Over a gorgeous, sunny weekend in April, 155 women of all ages gathered together for the 2nd Annual Women’s Retreat Weekend: a 3-day immersive experience with soul-filling workshops, opportunities for artistic creation, and community-guided activities like yoga, mahjong, hiking and even Forest Bathing. But beyond the activities, participants had the time and space to break out of daily routine, where the physical environment and collective experiences were infused with Jewish values. 

The retreat did a great job of balancing rest, rejuvenation, and opportunity to learn and enjoy. It’s worth saving [for the flight and to stay in The Lodge] and making this an annual gift to myself. I want to attend again next year.

– Marla, 2025 Participant

The weekend began with a welcome mixer, community building and a camp-style Kabbalat Shabbat service lead by our own Camp Director, Rabbi Allie Fischman. With a beautiful combination of traditional liturgy, musical adaptations, guided conversations and a Shabbat story, participants emerged from this Shabbat celebration awed and inspired.

Apparently, I had never heard 150 women’s voices singing together at the same time. I still get goose bumps and verklempt just thinking about it.

– Tammi, 2025 Participant

The energy and togetherness of dinner – curated and prepared by Chef Danny Robinow and his amazing team – provided comforting nourishment and the perfect warm-up for a joyful, spirit-filled Shabbat song session and Israeli dancing that rivaled that of a Camp Newman summer night! We topped off the evening with an elevated s’mores bar, campfire songs, conversations and a deep sigh of contentment.

I’ve been telling everyone that it was one of the best weekends of my life. I felt so immediately connected with many of the women, the food was top notch, the activities were wide, varied and quality. Honestly, I don’t know much that would make it better!

– Courtney, 2025 Participant

Saturday morning featured a parfait bar with fresh and fun toppings – did you know crumbled halvah is the PERFECT addition to a warm bowl of oatmeal or a DIY parfait? Chef Danny did and it was a huge hit! Then it was on to “Shabboptions” which included a Gratitude Walk, Challah Braiding, Text Study, Crochet as a Shabbat Practice, Watercolor and the Torah of Wicked. These options enabled participants to connect with the Shabbat spirit on a personal level, preparing them for the next three workshop blocks of the day.

The Women’s Weekend planning committee, comprised of participants and workshop leaders from last year’s retreat, helped to create a deeply intentional schedule allowing for flexibility, personal exploration and group experiences. The unique combination of offerings allow attendees to design the afternoon themselves – check out the workshop leaders and descriptions. 

[The workshop with Jenna on Diet Culture was] extremely impactful for me, as it allowed me to explore deep generational trauma within my own family with others in a safe space.

-Jennifer, 2025 Participant

Fueled by the most epic salad bar in history, menucha (rest time) was a welcome, unscheduled time to explore along the creek, find the perfect rock to perch on for a moment of quiet meditation, grab a book and relax around the campfire or in a rocking chair, play a lively game of pickleball, or simply soak in the sunshine with friends.

For so many women attending the retreat, it was the moments between the programming that were so powerful. For life-long friends to be together in the same space, for women seeking new connections and pre-established social groups from communities and congregations who attended together to spend time in community was priceless.

The afternoon was filled with workshops like “Dance your Bliss”, mahjong, Passover Cooking with Barb Shenson, Women of the Torah, Flowers to Wear, Yoga, Art of Jewish Gathering as well as choose-your-own adventure activities like tie-dye, beading and tea towel printing, archery and self-guided hikes.

Barb Shenson [Passover Cooking] was so good that our women’s group wants to have her do a session for us. She was organized, informative, the foods were delicious and timing before Passover was great.

– Barbara, 2025 Participant

On Sunday morning, Rabbi Laura Novak Winer, Relli Siegel and Julie Harris lead participants in a mod-podge collaging project, tapping into the idea of co-creation. Whenever we enter a space or experience with our whole selves, inevitably, when that experience is over, we have left a piece of ourselves behind. In a deeply moving moment, participants illustrated this idea by tearing off a piece of their collage which will be “woven” together to create a permanent art installation at camp. 

The joy and connectedness that was created is best summed up with words from Michelle Tandowsky, Women’s Retreat Chair:  

“There is something deep and ancient about the connections between women.  We understand each other at almost the level of our DNA.  We learn that we do best when kindred spirits — our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, friends — help us bear up under the challenges we face.  We find that our best chances for health, happiness, success, and sometimes even survival can come to us by tapping into the wisdom and strength of other women, and we find joy in doing this for each other.” 

Feeling some FOMO? Save the date for Women’s Weekend 2026: May 1-3 and be sure to pre-register to be the first to know when registration opens later this fall.