Passover Program 2022 In The Berkshires, Connecticut

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Falls Village, CT

Apr 15, 2022 - Apr 24, 2022  

 

Escape to the Berkshires for a beautiful, engaging Pesach retreat.

 

Celebrate Passover surrounded by the beautiful foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. Enjoy classes from our best teachers and delicious Kosher-for-Pesach fare. Our schedule is packed with activities for the whole family. Nourish your mind, body, and soul on one of the best Passover vacations you’ll ever have!

Retreat Overview

 

Pesach at Isabella Freedman will feature programs and activities for adults and kids, farm-to-table kosher-for-Passover meals (featuring cholov Yisrael dairy products, ethically-sourced Glatt kosher meat; vegan, vegetarian, and non-gebrochts options available), communal Seders (semi-private options available) and daily soulful Orthodox davening.

 

If you register for either first or last days, you are welcome to extend your stay for up to 3 nights of Chol HaMoed at a heavily discounted nightly rate.

 

Highlights:

 

Seders: There are two options for each Seder. You can join a communal seder in our Dining Room led by our guest educators, or choose to hold your own semi-private Seder as a family unit in our Library.

Classes: Throughout the week we will have many Torah classes and text study opportunities with renowned teachers and scholars. 

 

Activities: We will hold classes throughout the week including outdoor exploration, as well as yoga, pickling, cheese making, tours of our organic farm, and guided hikes on our trails. 

 

Davening: We will have daily Torah reading and three daily minyans with soulful Orthodox davening. 

 

Chol HaMoed: We will have live entertainment, writing workshops, opportunities to volunteer on the farm, and learning how to prepare organic farm-to-table food. 

 

Kid’s Activities: While many of our activities are family-friendly, there will also be some dedicated programs for kids throughout the week. These will make use of our farm and the natural environment of the retreat center.

 

Gan Adamah: (for children ages 2-4) Parents/Guardians can choose to drop off their children or stay with them. Gan Adamah provides a safe and engaging space for toddlers to play, explore, sing, and move. Programming is from 9am – 12pm each morning of the retreat, except for arrival and departure days.

 

Camp Teva: (for children 5-12) Camp Teva provides many outdoor and nature-based experiential activities. Some examples include hikes, outdoor games, survival skills such as cooking over a fire or building a shelter, or learning how to farm on our Admah farm.
  

Programming is from 9am – 12pm and 2:30-5:30 each day of the retreat, except arrival and departure days.

 

The Food We Serve

Our kitchen and dining room are glatt kosher under supervision of the Hartford Kashrut Commission. During Pesach, we understand that folks come here with a wide range of observances and traditions, and we strive to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and nourished. Please indicate any special dietary needs when you register. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free options and we will do our best to accommodate all your food allergies or other dietary needs. 

The following will give you a brief introduction to our practices for Pesach:

 

Dairy: All of our dairy – milk, cheese, and yogurt – is Cholov Yisroel.

 

Kitniyot: We do not serve kitniyot during Pesach.

 

Gebrochts: We do serve gebrochts throughout Pesach, however there are non-gebrochts/gluten-free options at each meal.

 

Meals: We will serve three meals each full day of your stay. Only dinner will be provided on your arrival day and breakfast on your departure day. Ahead of the late Seders we also serve an earlier light supper. Seders and holiday meals at the start and end will have assigned tables. Your choice of dining will remain the same the entire program.
 

Each guest room / suite is equipped with a mini-fridge. We ask that guests limit the amount of food eaten in their rooms and to be mindful of trash, given the area wildlife in our remote location.

 

COVID-19 Precautions

 

Guest Conduct: 

Each guest will be required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test (rapid tests will not be accepted), even if you have been vaccinated, 72 hours prior to your arrival with the expectation that you will self isolate until you arrive on campus. If you arrive without your test results we will not allow you to attend the program. We will also be asking all guests to sign a waiver and questionnaire regarding our COVID-19 practices and your potential exposure or recent symptoms. We ask that everyone acknowledge a set of guidelines, including keeping a distance between guests not in your group and being masked at all times while around other guests (other than when actively eating in our dining spaces).

 

Prayer and Program Spaces:

We will be holding spirited Orthodox services in our indoor synagogue each day. Every indoor space will be sanitized and deep cleaned multiple times throughout the day. Weather permitting, we will utilize our various outdoor locations for programming as much as possible.

 

Are you excited? We are! Do you have friends that will be excited? Let them know about this opportunity! Do you have questions? Email us using the contact details below.