What makes a retreat special?

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When you look back to what makes a retreat special - whether a retreat with Adat Shalom or another organization - what stands out? What are the most memorable moments or aspects of retreats for you?

I come back to the first Adat Shalom retreat I attended, where we had a period of dividing up into groups of four and reacting to something that we had done as a whole community. It may have been only 20 minutes, but it was a time for each of us to be heard by three other individuals. That really made an impression on me, and I remember that to this day.

What stands out for you, personally?

-- Stefan Taske (abba@zzapp.org), March 26, 2001

Answers

One of the special things about the retreat is the ability to focus on long range issues rather than the short term crisis or even one year issue. The best retreats for me were the ones which had products either created at the retreat or a established a process for products to be created after the retreat. I think retreats should be used for community building, not just for those there but for the whole community. In this retreat we should continue the process of establishing what we want to acheive at the end and work backwards to program to acheive those results.

-- Stanley Newman (stanleynewman@prodigy.net), March 26, 2001.

I've never been at an AS retreat -- my previous experience was in my teens. What I valued most especially was the break in routine -- the quiet, being away from the hustle and bustle and having the time and space to listen to both what I was thinking and others were thinking. My memory of that experience became a haven in subsequent years.

-- Mary Meyerson (ASTorahSchool@aol.com), March 26, 2001.

Everyone participating in the creation of shabbat services

Trying out new things, as in wearing a Tallit for the first time

Getting to know and connect with members previously not known

-- Sheila Feldman (asadmin@erols.com), March 27, 2001.


For me, one thing that stands out is the very first retreat I attended with my family. On Saturday night, at the campfire, I brought along my clarinet. I was a bit shy about that, because I had no idea whether it was cool to use instruments or whether one was supposed to just sing. But some of my best childhood memories of Jewish services came from campfires a Camp Swig (the Reform Movement's youth camp in Saratoga, California), and what really helped me to connect with the singing and the spirit was playing along on my clarinet.

Well, I played a little bit, and out of nowhere, this guy who introduced himself as Jeff Toretsky approached me and started talking about an idea he had for forming a klezmer band. That eventually led to some very happy connections with a whole new style of music and worship.

And so for me, what makes a retreat special is how mixing up with folks in this very loose atmosphere, having a chance to reconnect with one's own Jewish roots, and getting pulled in to new connections in our synagogue community.

-- Michael Gottlieb Berney (mlberney@aol.com), April 11, 2001.


I love worshiping out in nature and having the opportunity to connect with other congregants in this relaxed setting.

-- Rachel Apple (apple@taske.org), May 04, 2001.


Having an opportunity not just to pray together but to spend some concentrated time thinking deeply about the values that can guide my life.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

A retreat offers time away from the trappings of work-a-day events to share with congregants and experience the warmth and emotional spirit of Judaism.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Commraderie with other members and services outdoors (absolutely my favorit thing!). Dancing in services and other times. Relaxed atmosphere.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Music, outdoor services, hiking.

-- adat shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Best retreats were when entire group felt really tight. Lots of mixing among smaller groups (e.g., different family structures, ages, length of membership).

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.


Connecting with familiar faces and getting a chance to meet new ones in a more relaxed and longer time period--and especially the singing.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

I will have more thoughts after this--my first experience at a retreat.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Being with congregation members, revisioning Adat Shalom and building our community as a WHOLE PERSON--body, mind & spirit. Talking, exercising, and relaxing. Serious conversations that happen spontaneously or unexpectedly. Making strong bonds with new folks.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

I loved the play each year--having young and old work together (albeit reading a script) was fun, engaging, and lasting. A similar type of activity this year would be an asset in the planning.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

The retreat is a great way to make new friends and deepen old friendships. It is the intersection of fun, sprituality, and community.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.


Getting to know new members.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

I love having both my daughters involved and happy with their own activities, giving me the opportunity to learn a new Israeli dance, join in a lively discussion or just have some quiet time in a lovely setting.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Shabbat services outside. Getting to know other members better. The retreat topics are usually thought provoking even if I go thinking I don't care about the topic.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Staying up late singing around the medurah, it's like being back in camp!

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Opportunities to find out who we are as people (including sometimes ourselves) and to connect around these commonalities.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Coming away from the weekend with a deepened sense of my spiritual values and more insight into living a richer Jewish life.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Balancing time to pray, time to be in community, time to meditate, time to be alone, time to be with friends, time to sleep.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Being in a beautiful, peaceful setting where my children are engaged in a Jewish camp-like environment which is safe and supported by the entire community. Sort of a weekend shabbaton in the woods.

-- Adat Shalom (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

I will enjoy the random and not-so-random interactions with people in my community that help us get to know one another. I look forward to discovering shared interests, and being in a natural setting, enjoying other folks' company and Jewish community.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Most memorable experience was running the retreat. We had just joined in the summer and Rabbi Sid asked us after just joining. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun. We were at the previous site and I had to do housing assignments without knowing who the people were!

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

It's a slice of heaven to be in the presence of Adat Shalomers for an entire weekend! Other past highlights-I loved the Shabbat retreat--thought it was brilliant. I visited Saturday in sessions on meditation with Neal and Steve Shapiro, and Elaine Weiner's guided imagery one year. Fred accepting the Torah from Sid as he became Rabbi was other-worldly.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

Getting to know other Adat Shalom members. Realizing I can choose to sit outside and relax.

-- Adat Shalomer (feedback@taske.org), May 18, 2001.

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