THE 8THÂ NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT
SINAI SCHOLARS
Our demanding schedules, hectic days and busy lives can leave little time for ones spiritual growth. The National Jewish Retreat each year brings the gift and opportunity for an exciting journey with inspirational and motivating scholars to experience Judaism.
The retreat is based on the principal that the power of Jewish thinking will enrich and deepen the purpose of your life. The five fully packed days of learning and discovery was taught by brilliant master Torah teachers. I, along with everyone at the retreat, was able to explore new ideas and expand our horizons in an open, safe and embracing environment.
This awesome retreat took place from August 7-11-2013. It was a remarkable adventure into the land of wisdom and knowledge. The days overflowed with insight, awareness, spirituality, lessons, tears, laughter, understanding, life changing messages and true brilliance.
The weekend was empowering, awe-inspiring, educational and lots of fun. In addition, I was able to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate my being and spirit in a lavish setting. I met new lifetime friends from all over the world. It was such a pleasure getting together and speaking with fascinating and interesting people. The experience gave me a whole new world of insight and meaning to my own life, as well as Jewish living.
Attendees were not only filled with riveting individual experiences, but discovered that Jewish life is not just for the study hall and synagogue, but for personal, day-to-day living. There was such warmth hovering over all of us for 5 beautiful days. One could actually feel the love and light of Hashem smiling down with joy over the entire retreat.
For years, hundreds of people from around the world came together for learning and recreation at the National Jewish Retreat. Building on the incredible success of past retreats, the eighth annual retreat offered a broad array of options for personal growth and enjoyment. This year’s program was designed to engage the mind and refresh the spirit. This was, without a doubt accomplished in every sense possible.
What I found particularly wonderful was that I had the opportunity to meet other people from all over the world and walks of life who are on the same spiritual path as I am. I found it comforting to know that others are also, investigating the same questions, needs, passion for learning, doubts, concerns, and each of us reflecting on the same truths. We were provided with ample opportunity to explore text and tradition with master scholars and teachers. What a remarkable and enlightening opportunity.
SCHEDULED LECTURES AND ACTIVIES:
The only negative I can say about my retreat experience was that there were at least 5 lectures going on at the same time, making it almost impossible to pick which one I wanted to attend. I wanted to go to each and every lecture offered, though impossible. So, I did the next best thing and I purchased all of the videos to take the retreat home with me and keep me on course. The ones I selected were fascinating, brilliant, filled with knowledge and intriguing ideas and philosophies. They were entertaining, sensitive, and truthful, all the while bringing a sense of awakening to each of our lives. All of the speakers were tremendous with their own unique style and delivery. I found every one of the lectures to be timely, relevant to everyday living, topical, pertinent, significant and important in today’s complex world. Simply put, they were basically life changing and awe-inspiring.
Demystifying the After life: This amazing lecture by Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet was probably my favorite of the retreat. What a profound and eloquent speaker. I was captivated by his every word. It was comforting to hear him declare that without a question of a doubt, our loved ones who have passed see us, guide us, hear us and watch over us. We can elevate their souls by doing mitzvahs in their honor. Rabbi Schochet went on to say that when you are drawn to a cause or a situation in your life, then that is your mission and purpose. When we do good deeds our angels (which we have 2 of) will lead us to good. If we do evil, they can and will leave us. He also, stated that we are born and die against our will. We don’t want to come back as we are happy with Hashem and we don’t want to leave when we get here because this is where we can make our corrections. Fascinating.
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