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by Deanna Zyndorf, Snorkeling & Study 07 Let me start off by saying that I never intentionally planned on going to Key Largo for some Jewish spiritual retreat. I admit that I’m a conservative Jew, who like many non Orthodox Jews, doesn’t keep strictly Kosher or go to services regularly. Growing up and living in a city where you can’t distinguish the Jews from the non-Jews and people view not eating bread on Passover as a sign of true religious devotion, I could not understand why the strictly religious Jews, the Orthodox Jews, refused to get with the times. Why do men continue to resemble storybook characters like Mr. Sowerberry from Oliver Twist, with their ridiculously large top hats and suits? And don’t the women ever turn on the television or glance at fashion magazines, at least at the checkout counter at the local supermarket? In the 1850s, women began to wear bloomers and then pants in the 1920s to 30s. Yet these Orthodox women continue to sport their long skirts and unrevealing shirts—not to mention, the married women wear wigs or scarves to cover their hair. These bizarre fashion statements, among other things, perplexed me. Hadn’t society reached a cultural liberation in which everyone could just do his or her own thing?
One day in December out of the blue, I got a call from the Chasidic Rabbi in Toledo, Ohio, informing me of a full scholarship offered by Bais Chana for a Jewish spiritual retreat in Key Largo with other female college students. When Rabbi Shemtov mentioned that the deadline for the application was the next day, the only thing I thought was: “Spiritual retreat, resort in Florida, warm weather.” I’m from Ohio. It didn’t take much to convince me to book a plane flight to Miami and mount a bus with a bunch of other Jewish women to the Marriott hotel in Key Largo a few weeks later. Less than a couple hours later, I step off of the cool bus and into the pleasant Florida weather where I soon settle into the reclusive yet charming hotel. I share a room with three other women from different backgrounds: one is from Russia, another from Uzbekistan, and one from South Africa. Less than an hour after leaving our suitcases in our rooms, everyone comes together and meets each other for dinner in the conference center, where we practically do everything together for the next week. And if my roommates’ cultural diversity shocked me, then the diversity of the women in the conference center left me flabbergasted. Not even in visiting New York City, referred to as the melting pot, did I see such a high concentration of people from all over the world greet each other with such warmth and openness. It was like one big Jewish family reunion, complete with food, spiritual exploration and discussion, and bonding time. From waking up in the morning until falling asleep at night, we grew stronger and wiser as we delved into our Jewish identity as “the chosen people.” During various classes, such as Tanya with Rabbi Friedman or studying the Kabbala with Rivka Slonim we discussed Judaism not only from a religious and historical standpoint but also from a very personal one. When exploring the story of Rachel and Leah, we related their distinct personality differences to ours, how each of us has both Rachel’s ability to materialize relationships and Leah’s tunnel vision and power to transform a whole city. In fusing the traits of each sister into our approach to life, we have the power to conceive and to accomplish greatness in whatever we pursue in our personal or professional lives. The more we explored such Kabbalistic aspects as well as more physical manifestations of Judaism, such as why married women hide their hair, we came to a much greater appreciation of even the minute or seemingly trivial aspects of Judaism. Before classes in the morning, between classes during the day, and after classes at night, the women would congregate and chat about what really matters: the spiritual self. This inner exploration that bonded us women also led us to explore and to admire the outer beauty of the universe. When we weren’t in the conference center, we spent time taking advantage of the relaxing and invigorating surroundings. With the beach at our fingertips, a sunset that burned vibrantly rich colors in the sky, and the opportunity to go snorkeling, jet skiing, swimming, parasailing, you name it, boredom became a foreign territory. We were too immersed in enjoying the beauty of life to lose ourselves to superficiality or negativity. The bond that we shared helped us not only to relate to one another, but also to understand how each and every one of us is a piece of the great puzzle and chosen to follow G-d’s will. However abstract this notion of will versus human desire seemed before having gone to Key Largo, I left the retreat particularly struck with the relevancy of destiny and fate in my life. At what point do coincidences become far more significant than mere coincidence? Quite simply, for anyone curious about learning about Judaism, spending time at a resort in Florida, or coming to better appreciate the beauty of nature, I encourage you to embrace this opportunity as something much more than transitory. This experience will widen your eyes unto a world far more magnificent and mysterious than our minds can ever fathom.
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