Jewish communal professionals devote themselves to creating impactful experiences for others, often at the expense of their own rejuvenation.
Thanks to generous funding, Adamah is offering a series of immersive retreats to a select number of Jewish communal professionals to nourish their minds, bodies, hearts, and souls at Isabella Freedman, Pearlstone, and other sites around the USA.
Engage in meaningful and restorative programming, including Torah study led by a clergy member, wellness and movement classes, and community building experiences with others in the field.
Take time to connect with nature, eat delicious kosher food, and enjoy many fun on-site programs and amenities that the retreat facilities have to offer.
This retreat experience is fully funded for eligible participants! A $180 fully refundable deposit is required to demonstrate your commitment. Travel expenses to/from the retreat are not covered.
Join us!
August 11-13, 2025 at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT
November 7-9, 2025 at Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, MD
January 11-13, 2026 at Ramah Darom in Clayton, GA
April 27-29, 2026 at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA
June 5-7, 2026 at Ramah Ojai in Ojai, CA
November 1-3, 2026 at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…a chance to meet with others who shared the same values as me in both professional and personal religious paths. It made me feel like the path I’m on is the right path, and gave me strength to move forward with new energy in my work and personal life.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“So many moments of Jewish joy! In particular I loved the campfire circle, the kabbalat shabbat services, and the radical amazement nature walk. I loved having the time and space to be in nature and in community, especially after a really hard year as a Jewish person and professional.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…connect[ing] with new colleagues and reconnect with colleagues from across the field that I’d met and worked with before was absolutely amazing. Having the chance to sit with new people in between programming and get to know them was probably my favorite part.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…meeting such incredible other professionals. I loved the age diversity and learned from everyone around me. Shai Held’s torah was very meaningful and moving for both me and my work.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“Shabbat morning with Luna — Avodat Lev + Radical Amazement Walk, and yoga — was powerful for spirit and body. All of Rabbi Held’s shiurim were thought-provoking and relevant to my personal and professional strivings. As always, time spent with the goats was a highlight. An unexpected treat was to not have to talk about work.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…meeting new friends while swimming in the lake on Shabbat was one of the most freeing and transformative moments from the retreat. Connecting to thoughtful, inspiring people while experiencing nature together — what could be better?”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…time to connect spiritually with the Earth: the Shabbat morning chanting and meditation lake walk; the overlook hike; boating and having time on the water; touring the farm that nourished us…singing around the campfire were all powerful ways to connect with the land in different and powerful ways. I also found a lot of meaning in our daily Mishpacha groups-we all were really surprisingly moved by how willing we all were to lean all the way in and make this an important part of our weekend.”
Meaningful Moments from Retreat Participants
“…spending time rowing in the lake during Shabbat- since the tragedy of October 7th, I have not had the time to unplug and be fully present for myself…this particular moment, and the retreat overall, reminded me how important taking care of your own mental health is during difficult times.”
ReTreat Yourself! FAQS
Who is eligible for the retreat?
If you meet all of the following criteria, you are eligible to register.
Participants must:
have been working full time in the Jewish communal world for 2+ years. (Attending school and working towards a Jewish communal degree does not count towards that time, unless you were also concurrently working full time for a Jewish organization.)
have been working in their current role for 6+ months.
be able to organize and cover the cost of their own transportation to and from the retreat.
Can I bring my family to the retreat?
No. Children and spouses/partners are not permitted to attend. The only exception is if your partner is also eligible to attend independently and applies separately.
If both my partner/spouse and I are both Jewish professionals in the region, can we both attend and share a room?
Yes. Please register individually and put this rooming request on both your registrations. However, if applicable, note that children are not permitted to attend.
How many staff can attend from one given organization?
To offer this gift to as many applicable Jewish organizations as possible, we will be placing caps on registration by organization, though the number may change slightly depending on the size of each organization.
Is the retreat really free?
Yes! It’s a gift to Jewish communal professionals. A group of generous funders is part of the team helping to support this experience. Please note that all registrants must pay a $180 fully refundable deposit, which will be returned a few business days after the retreat ends. This is to demonstrate your commitment to attending for the full weekend. If this is a barrier to participation, please reach out.
Travel to and from the retreat is at each participant’s own expense.
What will the sleeping arrangements be like?
Rooms will be double occupancy. There is an additional charge for single occupancy rooms that will not be refunded with the deposit.
I keep Kosher. Will my dietary needs be accommodated?
Most of the retreats are taking place at retreat centers or camps with Kosher kitchens that are supervised by a mashgiach. For the sites that do not have Kosher kitchens, Adamah will work with the site to order packaged meals from a local certified Kosher caterer OR hire a local Kashrut agency to kasher the kitchen and supervise meal preparation. If you have questions about a specific site, see the final FAQ for contact information.
What is the schedule? When should I plan to arrive and depart?
Schedules are finalized closer to the start of the retreat. Overarching themes of sessions will relate to: appreciating nature, rest and rejuvenation, and bringing Jewish professionals together and supporting them as human beings. This retreat is not traditional professional development, but we still view it as professional development. Taking time out from your busy working life to slow down and focus intentionally on wellbeing and rejuvenation is essential to longevity and satisfaction as a Jewish communal professional.
Is there anything special I should bring?
Besides an openness to share and listen, and a desire to disconnect and rejuvenate, a packing list will be sent a few weeks before the retreat. Musical instruments are always welcome!
What can I expect Shabbat and weekday prayer services to be like? What are the communal expectations for Shabbat observance?
During prayer times throughout the retreat, a traditional Orthodox service will always be offered with a mechitza (divider), as well as at least 1 egalitarian option which will be focused on meditation and song. More options may be offered depending on participant demand. Regarding Shabbat practice, we ask that participants respect the variety of viewpoints on this as well as take this unique opportunity to unplug from the fast pace and demands of everyday life. Consider putting electronics away and focus on introspection, connection, conversation with those around you, and communing with nature. Workshops on Shabbat will not have writing components, and instruments will not be played in public spaces.
I would like to know more! Who can I contact for additional information?
Please reach out to Eliezah Hoffman, the Immersive Retreats Project Manager, at eliezah.hoffman@adamah.org or 410.843.7548.
