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Single Jewish Mothers

Retreat for Single Jewish Mothers
Childcare & Generous Grants Available

Winter Dates

Feb 16-20, 2012 [Thur-Mon]

Twin Cities, Minnesota

Single Jewish Mothers - Just for You
We know there are many reasons a woman might be raising a family on her own and we’re here to support you as you do it - spiritually, emotionally and practically. Sound like a dream? Not anymore. Generous donors who care about you and your children have made this extraordinary experience possible for you – just when you need it most.

A Retreat for Single Moms - of all ages
Feb 16-20 [Thurs-Mon]
We’ll nurture, inform and support you at a five-day retreat in a relaxing, stress-free environment. You’ll enjoy delicious, healthy meals and an array of workshops: on parenting, Jewish spiritual teachings, financial planning, dating and relationship counseling, fitness and arts – all led by expert educators and facilitators. Warm, dependable childcare for children up to age 5 is available if you decide to bring your young children.

The benefit to you: You’ll gain a powerful network of support, find new resources, and go home with deep, lasting friendships with women from all over the country.

Check out the photo album from the last retreat.
Read the impressions of women who attended the last retreat for single moms.

Featured Lecturers

RABBI MANIS FRIEDMAN is a gifted educator, internationally acclaimed lecturer, social philosopher, author and counselor. Using his trademark wit and wisdom, he challenges our assumptions about Judaism, spirituality and G-d, and sheds new light on our most important relationships. Friedman’s compelling worldview comes from Torah, Kabbala and Chassidut, and he is a master at conveying deeply profound concepts in concrete, relevant terms and in putting our Divine mission and purpose within reach.

Friedman has over forty years in the classroom and on the lecture floor, a profound knowledge of the soul and psyche, and a crystal clear perspective on life today, much of it garnered from the many thousands of women he's counseled at Bais Chana and around the world. Friedman has lectured at venues all over the globe and is one of the most riveting teachers you’ll have the pleasure to study with.

Check out Rabbi Friedman's website rabbifriedman.org
For CDs and books www.itsgoodtoknow.com
Check out Rabbi Friedman's FB page.
Read about him here.
Listen to audio.
Watch Rabbi Friedman respond to questions about parenting, how to acquire wisdom, and the Mumbai tragedy.
Search Manis Friedman for more audio and video on chabad.org and Torah Cafe.

FREIDY YANOVER is a brilliant and stimulating teacher, not one to shy away from some of the toughest material in the canon of Chassidic and Kabbalistic writings. Yanover will make you think deeply about some very lofty concepts and then bring you right back down to earth with personal take-home lessons. Her topics this session include “License to Laugh!”, “The Soul of Prayer” and “The Feminine and Masculine Energies of Mitzvot.” Yanover taught a weekly class for women in Johannesburg, South Africa when she lived there, and has lectured in Chabad Houses all over the US. Widowhood as a young mother introduced her to the challenges and art of single parenting.

Watch Yanover give a class called, From Fury to Forgiveness, at a Bais Chana retreat for women in the Berkshire Mountains.

NACHSHON ZOHARI, LCSW, In the course of his work as a psychotherapist, Nachshon Zohari has developed a compassionate style that focuses on personal strengths and innate talents in order to introduce light, life, and health into his clients' lives. Zohari’s work is a unique blend of Chassidic thought and Developmental Psychology in which he facilitates individual growth as the foundation for healthy change. He is a talented and inspiring parenting educator, and his dynamic and positive manner - combined with the belief that each of us has a vital role to play in the world - has helped many people to work through their challenges and fulfill their unique potential.

Zohari currently administers the mental health and substance abuse programs for families in crisis at Denver Department of Human Services. Previously, he was the Director for Women and Family Services for outpatient behavior health at Denver Health and Hospital. He also maintains a private counseling practice. Zohari believes that growth is best achieved by developing and maintaining an extended network of support. This may include the extended family, career mentors, financial advisors, and spiritual guides all working together to create a holistic vision and plan that allows a woman to bring her hopes and goals into reality – as this retreat does.

Read more about Nachshon Zohari
Finding the Light - How Chasidism Helps Nachshon Zohari Help Drug and Alcohol Addicts

On his blog: http://zohari.typepad.com/

Ask the Expert
The Social Services System: Supporting Treatment and Recovery for Individuals and Families

Help! I've got Kids: Skills to successfully parent your child: Counter-will

Where do we start? Shifting focus away from conflict to what we have in common.

http://drug.addictionblog.org/family-of-origin-issues-and-addiction/

AARAH AIZMAN grew up among successful artisans - painters, inventors, musicians, scientists, master gardeners and writers, and feels that artful living is best kept natural and unschooled if possible. She began her professional art career doing commissioned ketubot in the 80’s and started teaching K-8 in the 90’s. Her favorite medium is now teaching.

At a minimum, Aizman’s students “get their feet and brushes wet” and use art to relax. She is passionate about medium exploration and the wisdom mined through observing and respecting the nature and temperament of each medium – its vulnerabilities, its strengths. Through this process, her students become more adept in understanding emotional and spiritual processes – and how to identify personal limitations and attributes as well. When to take control, when to let go, and how to step back and behold the resulting beauty.

A studio experience in a retreat setting helps bring the lessons culled in class and group sessions into a personal space, making it all relevant.

Accommodations
Lubavitch House, Twin Cities, MN
Lubavitch House is situated on 5 acres of wooded land in suburban West S Paul, and is fully air-conditioned. A newly renovated synagogue and classroom serves as the main meeting space for the group. Overnight rooms are set up dormitory-style as private rooms, double occupancy or triple occupancy rooms, and students’ rooms. A wireless internet connection is available.

Cost
Rates include overnight accommodations, all classes and workshops, and three meals daily. Rates are based on the room occupancy you choose: private, double or triple. Contact us to arrange childcare. Please see the Retreat and Childcare Grants section below, if needed.

Application Fee: $50
Private Room: $780
Double Occupancy: $660
Triple or Quad Occupancy: $540

Childcare is available for children up to age 5.
If you need a handicap accessible room, please indicate that in the comments box when you register.

Sign Up Now
Use this registration form to sign up. Once you submit your online form, you’ll be directed to pay your $50 application fee so have your credit card ready. If you’re applying for a Retreat Grant or Childcare Grant, please note that in the section that asks for additional comments.

Retreat and Childcare Grants

Generous donors have made Retreat Grants and Childcare Grants available for women in need. Grants do not cover the $50 application fee but, depending on your situation, could cover up to 100% of the retreat and childcare fees.

To apply for a Retreat Grant or Childcare Grant, please write two to three paragraphs summarizing your financial situation and why you’re requesting help. You must include the name and contact number of someone who can serve as a reference for you. Clearly state the dollar amount you’re asking for and whether it’s for the retreat or childcare. We may ask for documentation if we need to clarify your situation. All information you submit to us is strictly confidential and will only be seen by the three-woman committee that's evaluating Grant requests. Email your request to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and put “Grant Request” in the subject line.

Travel: Arrival and Departure Times
Arrive at Lubavitch House any time Thursday, February 16. Dinner is at 6:30 pm followed by the first session at 7:30 pm. Book flights after 1:30 pm for your departure on Monday.

More Information
If you’d like more information, please call 718.604.0088 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We’d be happy to answer all your questions and it’s our privilege to address any special needs you have.