JYCM New York/Northeast Climate Education & Action Retreat + Shabbaton
March 29-31, 2024 at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Overview
Adamah’s JYCM Northeast Climate Education and Action Retreat is an opportunity for Jewish teens with a passion for environmentalism and climate action to come together, learn, and bond. JYCM members from the New York/northeast region will participate in a song-filled and spiritually uplifting Shabbat, with opportunities to connect to nature and each other, all while learning about issues of climate justice and how to take action in their local communities.
Together we will:
get outside, connect with nature, and build community;
participate in workshops, Jewish environmental educational programming, and plan climate-focused projects to work on in our communities;
connect to Jewish traditions and rituals in new and creative ways, experiencing the intersection of Judaism with the natural word;
leave with concrete skills and learning, a feeling of being connected to a network of Jewish peers, and deeper connection to their Jewish identity.
Retreat Details
Facilities:Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, located on 400 acres in Falls Village, CT, is a year-round farm-to-table kosher pluralistic retreat center that serves over 6,000 guests of all ages and backgrounds each year. We produce retreats focused on Jewish holidays, food, music, meditation, yoga, and more. We also host dozens of synagogues and professional groups each year, as well as weddings, b’nai mitzvot, and other private events.
Staff & Safety:All staff members will be first aid and CPR certified. In the event of a medical emergency, your child will be brought to Sharon Hospital (15 minutes away) by ambulance only. A note about COVID: We will be following the Isabella Freedman gathering policies which will be reviewed regularly and are based on the best health science available to its staff.
Food: All meals will be provided in the dining hall. All food is kosher, certified by the Hartford Kashrut Commission. Special arrangements can be made for those with food allergies.
At the retreat you can expect an exciting mix of Jewish climate education, time to hang out with old friends and make new ones, and a meaningful Shabbat experience. Each day there are discussion groups or experiences specifically designed to strengthen your knowledge of climate change and build community among JYCM members in the northeast region, and feel equipped to take home what you learn and create positive change in your community.
When and where is the Retreat?
The retreat is March 29-31, 2024, at the beautiful Isabella Freedman Retreat Center in the Berkshires.
What do I need to know about travel arrangements?
There will be a retreat-sponsored bus, departing from New York City on Friday morning (the 29th), likely around 11am, with the time to be solidified closer to the retreat date. The bus will also be stopping in Stamford, CT for one additional pickup. We will share pickup locations and exact timing with registered participants by the end of January. Participants are responsible for covering any additional travel costs, but please contact us if this is a barrier, as we have scholarships and travel stipends available.
If you are organizing your own transportation, all participants should plan to arrive by 2pm on Friday, March 29th. Depending on how many people are planning to arrive by train at the Wassaic Train Station in in Wassaic, New York (along the Metro North line, easy access from NYC), we will either provide a shuttle or can help arrange taxi pickups.
The bus will be departing from Isabella Freedman on Sunday, March 31st by 2pm, with stops in Stamford, CT and ending in New York City. If you are being picked up or taking the train, please schedule a ride/train for after 3pm.
If you are arriving by plane, please try and either land in NYC and make it in time for the 11am bus departure there, or book a flight landing in Hartford, CT, and plan to arrange an Uber/Taxi/other ride to arrive at Isabella Freedman by 2pm Eastern Time.
Who can attend?
Any teen in 8th-12th grade with an interest in climate justice, Jewish environmental education, community building, and teen activism more broadly, is welcome to attend, though the majority of participants will be from the New York City metro area.
When and how do I register?
Registration is now open! Register by submitting this form – spots are limited and filling quickly, so sign up soon!
What is the registration cost?
To cover room, board, transportation getting to and from Isabella Freedman at the beginning and end of the retreat, and the various expenses associated with running a retreat, the full cost of attendance is $350 (including bus transportation to and from New York City if you choose to take the group bus). Any other personal transportation to and from the retreat is not covered.
To honor and center equity, and make sure cost is not a barrier to entry for any member of JYCM, we are asking for a sliding scale between $180-$350. We appreciate anyone who can pay in full to support those who cannot pay in full, and help offset some of our additional expenses. Additional scholarships are available. Please let us know if cost is a barrier to participation, and we will discuss options.
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes! Please contact Adamah’s Youth Empowerment Director, Liana Rothman (liana.rothman@adamah.org) if cost is a barrier to participation.
Shabbat Observance Practices
JYCM is a pluralistic movement and our members observe shabbat in different ways. Participants can choose who they would like to room with at the retreat based on Shabbat observance practices and preferences. In public spaces and for all retreat programming, we will observe Shabbat traditionally, which includes not using electronics, not playing instruments, not writing, and not turning on/off lights. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Who will I room with?
Participants will be in rooms of various sizes, and you can request up to three friends to room with. While we can’t guarantee that all requests are fulfilled, we will do our best to fulfill mutual requests.
What are the COVID protocols for the JYCM Northeast Education and Action Retreat?
We are working with the staff of Isabella Freedman to ensure we are prioritizing safety in all of our procedures and plans for the retreat.
Testing requirements:
Please make sure that you take a rapid test the day before the retreat (on Thursday, March 28th ). If you test positive for COVID, we will reimburse your registration cost and ask that you not attend. If you are feeling at all unwell, or have reason to believe you were exposed to COVID, please let us know, and we will work with you to consider what options might be.
