The upcoming session in the Berkshire Mountains, is for women of all ages and backgrounds. We’re fond of saying the only prerequisites are an adventurous mind and an adventurous spirit because we know how much you’ll appreciate the intellectual and spiritual depth we offer through classes, workshops, prayer and camaraderie. Want to take a break and go canoeing? Enjoy a game of tennis? Have a massage? You can do that too. Like every other session we run, the atmosphere is open and nonjudgmental, and you’ll be sharing the experience with women – like yourself – who have set aside time to study and experience the finer things in life.

Scroll down for the retreat theme, featured lecturers, accommodations, travel, information for local residents, and registration. If you have any questions or need assistance making arrangements to attend, email us or call 800.473.4801 (718.604.0088 for outside US or Canada).

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On the Agenda
• Bina: What is the extra measure of understanding given to women?
• The Sefirot: Building blocks of creation, elements of the soul
• Rules of Engagement: How the best teachers teach, how the best students learn
• Beauty and The Beast: What is Torah’s concept of “beauty” and what is its relevance to both men and women
• Love Is: We talk about it all the time, but do we really know what love is?
• The Ladder Up: Kabbalistic insights into prayer and meditation
• Thou Shalt Honor: Being a child of any age requires that you honor your parents – no matter what
• Challah: An exploration through biblical and medrashic texts and Kabbala
• Tanya: Pragmatic guide to the soul and psyche
• Song is the Pen of the Soul: The melodies of the mystics demystified

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.

Malka Touger is a world renowned teacher and lecturer whose insights on marriage and the role of the Jewish woman have attracted and inspired women and men on all seven continents. Drawn in by Touger’s authenticity and infectious enthusiasm for Jewish study, students commonly describe her presentations with superlatives – and always walk away enriched. Touger has authored and co-authored several best-selling books in both English and Hebrew; created educational videos in both languages; and produced a series of audiotapes on intimacy in marriage. You’re sure to enjoy her.

Shimonah Tzukernik is the founder and director of OMEK, a center devoted to in-depth transformational learning for women. She is also a course-writer for the Jewish Learning Institute, the largest institute of adult learning of its kind, operating in over 200 cities. Using her degree in Fine Arts, English and Linguistics, Shimona has spear headed numerous workshops, including the acclaimed Inner Vision Seminar. She has been a guest lecturer for the UJA, Young Israel, Hadassah, synagogue sisterhoods and Chabad Houses around the world.

Sara Karmely has been lecturing and counseling for over 20 years in the field of family purity, relationships, love and marriage. Her lectures stress traditional Jewish marriage and family ideals. Sara first-hand experiences add to her appeal as an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, and a warm and sensitive counselor. She has written Thoughts To Hear With Your Heart, and a more recently a revised version, Words To Hear With Your Heart. She has also created the inspirational and motivating Jewish Learning Series: Shalom Bayis (Domestic Tranquility) and Taharas Hamishpacha (Family Purity).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 10 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 www.mta.nyc.ny.us 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 800.473.4801. After May 18, please call 917.364.2754.

Click here for rates and early application discounts.

Apply now.