family shabbat retreat
Shabbat, February 7 - 9 

Sign up HERE by Friday, January 10

Take a breath and join us in Waxahachie for a weekend of relaxation, joy, and bonding with friends new and old. Escape the busy-ness of Dallas and unplug for a beautiful Shabbat at camp, ending with a campfire Havdalah and s’mores.
​NEW THIS YEAR: Grandparents are invited to join our fun!

Hosted by our Retreat Team: Michelle Berger, Jennifer Charney, Julie Yochananov, and our Bubbie- and Zaydie-in-Residence Rae and Paul Wallach.

Faculty: Rabbis Shira Wallach and Adam Roffman, Sarah Lipinsky, and Sarah Katz

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Family Retreat FAQ
1. When does the retreat begin?
Plan to arrive between 4 and 5 pm so that you have time to unpack, get ready for Shabbat, and make a Shabbat-o-gram for a new friend. We will bring in Shabbat together at 5:30 pm.

2. When does the retreat end?
We want to give you most of Sunday to go home and get ready for the week; retreat programming on Sunday will just be breakfast and a special wrap-up time that will help us reflect on our experience together. You’ll be on the road by 10:30am, the latest.

3. Tell me about the retreat center!
We’re partnering with Lakeview Retreat Center in Waxahachie. It’s only an hour away, to help make it easier for you to get there. We will stay in motel-style rooms with private bathrooms. Each room has two queen-sized beds with linens, AC, WiFi, and other amenities. If you are bringing a youngster, we recommend a Pack and Play or similar sleeping situation. Be in touch if you think you’ll need more than one room for your family.

Lakeview Retreat Center also has wonderful communal spaces of all sizes. We will use a lodge common area as our gathering space, different outdoor areas for prayer and activities, and of course, the dining hall for meals.
Speaking of meals, the Retreat Center does not have a kosher kitchen, but understands our dietary needs and will prepare a fully vegetarian and delicious menu for us. They also understand Shabbat observances that pertain to food preparation and will make sure that everything is ready before Shabbat. Ovens will be left on so that food can be warmed. There is a section in the sign-up in which you can let us know about food allergies.
We will also bring a healthy supply of snacks and drinks to keep in the communal refrigerator—feel free to contribute, as long as everything is hechshered kosher/dairy/pareve. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks this year.

4. What should I pack?
We’ll publish a more detailed packing list closer to the date, but think about anything you’d need for a casual weekend getaway: comfortable clothes and shoes, toiletries, medicines, diapers, balls/frisbees, Mahjongg sets, musical instruments, kippot and talitot. The Retreat Center provides linens. Don’t bring fancy clothes— I plan to spend the whole time wearing yoga pants!

5. What’s the deal with Shabbat?
One of the most beautiful parts of this Retreat is truly unplugging, to be truly present with our families and community. We understand that there are some things that will always require our attention, but we ask that you do your best to limit screen use during Shabbat. If you must use electronics, please do so in the privacy of your own room, away from our communal areas.
To maintain a relaxed pace, the Retreat schedule is also intentioned to take away any need to rush. You’ll always have time to fit in a diaper change, bathroom break, snack break, or to finish that wonderful conversation that you started with a new friend. On Shabbat afternoon, you can choose to take a long nap, or avail yourself of a variety of free-time activities such as bouncing on a huge inflated pillow (think bouncy castle with no walls!), exploring the walking trails, playing in the gym, rock climbing, family relay races, and more!

6. Who is invited to this Retreat?
This is our fourth Shearith Family Retreat! Last year, we had programming catered for infants up through about 3rd/4th grade, and new this year, we are inviting grandparents to make our weekend extra special!
Religious School students will be excused from class on Sunday. We will make sure to offer lots of different experiences, appropriate for all ages! If you have a child who is older, but are also interested in this experience, let’s talk about how we can make it work!
You do not have to be a Shearith member to come on the Retreat! Please select the “Non-Member” rate when you register. 

7. Who’s running this thing?
Rabbi Wallach, Rabbi Roffman, Sarah Lipinsky, and Sarah Katz constitute the professional team, and this year we are SO LUCKY to partner with our volunteer Retreat Team: Michelle Berger, Jennifer Charney, Amanda Franklin, and Julie Yochananov. We also welcome visiting Bubbie Rae Wallach and Zaydie Paul Wallach.
 
​We are open to your requests and suggestions!

​Register HERE by Friday, January 10