BREAK OUT. BREAK IN.
Mission
Envisioning personal and communal transformation rooted in Jewish heritage and the natural world.
Vision
Breaking out to break in to personal and social change
The first step is back, out of our daily norms and routines, in order to access our inner vitality. Natural settings, forests and streams, allow us to release and realign. Beyond the city streets, we break out of the four walls in which our tradition is often encountered in order to discover the personal relationship and wisdom we hold within.
Ultimately, inner transformation effects our homes, our communities, and our societies. Lech~Lecha's adventures seek to inspire social change by renewing personal energy, creativity, and alignment.
Ultimately, inner transformation effects our homes, our communities, and our societies. Lech~Lecha's adventures seek to inspire social change by renewing personal energy, creativity, and alignment.
Mutual Empowerment & pluralism
With 20-30 years under our belts, we each have skills and experiences to share. We gather as a team of seekers, each of us contributing to our communal growth and discovery, facilitating based on our skills and experiences.
In each of us bringing our personal practice, we inspire one another to shine greater vibrance into our individual journeys and relationships with our ancestral heritage. All adventures are kosher and shomer Shabbat, honoring individual practice and fully supporting observance of mitzvot.
In each of us bringing our personal practice, we inspire one another to shine greater vibrance into our individual journeys and relationships with our ancestral heritage. All adventures are kosher and shomer Shabbat, honoring individual practice and fully supporting observance of mitzvot.
Connection
Our journey builds genuine and lasting connections. We journey with a small group of peers, 10-15 per adventure, and come out bonded on the other end. Our community is a supportive network of peers seeking to challenge one another to grow and embrace one another for who we are.
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COVID-19 Protocols
We will be making great efforts this summer to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Our programming models safe and responsible gathering in small groups, outdoors, and socially distanced. Accommodations are individualized and food & utensils allocated to each participant. The protocols listed below detail our efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering and spreading in our facility and are based on American Camp Association's guidance based on CDC recommendations in conversations medical professionals..
Our programming models safe and responsible gathering in small groups, outdoors, and socially distanced. Accommodations are individualized and food & utensils allocated to each participant. The protocols listed below detail our efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering and spreading in our facility and are based on American Camp Association's guidance based on CDC recommendations in conversations medical professionals..
PRE-SCREENING & Transportation
Availability of testing varies by state. We recommend that participants pass at least one COVID-19 test during the week prior to attendance (we recommend getting that test on the Sunday or Monday prior to your session in order to ensure that you receive the results in time). If you are unable to receive this test we will suffice with the pre-screening, below.
An individual with any symptoms (fever of 100.4 °F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, vomiting, etc.) within the two weeks prior to a retreat will not be able to join us this summer. Additionally an individual who has themselves or whose household members have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the two weeks prior to a retreat will not be able to join us this summer. All down-payments will be returned if this is the case.
Additionally, we will be screening upon arrival confirming that participants have either received a negative test result or have not had any symptoms over the previous two weeks and have not interacted with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. We will also be taking temperatures to ensure they are under 100.4 °F.
We will not be offering group transportation or pickup from public transportation this summer.
An individual with any symptoms (fever of 100.4 °F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, vomiting, etc.) within the two weeks prior to a retreat will not be able to join us this summer. Additionally an individual who has themselves or whose household members have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the two weeks prior to a retreat will not be able to join us this summer. All down-payments will be returned if this is the case.
Additionally, we will be screening upon arrival confirming that participants have either received a negative test result or have not had any symptoms over the previous two weeks and have not interacted with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. We will also be taking temperatures to ensure they are under 100.4 °F.
We will not be offering group transportation or pickup from public transportation this summer.
SOCIAL DISTANCING & 100% OUTDOORS. Facemasks
Our activities will be held outdoors. Wide open-air tarp coverings will be utilized for various activities and in the event of rain. This model greatly diminishes likelihood of spreading germs and viruses. All of our programming is structured to support social distancing, from hiking to meditations to eating meals.
The ACA based on CDC recommendations does not require campers to wear face masks when maintaining social distance. That being said, there are times, such as singing and loud conversation, during which social distance may not be sufficient and masks will be requested. We should come with masks and will wear them on occasion but will not be required to do so throughout our stay.
Talking or Singing - wear a mask.
The ACA based on CDC recommendations does not require campers to wear face masks when maintaining social distance. That being said, there are times, such as singing and loud conversation, during which social distance may not be sufficient and masks will be requested. We should come with masks and will wear them on occasion but will not be required to do so throughout our stay.
Talking or Singing - wear a mask.
MINIMIZING SHARED ITEMS & DISINFECTING SURFACES
Each of us will sleep in our own tents.
Our bathroom door can be kicked open by foot and each of us will have our own toilet paper roll.
We are profoundly minimizing shared surfaces, as well. Each of us will have our own bowls, cups & utensilsOther project items may need to be shared and will be disinfected between users.
Our bathroom door can be kicked open by foot and each of us will have our own toilet paper roll.
We are profoundly minimizing shared surfaces, as well. Each of us will have our own bowls, cups & utensilsOther project items may need to be shared and will be disinfected between users.
FOOD & HANDWASHING
Anyone participating in food preparation must wear disposable gloves and a mask.
Food will be served individually with gloves and mask rather than buffet or family style.
In the food tent: wear a mask, no talking.
Washing/disinfecting hands will be constantly available, especially prior to every meal.
Food will be served individually with gloves and mask rather than buffet or family style.
In the food tent: wear a mask, no talking.
Washing/disinfecting hands will be constantly available, especially prior to every meal.
First aid within six feet & Showing symptoms
In the event you get scraped, sprain an ankle, or need first aid for any reason, we'll have to come within six feet of one another. In any event such as this when we step within six feet of one another we will disinfect hands and wear masks.
If a participant is showing any COVID-19 symptoms we'll have you self-isolate or return home. Considering the strict protocol throughout our retreats, we hope the retreats will be able to continue, though of course each participant has the choice to return home at any time.
If a participant is showing any COVID-19 symptoms we'll have you self-isolate or return home. Considering the strict protocol throughout our retreats, we hope the retreats will be able to continue, though of course each participant has the choice to return home at any time.
EMergency procedures
Two emergency rooms are in very close proximity to campus, open 24-hours a day: Lehigh valley hospital–pocono - 9 minutes away, St. Luke's monroe campus emergency room - 12 minutes away. We do not have a medical professional on campus.
Retreats Summer 2020
Location
This summer our retreats will be base camping in the gorgeous Pocono forests of Monroe County, PA. We are renting a beautifully wooded land, an open-air playground for the soul. The location is a bit over 2 hours from NY & Philadelphia and a 4 hour ride from Boston & DC. We will share location address and details upon registration as a security measure.
Peer-Led & Small Group
We'll have facilitators at each retreat who will take a leadership role in organizing and designing our adventure. You can find a few listed here. These retreats, though, are ours. We'll learn from and share with one another. Our facilitators will create a framework that supports our process as a group, weaving each of our contributions into a wholesome journey.
Each retreat will have between 10-15 participants.
Dates & Timing
Thursday retreats will start at 4pm. Friday retreats begin at 11am.
All retreats will end on Sunday at noon with an optional afternoon hike.
This summer our retreats will be base camping in the gorgeous Pocono forests of Monroe County, PA. We are renting a beautifully wooded land, an open-air playground for the soul. The location is a bit over 2 hours from NY & Philadelphia and a 4 hour ride from Boston & DC. We will share location address and details upon registration as a security measure.
Peer-Led & Small Group
We'll have facilitators at each retreat who will take a leadership role in organizing and designing our adventure. You can find a few listed here. These retreats, though, are ours. We'll learn from and share with one another. Our facilitators will create a framework that supports our process as a group, weaving each of our contributions into a wholesome journey.
Each retreat will have between 10-15 participants.
Dates & Timing
Thursday retreats will start at 4pm. Friday retreats begin at 11am.
All retreats will end on Sunday at noon with an optional afternoon hike.
July 2 [Thr] - 5: Meditation, Movement, and Music
Sitting and walking meditations, musical experiences in song and instrument, movement and qigong. Both personal growth and group bonding will be integral to our experience. A segment of the retreat will be in silence, but much of the gathering will facilitate conversation and connection. All backgrounds in meditation are welcome, from beginner to expert, and each of us are invited to facilitate segments of our experience together.
July 10 [Fri] - 12: Shabbat in the Woods
Shabbat under the stars, among the trees and the breeze, connecting through meaningful conversation, meditation, movement, and song.
July 24 [Fri] - 26: Community Re-designed
We live in highly splintered and individualized societies. Our hearts are pining for co-creation. Let's envision and live a model of true community.
July 31 [Fri] - August 2: Sharing Torah, Sharing Song
Learn, discuss, and share. Excavating to the depths of Shabbat and prayer, opening our minds and hearts to discovering new and old. And singing. A lot.
August 7 [Fri] - 9: Abolition & Liberation
What is freedom? Is incarceration justice? What is the justice we pursue? Inward Out, we'll explore and grow together. Bring your thoughts, bring your confusion, bring your passion for genuine societal transformation.
Cost
We are committed to offering Lech Lecha ~ לך לך to all, regardless of financial ability. Please be in touch if relevant.
Cost for all programming is a sliding scale based on financial ability between $72 - $218.
We will be providing food, land, tent, light mattress, and all other communal gear.
Sitting and walking meditations, musical experiences in song and instrument, movement and qigong. Both personal growth and group bonding will be integral to our experience. A segment of the retreat will be in silence, but much of the gathering will facilitate conversation and connection. All backgrounds in meditation are welcome, from beginner to expert, and each of us are invited to facilitate segments of our experience together.
July 10 [Fri] - 12: Shabbat in the Woods
Shabbat under the stars, among the trees and the breeze, connecting through meaningful conversation, meditation, movement, and song.
July 24 [Fri] - 26: Community Re-designed
We live in highly splintered and individualized societies. Our hearts are pining for co-creation. Let's envision and live a model of true community.
July 31 [Fri] - August 2: Sharing Torah, Sharing Song
Learn, discuss, and share. Excavating to the depths of Shabbat and prayer, opening our minds and hearts to discovering new and old. And singing. A lot.
August 7 [Fri] - 9: Abolition & Liberation
What is freedom? Is incarceration justice? What is the justice we pursue? Inward Out, we'll explore and grow together. Bring your thoughts, bring your confusion, bring your passion for genuine societal transformation.
Cost
We are committed to offering Lech Lecha ~ לך לך to all, regardless of financial ability. Please be in touch if relevant.
Cost for all programming is a sliding scale based on financial ability between $72 - $218.
We will be providing food, land, tent, light mattress, and all other communal gear.
Sample Retreat Schedule
Movement, Meditation, & Music Retreat
We're adults, all program participation is optional. We'll ask you in the registration form how you'd like to partake in facilitation. The nature of our communal prayer will be based on participant interest and what we choose to create together.
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Friday
11:00 - Opening Circle 11:30 - Into the Woods - clear the mind, connect in simplicity 1:00 - Satiate the Body 1:45 - Meditation & Song Workshop 3:15 - Yoga 4:00 - Building Shabbat, Cooking, and Baking Challah 6:00 - Down Time 8:00 - Kabbalat Shabbat 9:00 - Shabbat Dinner & Singing All forms of Shabbat observance are honored and traditional observance of Shabbat and Kashrut is fully supported. |
Shabbat Day - Silent day aside from singing & prayer.
8:30 - Light Breakfast 9:00 - Movement & Prayer 10:30 - If we had eyes - Morning Meditation 11:30 - Down time, Hang on the Hammock 1:00 - Satiate the Body 2:15 - Down time: Wander down the Creek, Hike the Hills, Take a Nap 5:00 - If I Could Fly - Meditation, Movement, and Dreaming workshop 7:00 - Seudah Shilishit & Let it Flow - Getting Lost in Song 8:30 - Havdallah & Dance Party |
Sunday
8:00 - Qi Gong 8:30 - Morning Meditation & Prayer 9:30 - Break the Fast 10:15 - Meditation 11:00 - Speak to Me; I will listen - Hitbodedut & Writing 12:00 - Down Time, Take a Hike 1:00 - Satiate the Body 2:00 - Sharing in Pairs & Small Groups 3:00 - Closing Circle 4:00 - Thank you! |
Testimonials
"Journeying into the wilderness builds unity and togetherness. A short time away from distraction with a bit of guidance can transform a person's perspective and do wonders for their spiritual health."
- Yirmiyahu Gilbert
"What experiences did I find most meaningful? EVERYTHING! No but actually...the final brachas at the end were a beautiful (and time-consuming) way to end. Kabbalat Shabbat and really everything Friday evening. The talk at the peak on Thursday. spontaneous and unplanned moments. participant-led activities. Everything!"
- Gilah Barker
- Yirmiyahu Gilbert
"What experiences did I find most meaningful? EVERYTHING! No but actually...the final brachas at the end were a beautiful (and time-consuming) way to end. Kabbalat Shabbat and really everything Friday evening. The talk at the peak on Thursday. spontaneous and unplanned moments. participant-led activities. Everything!"
- Gilah Barker
