: three diverse machines. So you put on tefilin. First thing in the day, you connect your head, your heart and your hand with these leather cables all to work as one, with a single intent. And then when you go out to meet the world, all of your actions find harmony in a single coordinated purpose. Session II Rachel, Leah and Jacob: A Whole New Look at the Triangle of Love, Part II Presenter: Mrs. Rivkah Slonim Location: Meade ABC Tricked by his father-in-law, Jacob married not just two wives but two sisters! In this environment, he and his wives raised the twelve tribes of Israel. This text based, quick-paced study uncovers the profound strata of meaning within one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible. Part II of two sessions (see 10:25 a.m. today, for Part I). Session III The Jewish Pathology: You Can Run but You Can t Hide! Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Roundhill What is it about the Jew that would compel one who has sworn off any interest or association with Torah observance to suddenly embrace it, in the strangest of ways, under the most perplexing of circumstances? Beyond glib and simplistic explanations like guilt, nostalgia and cultural pride, what is it within the Jewish pathology that causes this spiritual schizophrenia, and why should it not be seen as hypocrisy? Through humor and inspirational stories, this lecture will examine the deep and awesome dynamics of Jewish soul and identity. 20 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

21 Wednesday 1:00-2:00pm Session IV Talmud with Training Wheels Presenter: Rabbi Levi Kaplan Location: Winthrop AB Do you miss those old yeshiva days and yearn for a second chance? Did you miss yeshiva altogether and always wanted to study a page of Talmud? Looking to get back into the rhythm of daily learning or don t know where to start? Let Rabbi Kaplan guide you, and you ll be on your way! 1:00 p.m. Lunch Chaired by: Rabbi Yosef Gopin Location: Regency G Greetings from the Hon. Jodi Rell, Governor of the Great State of Connecticut. As the state s 87th Governor and the first-ever female Republican Governor of Connecticut, Governor Rell has held elected office in Connecticut for more than two decades. She holds the state s highest office after serving as the 105th Lieutenant Governor for over nine years. Governor Rell also represented the 107th House District of Brookfield in the state House of Representatives where she held key leadership posts, including Deputy House Minority Leader and Assistant House Minority Leader. 2:00 p.m. Session I Who Was A Jew? Presenter: Dr. Lawrence Schiffman Location: Roundhill Is there a basic definition of what is a Jew? Follow the fascinating sources in history and Halachah, as they are applied by various groups: Samaritans, Christians, Falashas, Karaites and even certain modern Jewish movements, who have followed standards different from the Jewish tradition. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 21

22 Wednesday 2:00-3:30pm Session II Criminal Confessions and Torture: Moral and Ethical Dilemmas in Talmudic and Modern Law Presenter: Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe Location: Meade ABC As terror threats loom, we face difficult choices regarding torture and force in our justice system. How do US and Jewish law approach these tough questions? This lecture will address issues involving police and judicial applications of duress. What are acceptable and unacceptable uses of threatened consequences? Where does Jewish law stand on the admissibility of self-incrimination and evidence acquired under duress, and how do we deal with Ticking Bomb scenarios? Session III Hear O Israel Lecturer: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Regency ABC The most famous of all prayers of our people is the prayer, Shema Yisroel Hear O Israel.... What does it mean to hear? This talk will focus on how, through the Shema, the Torah is advising us to strengthen our relationship with G-d and with our family. In an age of advanced technology, especially in the area of communication, have we perhaps lost the art of listening? 3:30 p.m. Session I Reincarnation and Remediation: The Kabbalah of the Digital Age, Virtual Reality and Teletechnologies Presenter : Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Roundhill Do Jews really believe in an after life, reincarnation and the great beyond? Probing the Jewish roots of transpersonal psychology, we are taken above and beyond ourselves in the continual recasting of the soul in new bodies, through the process known as gilgulim, or reincarnation. 22 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

23 Wednesday 3:30pm Session II Do You Believe in Angels? Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Regency ABC All throughout the Biblical stories, Scriptural writings, Rabbinical teachings and liturgical prayers, references are made to G-d s angels, or Divine Messengers, commissioned to fulfill specific functions and tasks. This workshop will go beyond the abstract concept of the Holy Hosts, beckoning us to recognize the presence of angels in our own lives. A most inspirational and uplifting exercise. Session III Finding Faith in Adversity Presenter: Rabbi David Eliezrie Location: Meade ABC How does one cope and nurture faith when tragedy strikes? How are we to respond to the suffering of others? Can faith and suffering go hand in hand? If life is filled with pain, can it still be satisfying and meaningful? A chassidic perspective. Session IV Marriages Made in Heaven, Brought Down To Earth Presenter: Mrs. Chana Epstein Location: Winthrop AB Drawing on a wealth of over fifty years of personal experience, this interactive workshop is designed to help you take your marriage relationship to a new level. This session is for married women only, please. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 23

24 Wednesday 4:45-6:00pm 4:45 p.m. Session I Nature Hike and Chat: The Challenges and Rewards of the Ba al Teshuvah Presenter: Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Location: Meet at Hotel entrance Hike in the beautiful outdoors, where Mrs. Crispe will provide an opportunity to candidly discuss issues that face the recently observant. This workshop will deal with issues like non-jewish family and friends, and the relationship between observant and non-observant siblings, parents and spouses. Session II Art and Soul Presenter: Mr. Michoel Muchnik Location: Sun Court Michoel Muchnik, who is among the foremost Jewish artists of our day, revolutionized chassidic art. His imaginative and joyful depiction of traditional and mystical Jewish themes brought him critical acclaim and international prominence as a most beloved Jewish artist. Muchnik has staged exhibits of his original paintings, bas-relief mosaics, and lithographs throughout the world. His originals have been displayed at the Brooklyn Museum; the Goldman Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C.; Yeshiva University Museum in New York; Danforth Museum in Massachusetts; the Sydney Jewish Museum; and the Sharei Tzedek Collection in Israel. In this lecture/exhibition, Muchnik explains and discusses the meaning and spirit of his traditional and mystical Jewish artwork. Session III Intimacy Revealed : The Soul of a Marriage Presenter: Mrs. Chana Epstein Location: Winthrop AB Drawing on a wealth of over 50 years of personal experience, this interactive workshop is designed to help you take your marriage relationship to a new level. This session is for married women only, please. 6:00 p.m. Minchah (Afternoon Prayer Service) Location: Sun Court 24 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

25 Wednesday 6:15-8:00pm 6:15 p.m. Dinner Location: Regency DEFG Menu: Pan Asian Experience Greetings: Dr. Stephen F. Serbin, Chairman, Lay Committee, National Jewish Retreat Special Guest Tribute: Mr. Shimon Waronker is a Lubavitcher chassid, a former intelligence officer in the United States Army and until recently, the principal of one of the 12 most violent schools in New York. In a brief but tumultuous period, he took the Jordan L. Mott School in the South Bronx and turned it around. To do so he had to overcome prejudice both in getting the job and in gaining the trust of the parents, teachers and students at the school. Waronker s work is an inspiration to us all. 8:00 p.m. Session I An Old Faith in the New World: 355 Years of American Judaism Presenter: Professor Jonathan Sarna Location: Roundhill Relatively new on the scene, the American Jewish experience is a work in progress that has already had a major influence on Jewish and American life. This fascinating presentation will trace the development of American Judaism from its dawn in 1654 to the present day, pointing out the elements that have made it unique. Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University. He is regarded as one of the most prominent historians of American Judaism. Session II The Comedy of Marriage Presenter: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Location: Regency ABC Some say that G-d s biggest joke was having men marry women. In this humorous but practical talk, Rabbi Jacobson provides down-to-earth tips for happiness in marriage. Weaving together the teachings of chassidic philosophy and some downhome common sense wisdom, this presentation will make you laugh and make you think. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 25

26 Wednesday 9:30-9:45pm 9:30 p.m. Ma ariv (Evening Prayer Services) Location: Sun Court 9:45 p.m. Night Owl Dialogue with the Scholars Do you have a question for our faculty members? Do you want to further explore a topic raised in a workshop or seminar? This is your opportunity for informal discussion with the scholars on the topic of your choice. Session I Scholar-in-Residence: Professor Jonathan Sarna Location: Regency ABC Professor Sarna is a prolific author, having written the seminal work on the 350th anniversary of the founding of the American Jewish community, American Judaism: A History. He is a regular contributor on religion to the Newsweek- Washingtonpost.com joint project, On Faith. Any history buff will find this a fascinating experience. Session II The Write Words: A Torah Inspired Writing Workshop for Women Presenter: Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Location: Winthrop AB I don t know what I think until I see what I write.... E.M. Forster Bring a journal and pen. Through Torah and writing, discover how you can think differently about yourself and the world. Session III GENERATING JOY THROUGH SONG (for women only) Presenter: Mrs. Chavi Epstein Location: Meade ABC Take a few moments to relax and internalize the day s lessons as we join our voices in a range of Jewish songs. Experience the joy through hearing your own voice and connecting with others. Learn two nigunim, and take away more tools to access your neshama. 26 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

27 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 ct ojbn dwf

28 Thursday 7:00-7:30am 7:00 a.m. Early Bird Sessions Session I Getting to Know Your Soul Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Block Location: Meade ABC A morning study session examining Tanya, the central text of Chabad Chassidism, as a means for creating the appropriate mental focus for prayer. Drawing on the deep well of chassidic wisdom and inspiration, this class focuses on a different theme each morning as it helps you build your own personal inner database of chassidic concepts and teachings. Session II Topic: Waking Up to Chassidut Location: Winthrop AB Chassidic tradition calls for readying yourself for prayer through reflective study and spiritual preparation. This morning study session will examine a selection from Tanya, the central text of Chabad chassidic philosophy, as a means for creating the appropriate mental focus for the morning service. 7:30 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Prayer Service) Traditional Service Location: Sun Court The pace of this minyan is most appropriate for those fluent in Hebrew reading, who regularly participate in organized prayer. Women s Prayer Service Presenter: Mrs. Chavi Epstein Location Winthrop AB Mrs. Epstein uses her skills as a musician and teacher to help you gain a deeper personal appreciation of the Morning Prayer service, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase your familiarity and fluency with selected prayers, through the power of music, dance and song. 28 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

29 Thursday 8:00-9:00am Beginners Service for Men Presenter: Rabbi Levi Kaplan Location: Meade ABC New at Hebrew reading? Want to gain more skill at prayer? Don talit and tefilin and recite select prayers with assistance from patient teachers. This lesson will focus on the proper time and way to recite the Shema, a careful explanation of how this very special mitzvah is to be performed. 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Location: Regency DEFG 9:00 a.m. Session I George Washington s Correspondence with the Jews of Newport Presenter: Professor Jonathan Sarna Location: Meade ABC On August 17, 1790, Moses Seixas, the warden of Congregation Kahal Kadosh Yeshuat Israel, better known as the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, RI, penned an epistle to George Washington, welcoming the newly elected first president of the United States on his visit to that city. Professor Sarna presents an outstanding examination of this celebrated letter to Washington from Newport, RI s congregation, now known as Touro Synagogue, and his oftquoted reply, both of timeless importance. Session II A Tale of Two Souls: Exploring the Jewish Psyche Through the Lens of Tanya Presenter: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Location: Regency ABC The essence of man: is it spirit or soul? Within soul there is that which animates our physical existence and thrives on the material, and then there is that which aspires to virtue and transcendence. It is this dichotomy that lies at the root of all of life s struggles and challenges, achievements and triumphs. Based on the classic chassidic work, Tanya, this seminar will open the complex chambers of the two souls and expound upon the very meaning and purpose of life. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 29

30 Thursday 10:25-11:50am Session III What is Love? Presenter: Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Location: Winthrop AB Love is a paradox, many paradoxes, in fact. It is the most altruistic and the most selfish of human emotions the most giving and the most fulfilling; the most spiritual and the most physical; the most natural and the most irrational; the source of our deepest pleasures and our deepest agonies. This seminar will address the Jewish understanding of what it means to truly love another, and how to create healthy relationships while maintaining your individual identity. 10:25 a.m. Session I Religion and Law at the Crossroads Presenter: Rabbi Yona Reiss Location: Meade ABC American law carves out space where it may intrude, and not further. It is this space that we call freedom. If Americans cherish this empty space, Halachah lovingly fills the void. Halachah is expansive where American law is restrictive, inclusive where American law is exclusive. As Jews, we sense that we are on a seesaw, constantly trying to achieve a sense of balance not an easy task, but one with unlimited rewards. This session seeks to examine those places where American law and Halachah overlap, and how they are dealt with in the context of a modern Jewish life. Session II Climbing Your Mountain Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Regency ABC The metaphor and symbolism of a mountain and mountain climbing is found throughout the Bible, most noted in the story of the binding of Isaac, which called for Abraham and Isaac to climb a mountain alone, as well as the revelation at Sinai on a mountain. Biblical metaphors are meant to teach us about our own lives and struggles. What are our own mountains? How do we climb them? When do we reach the peak? How do we experience our own personal revelations? 30 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

31 Thursday 10:25-11:50am Session III Monkey Business: Kabbalah and Evolution Presenter: Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Roundhill Is there something swinging on your family tree? Judaism vs. science: an exploration of the age of the universe, the origin of human beings and how the Jewish mystical tradition anticipates modern evolutionary biology. Rabbi Crispe takes on the toughest challenges to modern Jewish theology and pulls no punches. This is the real stuff: real science and real Torah. Bring it on! Session IV Who has the Button? (for women only) Presenter: Mrs. Molly Resnick Location: Winthrop AB Clothing conceals and reveals, covers and adorns. We will explore the paradoxical role of garments by looking back to where it all began in the Garden of Eden. We will see how physical clothing mirrors the spiritual garments of the soul in form and function. You will hear a fascinating story about a cache of buttons that was discovered after more than twenty years. And you will have the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative mural designed by artist Michoel Muchnik, celebrating modesty as the essence of the Jewish woman. 11:50 a.m. Session I Halachic Ramifications of 9/11 Presenter: Rabbi Yona Reiss Location: Meade ABC The tragedy of 9/11 shook the world, destroyed lives and left a crater in the heart of lower Manhattan and in the hearts of thousands of friends and families of the victims. In this heartrending session, you will hear the ways that many decisions that came before the rabbinical court after 9/11 demonstrate how Jewish law offers guidance in even the most unthinkable of circumstances. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 31

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34 Thursday 11:50am Session II What Makes a Kosher Fish Kosher? Presenter: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson Location: Regency ABC Kabbalah teaches that the physical attributes of fish reflect their psychological and spiritual qualities, and that the food a person eats has a profound effect on his/her psyche. This raises two questions: First, why are fins and scales the characteristics that distinguish kosher fish? Second, as the Talmud itself asks, why are fins presented as an identifying sign for kosher fish when they are redundant, since scaled fish inevitably have fins as well? In this stunning insight into the age-old question of why some things are kosher and others not, you will finally get the answers you have been fishing for all along. Session III The Acceleration of History and the Redemptive Age of Technology Presenter: Rabbi Asher Crispe Location: Roundhill We live in a time incomparable to any other in history. The flood of information and the blindingly fast pace of technological change are rewriting the playbook for daily life. So extraordinary is the transformation, that we can hardly absorb its meaning before being thrown into the next profound global shift. In this class, we will highlight examples such as the exponential growth of information technologies, the spawning of instantaneous communication that affects the abolition of space and time, the reprogramming of our biology and the mastery of matter in view of the larger vision of the ultimate redemption in the Messianic Era according to classical Jewish sources. 34 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

35 Thursday 1:15-2:00pm Session IV The Jewish Survival Game Presenter: Dr. Stephen F. Serbin Location: Winthrop AB This workshop will focus on raising our Jewish consciousness and will provide a forum for participants to probe their Jewish identity and principles with a breadth and depth rarely encountered before. The journey is more important than the destination; the process of contemplating and discussing Jewish values is more important than the decision per se. The Jewish Survival Game provides a non-judgmental forum for the analysis and exploration of values which are often taken for granted. 1:15 p.m. Lunch Location: Regency DEFG Special Guest: Mrs. Eileen Bruskewitz, National Jewish Retreat lay committee member (Madison, WI). 2:00 p.m. Session I How Matzah Became Square: The Manischewitz Story Presenter: Professor Jonathan Sarna Location: Meade ABC I m going to bake matzos this year.we ll see how it goes, said Behr Manischewitz. One bright spring morning in 1888, a young immigrant father named Behr makes this offhand announcement to his modest wife, Nesha. Within record time, the ambitious young Talmudic scholar has a burgeoning bakery and is on his way to success. But the years go by and the growing family is ever more complicated, colorful and sometimes explosive. In this extraordinary journey, we travel back to the European roots of a remarkable family who crossed the ocean from Lithuania with little baggage but their religious faith and a young man s ambitions. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 35

36 Thursday 2:00-3:30pm Session II Here Comes the Judge: Rabbis Tackle Real Cases Presenters: Rabbis Yona Reiss, Shlomo Yaffe and Avrahom Sternberg Location: Regency ABC Whether it s a debate about air space rights over a sukkah or who owes who for a business trip that met with disaster, a modern day Beit Din deals with all forms of cases. In this session, you will participate in each case as it is presented, analyzed and adjudicated within the framework of Halachah. Watch and get involved as the panel of judges reaches a verdict and resolution. Then decide if you agree or disagree! Session III The Courage to Change Lecturer: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Roundhill In this political season, so much has been said about the word, change. Yet we as Jews have our own understanding of the word. Our change is meant to bring us closer to being the person we are always meant to be. This takes courage, effort, faith and support. In this challenging talk, we will focus on this very simple prayer of serenity: L-rd, please grant me the serenity to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed; and the wisdom to know the difference. 3:30 p.m. Session I Healthcare Debate Presenter: Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe Location: Roundhill Why do we spend so much more on healthcare, per capita, than other developed countries? Why do we achieve worse outcomes on several important measures than countries that spend far less? Why do we spend up to twice as much per person as countries that provide universal coverage, while leaving as many as fifty million Americans without insurance? This session takes a brutally honest look at Jewish legal writings on the right to medical care, comparing them to recent legislation in the US, and viewing Jewish law as a model for healthcare reform. 36 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

37 Thursday 3:30-4:45pm Session II Of Prophecies, Resurrection and Modern Day Miracles Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Bryski Location: Regency ABC Keying in on the moving and highly symbolic account of the prophet Ezekiel s visit to a valley filled with the remains of previous generations and his visions of the dry bones resurrected, this workshop will explore core issues of Jewish belief, the bond between generations and the phenomenon of supernatural events past, present and future. Session III I Am Woman Presenter: Mrs. Sara Esther Crispe Location: Winthrop AB We all know that men and women are quite different, but do we know how and why? Learn how Jewish mysticism celebrates gender differences, and how these very differences serve to unite and complement. Find out how both women and men have masculine and feminine characteristics, and how, through understanding our strengths and weaknesses, we become much more aware of the ways we must work together toward a common goal. And find out what it means to be a Jewish woman, spiritually, emotionally, physically and practically. Session IV Quill and Ink: A Hands-on Exploration of the Jewish Scribal Arts Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum Location: Meade ABC Ever wondered about what the inside of a pair of tefilin or a mezuzah looks like? See first-hand the process by which Torah scrolls, mezuzot and tefilin scrolls are prepared, as well as experience writing with the feather on parchment. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 37

38 Thursday 4:45-5:45pm 4:45 p.m. Session I Portraits in Jewish Leadership Presenters: Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Mr. George Rohr Location: Regency ABC Don t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results. George Patton This session seeks to help you discover the skills you already possess to transform your community into a thriving Jewish center. These men share their vision of Jewish leadership and philanthropy, and the power of giving to change lives on a grand scale matters with which they are very familiar. Session II Recreation: Hike and Meditation Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meet at the Hotel Entrance The mystics often sought natural settings for meditation on their relationship with G-d. Join us on a hike to invigorate you, setting a mood for relaxed communication and honest reflection. Session III The Virtue of Sin: A Contradiction in Terms? Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Block Location: Meade ABC While never a path one would intentionally embark upon, this study of Judaism s perspective on sin will offer revealing insights on the nature of the relationship between G-d and man, and the essential ties that bind. Moreover, it will explore the uplifting paths to repentance, renewal and redemption that are always accessible to all. This workshop will be spiced with many inspirational stories and anecdotes. 38 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

39 Thursday 5:45-10:00pm 5:45 p.m. Minchah (Afternoon Prayer Services) Location: Regency ABC 6:00 p.m. Gala Dinner Location Regency DEFG Special Guest Speakers: Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky Topic: The Priorities of Our Lives Mr. George Rohr Greetings Keynote Address US Senator Joseph Lieberman Senator Lieberman addresses the retreat on the challenges and the sometimes humorous and often gripping events during his many years of public service as a proud practicing Jew. In appreciation: Rabbi Yisrael Deren, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Connecticut 8:30 p.m. Avraham Fried in Concert Master of Ceremonies: Rabbi Moshe Bryski, Chabad of the Conejo Location: Sun Court Join us for an unforgettable mix of traditional and modern Jewish music with chassidic superstar Avraham Fried. This concert is sure to be a highlight of your stay! 10:00 p.m. Ma ariv (Evening Prayer Service) Location: Regency ABC THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 39

40 Thursday 10:15pm 10:15 p.m. Night Owl Dialogue with the Scholars: Sessions I & II Do you have a question for our faculty members? Do you want to further explore a topic raised in a workshop or seminar? This is your opportunity for informal discussion with the scholars on the topic of your choice. Session I Scholar-in-Residence: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Winthrop AB A chance to mine the depths of this true scholar of chassidic philosophy and spiritual wisdom. Mrs. Tzukernik is the founder and directer of the Omek Foundation, a freelance writer and a course author for the Jewish Learning Institute. She is a motivational speaker, having addressed audiences on all continents. Her latest project is W.H.A.M.! a workshop exploring the relationship between Work, Happiness and Meaning, geared to both lay audiences and corporate clients. Session II Jews and Politics Scholar in Residence: Mr. Bruce Backman Location: Meade ABC A Fair and Balanced Report on contemporary American and Israeli politics with Bruce Backman, a senior research analyst at Fox News and former political aide to Governor George Pataki. 40 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

41 Thursday 7:30-8:45pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 ct ojbn swf

42 Friday 7:00-7:30am 7:00 a.m. Early Bird Sessions Session I Topic: Getting to Know Your Soul Presenter: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Winthrop AB A morning study session examining Tanya, the central text of Chabad Chassidism, as a means for creating the appropriate mental focus for prayer. Drawing on the deep well of chassidic wisdom and inspiration, this class focuses on a different theme each morning, as it helps you build your own personal inner database of chassidic concepts and teachings. Session II Morning Movement and Meditation Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meade ABC A healing workout that involves stretches geared to invigorate and align the body, as well as strengthening positions. The session includes self-massage techniques and Qi Gong to encourage energy flow. For women only. 7:30 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Prayer Service) Traditional Service Location: Sun Court The pace of this minyan is most appropriate for those fluent in Hebrew reading, who regularly participate in organized prayer. Women s Prayer Service Presenter: Mrs. Chavi Epstein Location: Meade ABC Mrs. Epstein uses her skills as a musician and teacher to help you gain a deeper personal appreciation of the Morning Prayer service, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase your familiarity and fluency with selected prayers, through the power of music, dance and song. 42 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

43 Friday 7:30-9:00am Beginners Service for Men Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Block Location: Winthrop AB New at reading Hebrew? Want to gain more skill at prayer? Don talit and tefilin and recite select prayers with assistance from patient teachers. This lesson will focus on the proper time and way to recite the Shemoneh Esrei, including a careful explanation of how this very special mitzvah is to be performed. 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Location: Regency DEFG 9:00 a.m. Session I Topic: 1+1=1 Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meade ABC We are many and unique and yet, at our core, we are forever one. We don t love our neighbor to glorify our own ego. When we come to another s aid, we leave our own self behind. This seminar explores how to successfully uncover our inherent connection with others, to celebrate our diversity and to truly love others as we wish to be loved ourselves. Session II Bible Criticism: Critiquing the Critics Presenter: Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet Location: Regency ABC Did G-d communicate to human beings all that He would like us to be doing down here? How do we know we heard G-d at Sinai? Who wrote the Torah? G-d? Moses? A committee of authors? How do we deal with apparent contradictions and inconsistencies which academia claims to discover in the Torah? Can a modern, reasonable, educated person still believe that the Torah is literally the word of G-d? If any of these questions have ever bothered you, or if you would like to better prepared to answer others when they ask, this seminar is for you. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 43

44 Friday 9:00-10:25am Session III Unlocking the Wisdom of the Talmud Presenter: Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum Location: Roundhill If the Bible is the cornerstone of Judaism, then the Talmud is the central pillar soaring up from the foundations and supporting the entire spiritual edifice. In many ways, the Talmud is the most important book in Jewish culture, the backbone of creativity and of national life. No other work has had a comparable influence on the theory and practice of Jewish life, shaping spiritual content and serving as a guide to conduct. Over the centuries, hostile nations have banned Talmudic study because it was abundantly clear that a Jewish society that ceased to study this work had no real hope of survival. Join Rabbi Rosenblum for an in-depth introduction to the majestic intellectual heights of Talmud study. Session IV A Bus Trip to the Ohel Tour Guide: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Meet at the Hotel Parking Lot Who is the Rebbe and why do Jews and non-jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe s gravesite for blessing, spiritual guidance and inspiration? Join us on a journey to a small gravesite in Queens that has become, for so many, a nexus of this world and the next. We will return at around 1:00 p.m. 10:25 a.m. Session I The Dynamics of Prayer Presenter: Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet Location: Meade ABC Once upon a busy life maybe even two or three times, or more we are struck with a sense of being so small within something much larger. Wouldn t it be good for the two of us to have a chat? We would like to speak with G-d. So we ask ourselves, What purpose does prayer serve? Why pray to an allknowing G-d? How dare we think that we could change G-d s will and the situations guided by Divine Providence? In this session, Rabbi Schochet addresses these issues and the structure of prayer, so that the next time the spirit moves you, you will know how to respond. 44 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

45 Friday 10:25-11:50am Session II Where was G-d in the Holocaust?: A Holocaust Survivor Tells his Story Lecturer: Rabbi Nissan Mangel Location: Regency ABC People sometimes ask: where was G-d in the Holocaust? But the real question is: where was humanity? G-d was in a voice that has been speaking since man first walked on earth in the words, You should not murder, in the words, Do not oppress a stranger and in the words, Your brother s blood cries to me from the ground. G-d wasn t silent in the Holocaust. Listen as a survivor tells his inspiring story of G-d s presence in Auschwitz. Session III Challah Baking with the Rebbetzins Presenters: Mrs. Shifra Aviva Deren and Mrs. Chaya Teldon Location: Winthrop AB (Maximum 50 people) In general, challah refers to the two loaves of bread that form the core of the Shabbat meal. But in its more basic and Halachic meaning, challah is the piece of dough that is separated and consecrated to G-d every time we bake bread. Replete with spiritual meaning, it is one of the three primary mitzvot of the Jewish woman. For more than a hundred generations, Jewish women have fulfilled this beautiful and life-transforming mitzvah. Session IV Up, Up, and Oy Vey!: How Jewish History, Culture and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero Presenter: Rabbi Simcha Weinstein Location: Roundhill Superman may not be Jewish like his creators, but some scholars, comic book historians and rabbis see the superhero and his introverted alter ego, Clark Kent, as subtly influenced by the authors heritage, and informed by themes of assimilation and conflicted cultural identities. This session takes a fascinating look at how the early comic book creators almost all Jewish children of immigrants depicted Superheroes who fought for truth, justice and the American Way. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 45

46 Friday 11:50-1:00pm 11:50 a.m. Session I Helpmates, Harlots and Heroines: Deconstructing Biblical Stereotypes Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Roundhill Many of us perceive the women of the Bible to be spineless servants to the men in their lives, or as brave women who defied societal norms but were consequently branded as harlots. But is it possible that they are actually heroines? Are they, perhaps, women who defy the limits of our imagination and afford each of us a glimpse of the bold choices available to us? Their choices can change reality for the good. Join us in an open exploration of their lives and their meaning for us today. Session II Growth Through Coping with Personal Challenges Presenters: Mrs. Chaya Teldon, Mrs. Shifra Aviva Deren and Mrs. Stella Eliezrie, with Moderator Mrs. Molly Resnick Location: Meade ABC Where do we go when pain comes calling? When grief and tragedy strike, what answers does Judaism provide us with to deal with the hurt? How can we learn to cope with overwhelming challenges? How can we find the resilience to emerge whole? Explore strategies for surviving and thriving in the face of hardship. Session III Interview with the World s Foremost Expert on Chassidic Philosophy Today Presenter: Rabbi Yoel Kahn, with Rabbi Yisrael Deren, Interpreter Location: Regency ABC The editor of the Encyclopedia of chassidic Philosophy, Rabbi Kahn is a brilliant codifier of Jewish mysticism and philosophy. For four decades he served as the person most responsible for committing the Rebbe s weekly Shabbat and holiday talks to memory. With almost total recall, he would recite the Rebbe s talks and repeat them to the chassidim. Reb Yoel, as he is affectionately known to the thousands of students who he taught, also served as transcriber of many of these talks. Rabbi Kahn, speaking through an interpreter, will discuss fundamental topics in chassidic thought and will answer questions from the audience. 46 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

47 Friday 1:00-2:30pm Session IV The Moses Code: Understanding the Relationship Between Man and Creator Presenter: Rabbi Yehudah Shemtov Location: Winthrop AB Moses, the hero of the Bible, appears to have been given a raw deal! He wasn t allowed to enter the Holy Land because he hit the rock instead of speaking to it. Is that fair? What would you say if you were Moses defense attorney? Will the judge of the whole world not do justice? In this paradigm shifting session, you will be led through the process of discovering the deeper subtext and the true meaning of the Biblical passage in a brand new light. 1:00 p.m. Lunch Location: Regency DEFG Greetings from: Rabbi Yosef Deren, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich (CT) 2:00 p.m. Group Photo Location: Meet at Hotel Entrance 2:30 p.m. Session I Kabbalah and Mysticism: What It Is and What It Is Not Presenter: Rabbi Immanuel Schochet Location: Roundhill What Kabbalah is: That which is received; that which cannot be known through science or intellectual pursuit alone; an inner knowledge that has been passed down from sage to student from the earliest times; a discipline that awakens awareness of the essence of things. What Kabbalah is not: See: Madonna. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 47

48 Friday 2:30-4:00pm Session II Soul Flames Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Winthrop AB Too often, the world is a maddening place. Your life is a ship at storm. Friday night is your escape hatch to crawl into another world, a place of serenity and calm: a calmness we call Shabbat. And it all begins with the flicker of a small flame of light. This unique workshop explores the Shabbat candles and their correspondence to the soul, based on the teachings of Kabbalah. Session III Stories from the Front Lines Presenters: Rabbis Tuvia Teldon, Shalom Deitsch and Yisrael Deren, with Moderator Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie Location: Regency ABC Enjoy these tales of inspiration, perspiration and determination from the front lines of the world of shluchim. These Rabbis share their personal anecdotes from their attempts to share the message of hope, caring and the unbreakable spirit of our people. Session IV Cooking for Shabbat Presenter: Chef Jack (Yakov) Silberstein Location: Meade ABC Award-winning Chef Jack Silberstein is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Chef Jack has held positions as a private chef, recipe developer, restaurant consultant and most recently as a kosher caterer and cooking instructor. Jack utilizes his skills and experiences to educate and teach the fundamentals of cooking in a way that is easy to follow and understand. 3:45 p.m. Free Time to Prepare for Shabbat 3:45 p.m. Sheitel Styling Seminar Presenter: Enzo Riccobene Location: Winthrop AB World famous stylist, Enzo Riccobene, will offer a special workshop on how to wash, style and set your Sheitel. 48 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

49 Friday 5:00-6:30pm 5:00 p.m. Pre-Shabbat Buffet Reception Pre-Shabbat Appetizers Location: Regency Ballroom Foyer 5:30 p.m. Shabbat: An Oasis in Time Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman Location: Sun Court In an age when retail stores are open seven days a week and people are expected to be reachable all the time, a spate of editorials have broached the concept of declaring a secular Sabbath a day devoid of , cell phones and the other invasions of modern society. But Shabbat has always been much more than a protection against burnout. The Jewish Shabbat is on a plane of its own, a pinnacle in time, the climax of our week and the source of sustenance and inspiration for the days to follow. Join us as we explore the beauty of Shabbat through the eyes of our Kabbalists and mystics. 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Candle Lighting Hostesses: Mrs. Shaina Mintz, Mrs. Chaya Teldon and Mrs. Shifra Aviva Deren Location: Regency Ballroom Foyer The Shabbat candles have ushered the holiness of Shabbat into the Jewish home for thousands of years ever since the matriarch Sarah illuminated her tent with her Friday night lights. The primary function of the Shabbat candles is to bring peace and tranquility into the home and to enhance our enjoyment of the Shabbat meal. The candles also serve to remind us of the spiritual dimensions of Shabbat; just as a physical candle reveals the otherwise unseen contents of a room, so too, in a spiritual sense, the Shabbat candles reveal the unseen and intangible G-dly energy which permeates our existence. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 49

50 Friday 6:30-7:30pm Minchah (Afternoon Prayer Services) and Kabbalat Shabbat Services Location: Sun Court The Shabbat eve prayers have been legendary throughout the ages for their poetry and their haunting and joyful melodies. The service begins with L chu n ran na Come let us sing. The highlight of the Friday night prayers is the mystical hymn, L cha dodi, which describes how we prepare for and greet the Shabbat; its refrain means, Come, my Beloved, to meet the Bride; let us welcome the Shabbat. Written by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz, the acrostic of the first letter of each stanza spells his name. The holy city of Tzevat/Safed was known especially for its mystics who would go to the surrounding mountains every Friday as the sun was setting and greet the Shabbat with the L cha dodi. Following the Prayer for welcoming the Shabbat is the traditional evening festival prayer, composed primarily of borechu, shema, the amidah and aleinu. 7:30 p.m. Event: Shabbat Dinner D var Torah: Rabbi Yehudah Shemtov Location: Regency DEFG Keynote Address: Why Are Americans Unhappy? Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman What good is happiness? It can t buy money. Henny Youngman The pursuit of happiness is often a treadmill of misery, running but getting nowhere. Can we step down and change our objective, and find that elusive sense of contentment? 50 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

51 Tuesday Friday 7:30-8:45pm SHABBAT, AUGUST 15 ct ojbn vwf 51

52 Shabbat 7:30-8:30am 7:30 a.m. Light Breakfast Location: Regency DEFG 7:45 a.m. Shabbat Mevorchim Tehilim Presenter: Rabbi Mordechai Shain Location: Sun Court The last month of the Jewish year, Elul, is traditionally a time of introspection and stocktaking a time to review one s deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming Days of Awe of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is customary to recite the entire book of Tehilim (Psalms) on the Shabbat before the beginning of the new month. 8:30 a.m. Preparation for Prayer It is an age-old custom to study a bit of chassidic teaching before the morning prayers. These teachings with their loveand awe-inspiring elucidation of G-d, existence, life and the G-dliness in existence and life are the perfect prelude to prayer, making the experience that much more meaningful. Session I Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meade ABC Studying the weekly parsha is a great way to prepare yourself for services. Drawing on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, this text based class will provide an in-depth look at the portion of Re eh, and how it applies to our lives in a meaningful way. Session II Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion Presenter: Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum Location: Regency ABC Studying the weekly parsha is a great way to prepare yourself for services. Drawing on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, this text based class will provide an in-depth look at the portion of Re eh, and how it applies to our lives in a meaningful way. 52 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

53 Shabbat 9:15am-12:00pm Session III Introduction to the Study of a Ma amar Presenter: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Winthrop AB A ma amar is a journey into the depths of life s meaning as viewed through the lens of the chassidic masters. In this session, you will be introduced to a ma amar that guides us a on a path to understanding the meaning of the month of Elul and its role as the birth canal for the New Year. 9:15 a.m. Traditional Shabbat Morning Prayer Services Sermon: Rabbi Chaim Block Location: Sun Court Shabbat morning prayers include two services Shacharit ( morning prayer) and Musaf ( additional prayer). While prayer is a daily mitzvah, Shabbat is a truly opportune time for your soul to commune with her Creator, free as she is of the worries and concerns of the workaday world. Indeed, the Shabbat prayers exclude the usual requests for material sustenance and other physical needs, including instead more psalms and spiritually inspiring prayers all accompanied with each community s traditional Shabbat tunes. Shabbat Services for Beginners Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman Location: Regency ABC Is your Hebrew weak or non-existent? Don t let that stop you. G-d understands all languages, and prayer books with English translation are readily available. We have a beginner friendly service, with Rabbi Friedman supplying guidance and explanations as the service moves along. 12:00 p.m. Shabbat Lunch D var Torah: Rabbi Zalman Wolowik Location: Regency DEFG Keynote Address: Chabad After Mumbai Presenter: Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky Location: Regency DEFG Rabbi Kotlarsky will share his experiences and optimism with heartwarming anecdotes from the life of Chabad couples, who search for Jewish sparks to ignite in the far-flung reaches of the world. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 53

54 Shabbat 2:00-3:15pm 2:00 p.m. Session I Souls, Afterlife and Reincarnation Presenter: Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet Location: Regency ABC One of the fundamental beliefs of Judaism is that life does not begin with birth nor end with death. As we learn in the verse (Ecclesiastes), And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to G-d, who gave it. Although life on earth is relatively short, eternity is pretty long. Is this life merely a means toward achieving a greater end: true life in the hereafter? So what does that mean? What are the Jewish concepts of heaven, hell and reincarnation? Session II How the Shabbat Has Kept the Jews Presenter: Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum Location: Roundhill There are thirty-nine general categories of labor, melachot, that are forbidden on Shabbat. Each of these categories includes a range of derivative laws and activities. The melachot are generally divided into six groups, classified according to the Mishkan s activities with which they are associated. In this indepth analysis of the modern/ancient definitions of labor and rest, Rabbi Rosenblum offers key insights into the meaning and method of Shabbat observance in the 21st century. Session III Shabbat Afternoon Walk Facilitator: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meet at Hotel Entrance Come on, let s walk off that second serving of cholent! Mrs. Tzukernik will lead you on a picturesque walking tour of Old Greenwich and share some insights into the beauty and peace of Shabbat afternoon. 54 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

55 Shabbat 3:15-7:00pm Session IV A Faith to Die For Presenter: Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie Location: Meade ABC Do Jews have martyrs? There are religions in which it s a great thing to die for your faith, and doing so makes you a saint or gets you a ticket to paradise. What is the Jewish view? Is a person supposed to die for his beliefs? 3:15 p.m. Free Time 4:30 p.m. A Gathering of Souls The Farbrengen A farbrengen is an informal gathering meant to create feelings of warmth and inspiration. Insightful thoughts and powerful stories are shared, interspersed with spirited singing. (An occasional l chaim! often adds to the mood.) Men s Farbrengens: Presenter: Rabbi Immanuel Schochet Location: Sun Court Presenter: Rabbi Yisrael Deren Location: Meade ABC Women s Farbrengens: Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman Location: Regency ABC Presenter: Rebbetzin Chaya Teldon Location: Winthrop AB 6:00 p.m. Warning: Religion May Be Harmful To Your Health Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman Location: Regency ABC Is religion useful or harmful in a modern world? Given the violence that stains the history of religion, this session seeks to reexamine the role of religion in today s society. 7:00 p.m. Minchah (Afternoon Prayer Services) Location: Sun Court THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 55

56 Shabbat 7:30-9:30pm 7:30 p.m. Light Snack: Seudah Shlishit Location: Regency DEFG 8:40 p.m. Maariv (Evening Prayer Service) and Havdalah Location: Sun Court 9:30 p.m. Comedy Hour Entertainer: Marc Weiner Location: Regency DEFG Comedian/ba al teshuvah Marc Weiner presents his hilarious skit, From MTV to mikvahs, K-Mart to Kabbalah in Weiner s world, everything s sacred but nothing s profane. Keynote Address: Coming Down the Mountain Presenter: Rabbi Manis Friedman Location: Regency DEFG Mountain climbers relish the panoramic view at the top of the mountain, but sooner or later, they must make the trek down. After five days at the top of the mountain at the National Jewish Retreat, it s time to begin our descent. What will you take back with you to share with friends and family in your home communities? In this session, we will reflect upon the joy, the celebration, the learning and the inspiration, and we will explore ways to bring the power of these moments with us throughout the year. Event: Melave Malkah Location: Regency DEFG 56 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

57 Tuesday Friday 7:30-8:45pm SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 ct ojbn uwf 57

58 Sunday 7:30-8:00am 7:30 a.m. Early Bird Sessions Session I Getting to Know Your Soul Presenter: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Winthrop AB A morning study session examining Tanya, the central text of Chabad Chassidism, as a means for creating the appropriate mental focus for prayer. Drawing on the deep well of chassidic wisdom and inspiration, this class focuses on a different theme each morning as it helps you build your own personal inner database of chassidic concepts and teachings. Session II Morning Movement and Meditation Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Meade ABC A healing workout that involves stretches geared to invigorate and align the body, as well as strengthening positions. The session includes self-massage techniques and Qi Gong to encourage energy flow. For women only. 8:00 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Prayer Service) Traditional Service Location: Sun Court The pace of this minyan is most appropriate for those fluent in Hebrew reading, who regularly participate in organized prayer. Women s Prayer Service Presenter: Mrs. Chavi Epstein Location: Meade ABC Mrs. Epstein uses her skills as a musician and teacher to help you gain a deeper personal appreciation of the Morning Prayer service, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase your familiarity and fluency with selected prayers, through the power of music, dance and song. 58 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

59 Sunday 8:30-11:00am Beginners Service for Men Presenter: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Winthrop AB New at reading Hebrew? Want to gain more skill at prayer? Don talit and tefilin and recite select prayers with assistance from patient teachers. This lesson will focus on the proper time and way to recite the Kaddish, a careful explanation of how this very special mitzvah is to be performed. 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Location: Regency DEFG 9:30 a.m. Session I Crossfire Panel Discussion Presenters: Rabbis Yisrael Deren, Manis Friedman and Immanuel Schochet, with moderator Rabbi Dov Drizin Location: Regency ABC You ve got questions, they ve got answers! You re sure to enjoy this annual forum for quick-thinking analysis and debate. No subject too controversial, no challenge shirked. Session II Resource Fair Location: Regency Ballroom Foyer This resource fair affords you the amazing opportunity to do all of your shopping for Judaica, art, books, kosher foods, wine and religious articles from nearby vendors in one place. We have assembled the top vendors, and they are offering their goods at great prices. So shop a little! 11:00 a.m. Session I E Pluribus Unum? Presenter: Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet Location: Roundhill Is it realistic for us to expect a society that equally upholds the values of unity and pluralism, or do these values conflict? Is there room for compromise or tolerance in Orthodox Judaism? This session explores possible methods that can be used to create one community from so many different factions. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 59

60 Sunday 11:00am-1:00pm Session II The Waters that Keep the Fires Burning Presenter: Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik Location: Winthrop AB Doesn t being married to the same person become boring? How do you keep things interesting after so many years of marriage? This workshop explores dynamics around the marital relationship, incorporating a critical analysis of a Biblical text, drawing, writing and dialogue. Session III The Rebbe and the Ohel Presenter: Rabbi and Mrs. Yisrael and Shifra Aviva Deren Location: Regency ABC Who is the Rebbe, and why do Jews and non-jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe s gravesite for blessing, spiritual guidance and inspiration? Prelude to a journey to a small gravesite in Queens that has become, for so many, a nexus of this world and the next. Session IV Resource Fair (continued) Location: Regency Ballroom Foyer This resource fair affords you the amazing opportunity to do all of your shopping for Judaica, art, books, kosher foods, wine and religious articles from nearby vendors in one place. We have assembled the top vendors, and they are offering their goods at great prices. So shop a little! 12:00 p.m. Lunch Location: Regency DEFG 1:00 p.m. Farewell Presenters: Rabbis Hesh Epstein and Yoni Katz Location: Regency DEFG A chance to review and critique the Retreat, and to start planning the Fifth National Jewish Retreat. Next year in Jerusalem! 60 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

61 Sunday 2:00pm 2:00 p.m. Optional Trip to the Ohel Tour Guide: Rabbi Ronnie Fine Location: Meet at Hotel Parking Lot Who is the Rebbe, and why do Chassidim, Jews and non-jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe s gravesite for blessing, spiritual guidance and inspiration? Join us on a journey to a small gravesite in Queens that has become, for so many, a nexus of this world and the next. You will be able to take taxis from the Ohel to JFK and LaGuardia, both around 20 minutes away. THE HYATT REGENCY OLD GREENWICH, CT 61

62 Friends I met at the retreat

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64 In appreciation to George & Pamela Rohr In the merit of bringing the concept of the Jewish Learning Retreat to fruition and their ongoing efforts to bring the love of Torah to Jews worldwide, may our words of study here stand them in good stead. May G-d grant them and all their loved ones health and happiness and may they be blessed with extraordinary success in all their endeavors. Need Help? LOOK FOR THE BUTTON! Brilliant Service. Naturally JRETREAT Brought to you by: The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute An Affiliate of Merkos L Inyonei Chinuch 822 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY Tel Fax Web