Bais Chana in the Berkshires, CT
Jewish Women's Study Retreat
May 6-9, 2012 [Sun-Wed]
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Ctr

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.

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Check out what we offer for teen girls and college women.

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. He has over forty years experience 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.

Friedman’s speaking tours have taken him to most of the 50 states, as well as Canada, South and Central America, Israel, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong. His first book, Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore?, was published by Harper San Francisco. He’s been featured in over 200 print articles internationally, and has been interviewed on more than 50 television and radio talk shows. He has appeared on CNN, A&E Reviews, PBS and BBC Worldwide, and has been the subject of articles in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Guideposts, Insight, Publisher’s Weekly and others.

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 provocative teacher, not one to shy away from some of the toughest material in the canon of Kabbalistic writings. Yanover taught a weekly class for women in Johannesburg, South Africa when she lived there, and lectures for Jewish organizations all over the US. She trained with the Erickson College School of Education and Coaching. Yanover works with individuals, couples and families who are ready to discover and uncover the skills necessary to live fuller and happier lives through transformative growth and consciously committed relationships.

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

SHIMONA TZUKERNIK Shimonah Tzukernik is the founder and director of OMEK, a center devoted to in-depth transformational learning for women. Trained in Fine Arts and Linguistics at the University of Witwatersrand, she taught art history at Funda University in Soweto. Tzukernik is the author of two books on Biblical Women and a course-writer for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, the largest institute of adult learning of its kind, operating in over 200 cities. Using her vast knowledge of Kabbalah and her degree in Fine Arts, English and Linguistics, Shimona has spearheaded numerous workshops, including the acclaimed Inner Vision Seminar, and founded the Spirit Training coaching method which she offers to both individuals and groups. She has been a guest lecturer for the UJA, Young Israel, Hadassa, synagogue sisterhoods and Chabad Houses around the world, addressing thousands of participants across five continents, on a wide range of topics.

Visit Tzukernik's website here and read more about her work.

NOMI FREEMAN has spent the last thirty-four years in the field of Jewish education, with a strong emphasis on spirituality and mysticism. She served as principal at Oholei Chinuch schools in Argentina, and as Head of Judaic studies at Ohr Menachem Academy, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. She's lectured extensively throughout North America, and is part of the staff at Machon Maor in Toronto. Freeman is married to Rabbi Tzvi Freeman and is the daughter of renowned Argentinian Kabbalist, Professor Avraham Polichenko, of blessed memory.

Several of Freeman's lectures can be viewed here.

ESTHER RACHEL RUSSELL, MA. is a writer, performer, producer, laughter therapist and the creator of the Comedy Improvisation Workshop: Simcha Poretz Geder – Joy Breaks Barriers. Through various interactive, improvisational and comedic exercises, workshop participants use joy to break through limiting patterns and open channels of possibility in their lives. Russel’s improv comedy career began at the famous Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles where she wrote and performed. Most recently, she performed in the acclaimed off-Broadway comedy, A Match Made in Manhattan. An accomplished screenwriter and playwright, Russell is currently an adjunct professor of Screenwriting at Stern College in New York City. She studied acting and film and received her Master's degree in Theater at NYU. In her previous incarnation she worked as a producer/writer in Hollywood.

Visit Russell's website to read more about her and her work.

SHELLY DEMBE has a passion for healthy living and twenty-six years experience inspiring others toward optimum physical, nutritional and emotional health. She is the owner of A Healthier Balance where in addition to offering group and private yoga classes, Dembe meets with individuals for personal training, weight loss, yoga for anxiety and depression, and health counseling. Her credentials include the following: Registered Nurse, BSN; ACSM Personal Trainer; 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance; Lifeforce Yoga Practitioner for Anxiety and Depression. Her sessions at Bais Chana’s Berkshires retreat will aim to please not punish so even if you have no experience with yoga, you’re going to have some fun.

Visit Dembe's website to read more about her and her work.

KAILA LASKY is a dynamic, charismatic motivational speaker and educator. A former actress and broker/sales team trainer in the Manhattan luxury real estate market, Kaila is an experienced speaker who focuses on women's issues, education, personal growth and spiritual awakening. In addition to speaking across the U.S. and internationally for organizations, institutions, universities and schools, Lasky has developed numerous programs and projects for non-profit organizations and is a featured lecturer for the speakers bureaus of National Jewish Federation, Aish HaTorah, Jewish Speakers Group and Chabad International. Lasky gives regular “Workout for the Soul” classes in the tri-state region.

Visit Lasky's website to read more about her and her work.

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? Sign up 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.

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.

Sign up 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: $290 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.

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 800.473.4801.

Click here for rates and early application discounts.

Sign up now.