Bais Chana in the Berkshires, CT
Jewish Women's Study Retreat
May 6-9, 2012 [Sun-Wed]
 Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Ctr
What if you had the chance to remove all the distractions in your life and focus on what's really important to you? What if you had the opportunity to learn things that are immediately relevant to you...and return home stimulated and renewed, ready to face every challenge?
If you're enticed by the prospect, join us for all or part of the upcoming retreat, May 6-9, 2012 in the gorgeous Berkshire Mountain, with Rabbi Manis Friedman,a team of brilliant educators - and remarkable Jewish women from all over the country.
 You'll benefit from brilliant teachers; food that's organic, kosher and delicious; subject matter that's relevant, thought-provoking and inspirational; and the stimulating company of Jewish women from around the world and across the Jewish spectrum. Take a moment to check out the agenda below. The best part is that what you learn at Bais Chana will resonate long after you return home.
The Berkshire Mountains retreat is for Jewish women of all ages and backgrounds; there are no prerequisites to attend. The retreat includes classes, workshops, women’s study hall, prayer and plenty of intelligent adult conversation with new friends. Want to take a break and go canoeing? Enjoy a game of tennis? Get a massage? You can do that too.
Scroll down to see the retreat theme, agenda, featured lecturers, a description of accommodations, travel, information for local residents and registration. If you have any questions or need help making plans to come,
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or call us 800.473.4801 (outside the US and Canada, 718.604.0088)
Watch these videos of women who've attended past retreats.
Read what women wrote about their experience.
Find out more about Bais Chana Women International
Check out last year's photo album
Click here for rates and early application discounts.
Ready?
Already registered and need to pay fees?
Check out what we offer for teen girls and college women.
Retreat Theme
Learn to look at life more deeply by exploring Jewish thinking, texts and traditions.
On the Agenda: The Genesis Of It All: Self-awareness, desire and the male/female dynamic • In G-d We Trust: What’s the prescription for faith in crisis? • Love, Loyalty & The Art of a Good Marriage • Communication, Meditation & Prayer: Harnessing the mystical power of speech • Jewish Soul/Jewish Psyche • Get A Good Night’s Sleep: How to get rid of anger, dishonor, embarrassment, and humiliation • Jewish Womanhood, A Chassidic Perspective • Why Kosher? • Guide to Weekday Prayer • Shabbat How-To • Music Workshop • Movement & Exercise • Hiking, swimming, boating • More
Featured Lecturers
 RABBI MANIS FRIEDMAN, Bais Chana’s primary lecturer, is a gifted educator – an internationally acclaimed lecturer, social philosopher, author and counselor. Friedman’s compelling worldview comes from Torah, Kabbala and Chassidut, and with his trademark wit and wisdom, he’ll challenge our assumptions about Judaism, spirituality and G-d. With over thirty-five 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, Friedman is one of the most riveting teachers you’ll have the pleasure to study with.
Check out Rabbi Friedman's website rabbifriedman.com
For CDs and books www.itsgoodtoknow.com
Check out Rabbi Friedman's fan page.
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 on chabad.org and video on torahcafe.com
 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. Sharpen your pencil, you’ll want to take good notes. Yanover taught a weekly class for women over several years, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has lectured in Chabad Houses all over the US.
Watch Yanover give a class called, From Fury to Forgiveness, at a Bais Chana retreat for women in the Berkshire Mountains.
.jpg "Bracha Meshchaninov") BRACHA MESHCHANINOV has been teaching women at a variety of adult education forums for over two decades. With tremendous sensitivity and a no-nonsense approach, she addresses the dilemmas of our day – personal and communal – through the study of a broad array of Jewish texts. Meshchaninov has a degree in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa; and received her earliest training in integrated education as a counselor in the youth movement, Bnei Akiva.
About the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
 The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center (www.isabellafreedman.org) rests on 450 acres of forested land and lush meadows, stunning mountain vistas, serene lakes and miles of forested trails, in the foothills of the southern Berkshires.
When you come to Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, you enter a different place and time. During breaks from classes and workshops, take a stroll down a country lane or walk along the shores of the lake. Take a vigorous hike on one of the many trails that lead right from the property. Or just talk with new friends after class, then relax with a book in the comfortable screened-in gazebo.
The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center is nestled at the base of a beautiful forested ridge, which becomes saturated with golden hues every evening during sunset. There are two lakes for boating, fishing, swimming or simply for contemplation. Well-groomed trails wind around the lakes and stretch into the adjacent forest, connecting with the famed Appalachian Trail which runs from Maine to Georgia.
Bais Chana’s meeting spaces include the synagogue, dining room, recreation hall, lounge (where there’s high-speed computer access), gazebo and yurt.
The meals at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center are organic, delicious and kosher to Chabad standards. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know when you sign up and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Ready? Apply now.
Click here for rates and early application discounts.
Check out our other sessions for women.
Check out our next session for teen girls.
Accommodations
 Each of the eleven lodges of guest rooms has its own unique character where you’ll enjoy the simplicity, comfort and charm of country lodging. Some buildings have rooms with private baths, others have shared bathrooms for two rooms. Please see the descriptions below to determine your nightly rate. Handicap-accessible rooms are also available upon request.
All units have bureau and closet space and are fully winterized. None of the units have doors that can be locked from the outside. Valuables can be stored in the office safe. Cribs are available.
There are phones in the main building and each lodge has a phone either in the hallway or on the porch. Local calls are free. Bring a calling card for long distance. The reception on cell phones varies; some cell phones work, some do not.
Give this number to family and friends so they can leave messages for you: 860.824.5991.
Rates
Attend any or all days of the retreat. Rates are per night and include hotel accommodations, meals, classes and workshops; the full retreat is 3 nights. An application fee of $50 must be paid at the time of registration.
To qualify for a 10% discount, register by April 6, 2012. The student rate is not eligible for the 10% discount, but is eligible for deferred payment.
Register now
Application Fee: $50
Rates include overnight accommodations, all classes and workshops, and three meals daily:
Double Occupancy: $240 pp/night
Triple or Quad Occupancy: $200 pp/night
Private Room: $280 pp/night
Student Rate: $95 pp/night (not eligible for 10% discount)
Bais Chana Group Package
As part of Bais Chana’s group package, we will have exclusive access to the fitness center, arts and crafts room (bring your own supplies), athletic field and playground, basketball court, billiards, game room, outdoor heated pool, miles of hiking trails with paths that range from gentle to strenuous, ping pong, tennis court, theater space, two lakes for canoeing and swimming, and volleyball court.
What to Pack
Bring casual clothes and good comfortable walking shoes, a sweater or sweatshirt, raincoat or umbrella, alarm clock, water bottle, sunscreen, all toiletries, a washcloth and an extra bath towel or two (they supply but not enough). If you have a prayer book you should bring it; all other materials necessary for class will be given as handouts or copies of text. Bring a camera – it’s beautiful!
Additional Costs
Additional per person charges only apply if you choose any of the following: low ropes course, massage, private bodywork sessions, childcare and cabin night-watch.
Travel: Arrival and Departure Times
Arrive at the retreat center anytime after 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 6. If you’re coming by car, please park in one of the designated parking lots; there is no charge for parking. You’ll need to keep your things in your car until you know that your guest room is ready. The first session on Sunday is at 4:00 pm ; the last session on Wednesday afternoon will be over by 2 pm.
If you’re arriving or departing on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, you can arrive and depart at any time of the day, although we ask that you notify us of those approximate times. If there is someone else moving into your room on the day you leave, you may need to remove your things by 9 am as a courtesy to the new roommate; we’ll be sure to let you know.
Travel - by Car, Plane, Train and Bus
For detailed directions from your departure point to Isabella Freeman use www.mapquest.com with this destination address:
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
116 Johnson Road
Falls Village, CT 06031
860.824.5991
BY CAR
From New York City
A – From the Whitestone Bridge
Take the Hutchinson River Parkway to Rte 684. After 684 crosses I-84 it will become Rte 22 North. Stay on Rte 22 North through Pawling, Dover and Amenia. In Amenia, take Rte 343 to Sharon, CT. At the Sharon clock tower make a left to Rte 41 North. Take 41 North until you reach the blinking light. At the light, turn right onto Rte 112 East. Take Rte 112 until the road forks – bear left onto Rte 7 North. Travel about a half mile and Johnson Road will be your second right. (The Mountainside Café is on the corner of Rte 7 and Johnson Road.) Isabella Freedman is on Johnson Road on the right hand side about a half mile from the intersection of Rte 7.
B – From the West Side of Manhattan
Take West Side Highway north to Saw Mill River Parkway (it becomes the Saw Mill) to Taconic Parkway (Exit 26, approximately 29 miles from 23rd Street). Take Taconic north towards Albany. Stay on Taconic Parkway for about 50 miles. Take the exit for US 44 east towards Millbrook (make a right off the Taconic). Stay on US 44 through Millbrook to Amenia (approximately 10 miles). Then follow direction above (A) from Amenia.
C – From the East Side of Manhattan
Take the FDR Drive to the Major Deegan to the Saw Mill River Parkway to Interstate 684N. Then follow directions above (A) from 684N.
From New Jersey
Take the Garden State Parkway North to the end. Bear right towards New England. Take the Tappen Zee Bridge to exit 8 (White Plains) to Interstate 684 North. Then follow directions above (A) from 684N.
From Boston
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West to Exit 2 for Lee, MA. Follow Rte 102 towards Great Barrington and connect in Stockbridge with Rte 7 South. Stay on Rte 7 South through Stockbridge, MA into Canaan, CT. Stay on Rte 7 through Canaan towards Falls Village. In Falls Village Rte 7 will intersect with Rte 126. Take second left after the intersection with Rte 126 – turn onto Bee Bee Hill Road. At the end of Bee Bee Hill Road cross Johnson Road. The entrance to the retreat center will be opposite you.
From Albany, NY and points west
NY Thruway to the Massachusetts Turnpike East to Exit 2 for Lee, MA. Follow Rte 102 towards Great Barrington then continue with directions from Boston above.
From Hartford and points east
Take Rte 44 West through Winsted, CT to Canaan. In Canaan turn left onto 7 South. Rte 7 South will take you into Falls Village where it intersects with Rte 126. Then follow directions from Rte 126 as given in Boston directions above.
BY PLANE
Bradley Airport is about 1 hour away. Taxi and limousine services are available from the airport to Isabella Freedman.
DRIVING FROM BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CT
Leaving the airport, take the first exit to Rte 20. Drive through Granby and after a couple of miles turn left onto Rte 219. Keep on Rte 219 for about 5 miles and make a right onto Rte 318. After another approximately 5 miles turn right onto Rte 44 West towards Winsted. Then follow the directions from Rte 44 as given in Hartford directions above.
BY TRAIN
The closest train station to us is Wassaic, NY. Call Metro-North at 800-METROINFO or visit http://www.mta.info/mnr/ for schedule and fare information. Taxi service is available from the station to the retreat. You must call to reserve a taxi in advance of your arrival. Lakeville Taxi: 860.435.8000.
BY BUS
Bonanza Bus Lines offers daily bus service to Canaan from New York City and points throughout New England. Call 888.751.8800 for a schedule. This is a 3 hour trip from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. Taxi service is available from the station to Isabella Freedman. You must call in advance for a reservation. Lakeville Taxi: 860.435.8000.
Info for Local Residents
Attending for just one day, an evening lecture or just a morning or afternoon class? Please pay as you go. Each class is $15/person. Breakfast is $8; lunch is $15; dinner is $22. Babysitting is available; we ask that you let us know as soon as possible before the event if you intend to bring children so that we can plan appropriately. Reservations for babysitting and meals can be made by emailing to
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or by calling 800.473.4801.
Click here for rates and early application discounts.
Apply now.
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