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NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

halom and welcome to the Fifth Annual Sinai Scholars NationalRetreat! We hope that you are as excited as we are for this

special opportunity to unite students from across North America infive days of learning and inspiration.

We trust that the luxurious accommodations at the Hyatt RegencyHotel will make your stay as comfortable as possible. Please enjoyaccess to the shops and cafés in the Reston Town Center. Takeadvantage of our pool, sauna, Roman Spa, Fitness Center, full-service Business Center and hotel shops throughout the retreat.

Recreational activities in the program include a boat ride on thePotomac, a visit to the Air and Space Museum, and access to theReston town center.

Our exceptional faculty has been drawn from across the globe tobring you the best both in Jewish scholarship and leadership. Duringthe retreat, you will have the privilege to learn from suchexceptional personalities as Mr. Nathan Lewin, Esq. one of thetop lawyers in America, Rabbi Simon Jacobson director of theMeaningful Life Center, Mrs. Rivka Slonim, international authorand renowned speaker, Mr. George Allen, the former governor andsenator of the state of Virginia, and Mr. George Rohr, the principalbenefactor of the Sinai Scholars Society.

We will be offering a wide range of classes covering topics asdiverse as Nazi hunting and food technology, dating and leadershipskills, Kabalistic quantum physics and Jewish humor. All thesepersonalities and areas of inquiry will promote your investigation ofthis year’s retreat theme – to help you continue to build “YourJewish Story.”

We hope that you will enjoy the outstanding range of learning andactivities at this year’s retreat. We are here to help make your stayboth meaningful and comfortable, please come to us with any

3THE HYATT REGENCY – RESTON, VA

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Welcome

4 NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT

questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate tocontact any of our staff with any of your concerns.

For added security, and so everyone can get to know you, pleasewear your nametags at all times.

Thank you for coming, those who’ve traveled far, and those whocame from near by to share in the exceptional experiences of theSinai Scholars National Retreat!

Looking forward to our time together,

On behalf of the Sinai Scholars Retreat staff and faculty:

Rabbi Yitzchok DubovDirector, Sinai Scholars Society

Miss Rachel FertelMiss Hadassah NazmiyalSinai Scholars Retreat Coordinators

Mr. and Mrs. Shmuli and Malka ShtulmanSinai Scholars Retreat Welcoming Committee

How to use this program guide.You will find “tags” next to each session, refer to them to betterunderstand the content and style of each session. This will helpyou choose sessions that will be most meaningful to you.Each session has been categorized by both content and style.

Tags for content include: • Jewish Fact/Info: where you will examine traditional Jewishtexts or listen to historical and general Jewish content.

• Values/Ethics: Includes sessions that challenge life valuesand question world ethics through the lens of Torah.

• Skills • Inspiration: You will be exposed to a new life skillor inspired by personal journeys and challenges.

Tags for style will help you anticipate the format of the session.Tags for style include:

• Lecture: Featuring more frontal lecturing with Q&A.

• Group Discussion: less lecture, more interactive or story based session.

• Hands On • Story • Text Based: Additional tags to help break down the style of the session.

Welcome

FacultyRabbi Zalman Abraham

Author, Marketing Director, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Mr. Andrew AidmanBA, Religion, Film - University of Miami

The Hon. George Allen Former United States Senator; Former Governor of Virginia

Mr. Bruce BackmanSenior Research Analyst, Fox News;Retreat Coordinator, National Jewish Retreat;Former Aide, Former New York Governor George Pataki

Rabbi Hillel BaronDirector, Lubavitch Center of Howard County

Rabbi Berel BellJudge, Rabbinical Court of Montreal;Dean, Kollel Beis Yosef for Advanced Talmudic Studies;Author, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Rabbi Moshe BryskiDirector, Chabad of the Conejo (Agoura Hills, CA);Founder, Conejo Jewish Academy

Mrs. Matty BryskiCo-Director, Chabad of the Conejo (Agoura Hills, CA)

Rabbi Boruch CohenCoordinator, JLI National Jewish Retreat

Mrs. Batsheva CohenCo-Director, Chabad of Hebron, Israel

Rabbi Danny CohenDirector, Chabad of Hebron, Israel

Rabbi Shalom DeitschDirector, Chabad-Lubavitch of Northern Virginia

Rabbi Levi Deitsch Director, Chabad of Tysons Corner, VA

Mrs. Chanie Deitsch Co-Director, Chabad-Lubavitch of Northern Virginia

Mrs. Chavi EpsteinCo-Director, Chabad Lubavitch of South Carolina;Lecturer and Musician; Founder, Niggun Workshop Seminar


Faculty


Rabbi Hesh EpsteinChairman, Executive Committee, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute;Chairman, The National Jewish Retreat;Executive Director, Chabad Lubavitch of South Carolina;Executive Director, Columbia Jewish Day School

Rabbi Leibel FajnlandDirector, Chabad-Lubavitch of Reston and Herndon, VA

Rabbi Tzvi FreemanTeam Leader, Ask the Rabbi, Chabad.org; Author and Lecturer

Mr. Bradley GordonDirector, Policy and Governmental Affairs, The American Israel PublicAffairs Committee (AIPAC)

Dr. Gill HeartBiomedical Engineer; Entrepreneur and Lecturer; Former Commanding Officer, Special Forces, Israel Defense Force

Rabbi Avrohom JacksRabbi, Cong. Zichron Kedoshim, Montreal, Canada

Cantor Sholom JacobsConcert and recording artist; guest chazzan, U.S. and worldwide;Chazzan, Chabad of the Five Towns (NY);President and CEO, Jacobs Real Estate Advisors, Lawrence, NY

Rabbi Simon JacobsonDirector, Meaningful Life Center;Author, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute;Noted Author, Lecturer, Social Commentator

Rabbi Moshe KotlarskyVice Chairman, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch –Lubavitch World Headquarters;Chairman, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute;Chairman, International Conference of Shluchim

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky Member of The Secretariat of The Lubavitcher Rebbe;Chairman, Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, and Machne Israel, the educational and social services arms of Chabad Lubavitch; Rabbi Krinsky was named by Newsweek as the most influential Rabbiin America.

Mr. Nathan Lewin, Esq.Prominent Washington, D.C. Attorney;Renowned Advocate for First Amendment Rights; Former American President, International Association of JewishLawyers and Jurists; Lewin & Lewin, LLP

Faculty

Rabbi Nissan MangelPhilosopher, Author, Lecturer; Authority on Kabbalah, Chabad Chasidut,the Holocaust (survivor), and Jewish Jurisprudence

Rabbi Efraim MintzExecutive Director, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Mrs. Shaina B. MintzCamp Director, National Jewish Retreat;Faculty Member, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Mr. Eli RosenbaumAttorney and Investigator, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of SpecialInvestigations (WWII Era Crimes); Author

Mr. George RohrPresident, New Century Holdings; Chairman, The Rohr Family Foundation;Principal Benefactor, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Professor Jonathan SarnaProfessor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University;Director, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, Brandeis University;Chief Historian, National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia);Member, Academic Advisory Board,The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Rabbi Levi Shemtov Director, American Friends of Lubavitch (Washington, DC)

Rabbi Yitzchak ShochetRabbi, Mill Hill Synagogue, England; Lecturer and Author

Mrs. Rivkah SlonimCo-Director, Chabad House at Binghamton University (NY);Author, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute; Author and Lecturer

Rabbi Eliezer SneidermanDirector, Chabad Center for Jewish Life, University of Delaware

Mrs. Miryam SwerdlovInternational Lecturer; Teacher of Jewish History

Mrs. Shimona TzukernikFounder and Director, Omek Learning Center for Women;Author, The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute,Corporate Trainer, Lecturer, Mentor

Rabbi Simcha WeinsteinDirector, Chabad of Clinton Hill and Pratt University (NY); Author


Faculty

Faculty

NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT 8

Arts and EntertainmentAvraham Fried

International Chassidic recording and concert artist

Stuart GreenwaldWines and spirits expert; Kosher Specialist, Shoppers Vineyard

Joshua LondonWines and spirits expert; Lecturer, Writer, Teacher

Michoel MuchnikChassidic Artist and Illustrator

Jamey TurnerGlass Harpist

Marc WeinerComedian, Puppeteer, Creator, ProducerCreator and Former Host, Weinerville (MTV 1993-1996)

Rabbi Shlomie CheinDirector, Chabad at University of California, S. Cruz

Rabbi Yitzchok Dubov Director, Sinai Scholars Society

Rabbi Dovid GurevitchDirector, Chabad at UCLA

Rabbi Eliezer SneidermanDirector, Chabad at University of Delaware

Rabbi Adam SteinDirector, Chabad at SUNY and Stony Brook

Rabbi Yisroel WilhelmDirector, Chabad at University of Colorado

Mrs. Deena DubovCo-director, Sinai Scholars Society

Mrs. Roni SneidermanCo-director, Chabad at University of Delaware

Mrs. Chana TiechtelCo-director, Chabad at Arizona State University

Staff

WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 18

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4:00 p.m. Orientation and Introduction to Retreat themeRegency BallroomPresenter: Sinai Scholars Staff and FacultyWelcome to the luxurious Four-Diamond Hyatt Regency inReston, Virginia for the fifth annual Sinai Scholars NationalRetreat. Once you have registered at our welcome desk at thehotel entrance, and received your room key, get settled and stopat “The Conservatory” center café for some deliciousrefreshments. This will be followed by an orientation in whichthe speakers will introduce our retreat theme: “Your JewishStory,” an over-arching frame through which you cancontextualize your many dynamic experiences here over the nextfive days. At the orientation you will also be split into smallergroups in order to foster a greater sense of community withinthe larger conference. Orientation begins at 4:00 p.m. in theRegency Ballroom. We look forward to meeting you there!

6:00 p.m.Mincha Grand Ballroom EFG

Wine Tasting Grand Ballroom FoyerJoshua E. LondonJoshua London has been drinking, writing and speakingprofessionally about wines and spirits for well over a decade.As the spirits lecturer for TasteDC, a food and drink educationaland social organization in the Washington, DC area, Josh hasconducted dozens of wine and whisky tastings as well as taughtclasses on kosher wines and the kashrus issues of Scotch,whisky, and other spirits. Join us and learn why the Talmud says,

“There is no gladness without wine.”Our sincerest thanks to the Kedem Wine Company for theirgenerous donation of products for this wine tasting session.

6:15 p.m.Dinner Grand ballroom ABCDEntertainment:Glass Harpist Jamey Turner

Wednesday

4:00-6:15pm

Guest Speaker: The Hunter Grand ballroom ABCDMr. Eli Rosenbaum, Esq.America’s greatest Nazi hunter recounts his efforts working withthe U.S. Department of Justice to identify, investigate, andprosecute Nazi war criminals. Born ten years after the fall ofNazi Germany, Rosenbaum has dedicated the past 30 years ofhis life to bringing Nazi war crimes to justice. His stories aresure to thrill and inform you.

8:15 p.m. Ice Breakers!Lake Anne AB/Lake AudubonPresenters: Sinai Scholars Staff and FacultyHaven’t bonded yet through Jewish geography? Beyond simplytelling us your favorite ice cream flavor, these ice breakers willmake schmoozing easy and warm the air in no time.

Group Reflections Lake Anne AB/Lake Audubon

Is your mind boggled by all this new information? Is your headspinning by the end of the day? Are you wandering around thehotel lobby in search of some down-time to reflect? Great.These student-driven nightly meetings were designed to helpyou tie your experiences here into your own life, giving you timeto reflect in a casual atmosphere through provocative grouplead discussions and arguments. This is a place to ask all yourquestions, give personal feedback to newly learned materialand to keep everything you are learning applicable. At the endof this session you will also pre-register for sessions to give youan opportunity to think ahead so you can pick the session that isbest for you.

Sinai Scholars Farbrengens Location: TBD

Le’chaim! Join us and Farbrengen the night away in a warm andintimate atmosphere. Welcome to those who already know andlove Farbrengens as well as to Farbrengen first-timers. This isan opportunity not to be missed. You will quickly taste the joy ofChasidic flavor after a couple of Jewish jokes, beautiful stories,and lively songs, and somewhere along the way you are sure tofall in love with this Chasidic traditional schmoozing session!


Wednesday

6:15-8:15pm

Wednesday

10:25-11:50am

Wednesday

11:50am-2:00pm

Do You Believe in Angels? Regency BRabbi Moshe BryskiThroughout the Bible, Rabbinic teachings, and liturgicalprayers, references are made to G-d’s angels, appointed tofulfill specific functions and tasks. This workshop will go

beyond the abstract concept of the Holy Hosts, beckoning usto recognize the presence of angels in our own lives. A mostinspirational and uplifting exercise.

Your Money or Your Life: Recalibrating Values in a Global Recession

Lake ThoreauRabbi Shmuel KaplanNational bailouts, economic recession and Ponzi schemes:What is the world coming to? The Talmud relates that at theend of our lives we are each asked, “Did you conduct yourbusiness affairs with honesty?” This session will provide alook at the Torah’s views on white collar crimes and thepeople who commit them.

It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Gefilte Fish: Kosher Cooking with Chef Jack

Lake FairfaxChef Jack SilbersteinAward-winning Chef Jack Silberstein is a graduate of theprestigious Culinary Institute of America and has held

THURSDAY,AUGUST 19

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Hands-onSTYLE

SkillsCONTENT

7:30 a.m. Meditation and Movement Lake Anne AHadassah NazmiyalWe’ve been invigorating our minds and neshamas. What aboutthe body? If you enjoyed our last class join us again in thishealing workout. Learn stretches geared to invigorate and alignthe body, as well as poses for muscular strengthening, andtechniques for self-massage and Qi Gong! For women only.

7:45 a.m.Men’s Beginners’ Services Lake Fairfax

Do you ever feel lost in the synagogue? Does the Hebrew liturgyswim before your eyes? Join us for a special beginners’ servicefor those looking to gain a deeper appreciation of the basics ofprayer, and the how-tos of talking to G-d.

Women’s Beginners’ Services Lake ThoreauMrs. Chavi EpsteinMrs. Epstein uses her skills as a musician and teacher to helpyou gain a deeper personal appreciation of the Modeh Ani,morning blessings, and the first paragraph of the Shema.Increase your familiarity and fluency with these prayers through song..

Shacharit Grand Ballroom EFG

A traditional minyan, paced appropriately for those fluent inHebrew reading and who regularly participate in organizedprayer.

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast Grand Ballroom ABCD

Thursday

7:30-8:00am


Hands-onStory

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Jewish Fact/InfoSkills

Inspiration

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LectureStory

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Values/EthicsInspiration

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Text basedLecture

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Jewish Fact/InfoCONTENT

THE HYATT REGENCY – RESTON, VA 15

Thursday

9:00-am

9:00 a.m. Mind in Control - Behind Enemy LinesLake AudubonDr. Gill HartLearn, practice and acquire a Kabbalah-based Mind In Controltechnique to deal with stress, taught by a former commandingofficer of a Special Forces, commando unit in the IsraeliDefense Forces (IDF).

Jewish at Harvard Law in the 1950’sLake Anne AMr. Nathan Lewin, Esq.Nat Lewin is one of the top lawyers in the country. He has doneextensive work in his field, and in particular will share with ussome of his background dealing with 1st amendment issues. Hewill also paint us a picture of his time at Harvard Law in the1950’s, and describe the highlights and lowlights of hisexperiences being Jewish on campus. He will share his story,the challenges and struggles he faced and most importantlyhow he dealt with them and through his persistence,transcended them.

Quantum Torah: Physics and Torah UntangledLake Anne BRabbi Zalman M. AbrahamWe stand at the brink of a new age as we witness themysterious world of quantum physics opening up before oureyes, divulging secrets that attest to the truths of centuries-oldkabbalistic constructs. Just how unified are we with the matterthat inhabits our universe? Can our positive thoughts actuallycreate a positive reality? In this session we explore ideas inquantum physics and their parallels in kabbalistic thought as weseek to understand the fabric of our universe and how it canenhance the way we live our lives.


10:25 a.m.The Chozrim: Psyche Shabbat Scribes of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Lake AudubonRabbi Simon JacobsonIn this session, Simon Jacobson, a veteran speaker of worldrenown and the director of the Meaningful Life Center in NewYork, who was himself a member of the chozrim (A network ofpeople charged with the awesome task of transcribing frommemory forty years of the Rebbe’s profound and academicallyexhaustive 4-8 hour talks for posterity) will share with us hisincredible experiences and the life long lessons in bittul (self-nullification), focus, and integrity that he has taken from hiswork. Humility is not as many believe, degrading. As a well-known quote goes, humility is “not thinking less of yourself, justthinking of yourself less.” Without the practice of bittul, RabbiJacobson’s work would have been impossible. Through his talkhe reveals to us both how the whole apparatus of Chozrimfunctioned, and the even more compelling information about hispersonal methods of retaining deep, and many times completelyrevolutionary insights by exercising and focusing his mind. Hedescribes how it is possible to actually change the naturaltendencies of one’s mind that integrate, color and distortinformation and teaches the techniques he employed to retaininformation in its purest form, to master the rare and ever-increasingly valuable skill of truly listening.

Shtick ShiftLake Anne ARabbi Simcha WeinsteinJoin Rabbi Weinstein, a Rabbi, and humorist on this hilarioussession on the history and context of American Jewish humor. Itis hard to overstate the influence Jewish people have had onmodern comedy from Groucho Marx, to Adam Sandler, toSeinfeld and Jon Stuart. The second-generation immigrants whobecame Borscht Belt tummlers pretty much invented stand-upas we know it, with rhythms and a style that resonate down thedecades – after all, what is stand-up but formalized kvetching?

Thursday

10:25am

LectureSTYLE

SkillsJewish Fact/Info

CONTENT

Group DiscussionSTYLE

InspirationCONTENT

Mitzvah Workshop Series 1 of 3 Lake Anne BRabbi Hillel Baron In this special hands-on session series, learn about kosher food,make your own shofar and practice scribal arts in three uniqueworkshops. In the first session, called Kosher Kreations, youwill explore the complexities of modern kashrut, see how easyit is to find kosher food anywhere, find out how to keep akosher kitchen at home or in your dorm and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the Hyatt Regency became kosher for sixdays for the National Jewish Retreat.

11:50 a.m. Israel and the Iranian Nuclear ThreatLake AudubonMr. Bradley GordonPolitical science majors, Israel lovers, and truly all thinking, andconcerned Jews alike should find this session extremelyilluminating whether or not you have been following the news.Israel says it would regard an Iranian nuclear weaponscapability as an intolerable threat to its survival. Americaargues for restraint, encouraging sanctions, negotiations andimplicit threats of military action to stop Iran’s illicit nuclearprogram. How successful has this strategy been? What areIsrael ‘s alternatives? When speaking about writing yourpersonal Jewish story stay informed and up to date on what’shappening in the world as it pertains to our Jewish homeland –now is just the latest chapter in a 3,000-year-old nationwideJewish story.

Don’t Believe It! The role of faith in your life.Lake Anne ARabbi Yehudah Shemtov Can I be a “good Jew” if I struggle with faith?”Is faith a crutch deployed when all else fails or is it theroadmap to successful living? In Jewish tradition, faith is morethan just believing in the Creator of the universe. It’s aboutaccessing and feeling an extraordinary power in every fiber ofyour being.This engaging lecture will take you on an exciting journey intoyour inner space and to a vantage point of clearer perspectiveof life’s opportunities and challenges.


Thursday

10:25-11:50am

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LectureGroup Discussion

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Mitzvah Workshop Series 2 of 3Lake Anne BRabbi Hillel Baron If you enjoyed part one in the mitzvah workshop series join usfor Shofar Spectacular, where you can make your own realshofar and discover why blowing a ram’s horn is the centralmitzvah for the approaching holiday of Rosh Hashana.

1:15 p.m. – LunchGrand Ballroom ABCDRabbi Shalom DeitschWelcome, on behalf of Chabad of Northern VA

2:00 p.m. The Qualities of LeadershipLake Anne ABPresenters: Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and Mr. George RohrIn this exclusive session for Sinai Scholars students, listen asRabbi Kotlarsky and Mr. Rohr, underwriter of the Sinai ScholarsSociety, address what it means to be a Jewish leader andphilanthropist. This is a rare privilege to meet with the men whohave made Sinai Scholars possible.

3:30 p.m. Welcome to Fox “Jews”Lake Anne AMr. Bruce BackmanMr. Backman is a research analyst for Fox News who graduallybecame more observant on a journey that took him fromMontreal to New York, where he began by working as apolitical/policy researcher for former Senate candidate RickLazio, and now works as the personal research analyst for thedirector of Fox News. He will share interesting stories aboutintegrating Torah into his everyday life while holding a high-powered job, and balancing his friends, family, and otherresponsibilities.

Thursday

11:50am-3:30pm

Hands-onSTYLE

SkillsCONTENT

LectureGroup Discussion

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Group DiscussionStory

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Stories Series Part I: Ethics Lake AudubonRabbi Eliezer Sneiderman In this unique series, Rabbi Sneiderman analyzes andjuxtaposes different texts as they pertain to ethics, family,success and failure. In Part One he focuses on connectingBiblical stories to Jewish ethical teachings, and in the processreminds us about the powerful relationship we experience withthese ancient stories, and the palpable effect they still have onour daily lives.

Getting High on the High HolidaysLake Anne BMrs. Chana DeitschPhases and aspects of our year are reflected and effected bywhat we do during the High Holidays. In this class, discover theimpetus to everything that happens in your year and how youcan control it. Mrs. Deitsch uncovers the relationships betweendifferent sections of the Holiday services, and different times ofthe year, emotions, and areas of our lives. Get inspired for theholidays with a fresh, more introspective, relevant andmeaningful guide to High Holiday services!

4:45 pmTaking Charge in an Era of VolatilityLake Anne ARabbi Leibel FajnlandRabbi Fajnland takes us through a journey outlining the Jewishideal of leadership. Using Adam as our guide, we will revisitEden. If you have questions about how Eden is relevant to ourinconstant modern world, this is the class for you. This sessionwill include a discussion about the beginning of time, wheneverything was perfect, except one thing: free will. Learn moreabout why God, in a stroke of artistic genius created animperfect world, and reveal the perhaps just as intriguing storyof how the choices Adam and Eve made in a few hours changedthe course of human history. A serpent, a mysterious Tree ofLife, two almost angelic beings living in a garden of completeparadise: What is this story really about? Is it truly as simplisticas it seems at first glance? What did Adam and Eve actuallywant to achieve by eating from the Tree? Explore the behind thescenes story while you revisit an era of volatility.


Thursday

3:30-4:45pm

Text BasedGroup Discussion

STYLE

Values/EthicsSkills

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LectureText Based

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Jewish Fact/InfoInspiration

Skills

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LectureText Based

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Jewish Fact/InfoValues/Ethics

CONTENT


Tame Your Emotional Roller CoasterLake AudubonRabbi Avrohom Jacks, Certified Rabbi and Life CoachThis session is structured as a practical guide for applyingJewish wisdom to the challenging task of navigating emotionssuch as anxiety, stress, anger, jealousy and love. What does theTorah prescribe as a remedy for balancing our lives and refiningour characters? What tools for emotional growth can I takehome from this conference?

Mitzvah Workshop Series 3 of 3Lake Anne BRabbi Hillel BaronLast, but certainly not least, join us for session three of themitzvah workshops! In Scribe Jive you will investigate thesimilarities between tefillin, Torah scrolls and mezuzot, learn tocut and write with your own quill and make your Jewish nameon a piece of parchment.

Soul Strings: The Secret Power of Chassidic Song (For women only)Lake ThoreauMrs. Chavi EpsteinA special workshop for women that will generate joy andenergy, empowering women to access their own simchahthrough the nigunim, traditional chassidic melodies. Throughshort stories, chassidic insights, and group melody, becomeinspired and develop a deeper connection to G-d.

5:45 p.m.Group Reflections Lake Anne AB/Lake Audubon

Is your mind boggled by all this new information? Is your headspinning by the end of the day? Are you wandering around thehotel lobby in search of some down-time to reflect? Great.These student-driven nightly meetings were designed to helpyou tie your experiences here into your own life, giving you timeto reflect in a casual atmosphere through provocative grouplead discussions and arguments. This is a place to ask all yourquestions, give personal feedback to newly learned materialand to keep everything you are learning applicable. At the endof each session you will also pre-register for sessions for thenext day to give you an opportunity to think ahead so you canpick the session that is best for you.

Thursday

4:45-5:45pm


Values/EthicsSkills

Inspiration

CONTENT

Hands OnSTYLE

SkillsCONTENT

StoryHands On

STYLE

InspirationSkills

CONTENT

Group DiscussionHands On

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InspirationCONTENT

Mincha Grand Ballroom EFG

Art Exhibit Grand Ballroom Foyer

Scotch TastingGrand Ballroom Foyer

Our sincerest thanks to Shopper’s Vineyard Wine and Spirits fortheir generous donation of products for this Scotch tastingsession, and to Stuart Greenwald for his expert assistance.

6:30 p.m. – Dinner Grand Ballroom ABCD

Rabbi Yehuda KrinskyGreetings

Rabbi Moshe KotlarskyJLI: The Ultimate Jewish Learning Experience

Keynote AddressGeorge Allen, Former Governor and Former U.S. Senator from VirginiaFormer Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen believes thatone of the pillars of a free and just society is religious freedom.From his time as Governor through his term in the U.S. Senate,he has exhibited a great understanding and appreciation forreligious tolerance and freedom, including when he learned ofhis Jewish heritage and the story of his mother surviving Nazirule in Tunisia.

8:30 p.m. Avraham Fried in Concert Grand Ballroom EFG and CorridorMaster of Ceremonies: Rabbi Moshe BryskiJoin us for an unforgettable mix of traditional and modernJewish music with Chassidic superstar Avraham Fried.Experience the exuberant joy of group song and dance.


Thursday

5:45-8:30pm

9:45 p.m. SHARP Meet in lobby to board busses to cruise

11:00 p.m. Capital in Lights: Midnight Cruise What could be more exciting than having your own yacht for theevening? What could be more breathtaking than viewing thenation’s capital from the water? We may not agree on muchhere in the District of Partisanship, but here’s one truism we canall get behind: You don’t ever want to drink the water from thePotomac - but you definitely want to drink on the Potomac everychance you get. Join us for a magnificent evening; our Thursdaymidnight cruise in the Capital. We’ll set sail from theWashington Marina just below the National Mall and pass bythe Presidential Yacht, the Titanic Memorial and General’s Row.We’ll continue around East Potomac Park and continue up‘monuments way’. Finally, we’ll position the boat ‘center stage’,between the Jefferson Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Sitback with a cold drink in your hand and watch while thecountry’s greatest monuments are lit up. The Potomac will neverfeel more like the Seine. Bon voyage!

Maariv


Thursday

9:45-11:00pm

Thursday

3:30-4:45pm

FRIDAY,AUGUST 20

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7:30 a.m. Meditation and Movement Lake Anne A Hadassah NazmiyalWe’ve been invigorating our minds and neshamas. What aboutthe body? If you enjoyed our last class join us again in thishealing workout. Learn stretches geared to invigorate and alignthe body, as well as poses for muscular strengthening, andtechniques for self-massage and Qi Gong! For women only.

7:45 a.m.ShacharitGrand Ballroom EFG

A traditional minyan paced appropriately for those fluent inHebrew reading and who regularly participate in organizedprayer.

Men’s Beginners’ Services Lake Fairfax

Do you ever feel lost in the synagogue? Does the Hebrew liturgyswim before your eyes? Join us for a special beginners’ service,for those looking to gain a deeper appreciation of the basics ofprayer, and the how-tos of talking to G-d.

Women’s Beginners Services Lake ThoreauMrs. Matty BryskiGain a deeper personal appreciation of the Morning Prayerservice, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase yourfamiliarity and fluency with selected prayers, through the powerof music, dance, and song.


Friday

7:30-8:00am

Hands-onSTYLE

SkillsCONTENT

9:00 a.m. Chassidic Art: Personal Story on CanvasLake Anne AMichoel MuchnikMichoel Muchnik, through his artwork, has followed the Rebbe’sideal for what art should achieve. He has taken the brush, paint,canvas and clay and implanted within them a spiritual life force.Experience for yourself the delight of Mr. Muchnik’s masterfulartistic skill combined with and energized by the teachings ofChassidus.

You Are What You Eat?! Lake Anne BRabbi Berel BellAre You What You Eat? – If so, you might be in serious trouble.Learn about what they’re really putting in your food and howJudaism deals with the revolution in modern food technology.

A Crash Course in Jewish HistoryLake AudubonMrs. Miryam SwerdlovDo you ever get confused about who did what when? Come,journey through the 3,000 years of Jewish history and discoverthrough laughter and tears the amazing story of the Jewishnation.

10:25 a.m.Challah Baking Grand BallroomMrs. Chavi Epstein and Mrs. Matty BryskiIn general, challah refers to the two loaves of bread that formthe core of the Shabbat meal. But in its more basic and halachicmeaning, challah is the piece of dough that is separated andconsecrated to G-d every time we bake bread. Replete withspiritual meaning, it is one of the three primary mitzvot of theJewish woman. For more than a hundred generations, Jewishwomen have fulfilled this beautiful and life-transformingmitzvah.


Friday

9:00-10:25am


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LectureStory

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Jewish Fact/InfoSkills

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Jewish Leaders: Holy Heroes or Human Beings?Lake AudubonRabbi Yitzchak SchochetThis session presents portraits of figures from Jewish history,such as Adam, the Patriarchs and Moses. We will be exploringwhat made them unique. Were the spiritual super-stars in the Torah stories some rarebreed of superhero, or were they natural and yet completelyactualized human beings?We will consider the question, ‘What makes a Jewish leader’by examining their heroism and spiritual loftiness and considerwhether we can ever become the same by searching for thehero inside ourselves.

Authentic Yeshiva Session10:20 – 11:25 a.m.

The Love Triangle: Part ILake Anne AMrs. Rivka SlonimRachel, Leah and Jacob: A struggle of Cosmic ForcesTricked by his father-in-law, Jacob married not just twowives but two sisters! In this environment, he and hiswives raised the twelve tribes of Israel. This text-based,quick-paced study uncovers the profound strata of meaningwithin one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible. Part I of two sessions.

11:35 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.The Love Triangle: Part IILake Anne AMrs. Rivka SlonimRachel, Leah and Jacob: A struggle of Cosmic ForcesTricked by his father-in-law, Jacob married not just twowives but two sisters! In this environment, he and hiswives raised the twelve tribes of Israel. This text based,quick-paced study uncovers the profound strata of meaningwithin one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible. Part II of two sessions.


Friday

10:20am-11:50am/1:00pm

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Group DiscussionLecture

Text BasedStory

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11:50 a.m. – WorkshopFrom Krakow to Krypton: Jews, Comics and the Creation of the SuperheroLake Anne BRabbi Simcha WeinsteinComic-book heroes like Batman and Superman disguisethemselves to save the world, but are they also disguisingtheir Jewish values?

Hevron – Past, Present and Future…Lake AudubonRabbi & Mrs Danny CohenRabbi and Rebbetzin Cohen give us a first hand account ofliving with the brave settlers who established the modernJewish community in Hebron. They will illustrate for us thereality of living daily under the constant threat of terror. Theywill also speak about the unique role of the Chabad Shliachin Hebron, serving chicken soup to soldiers on rooftop guardduty Friday nights, erecting a giant Menorah on the hill ofAbu Sneneh and reviving the study of Chassidus in the citythat was once the Chabad capital of Eretz Yisroel.

1:00 p.m. – Lunch Grand Ballroom ABCD

Welcome, from Rabbi Levi Shemtov, American Friends ofLubavitch in Washington, DC: Capital Sparks — InsideTidbits of Chabad’s Presence in the Nation’s Capital.

2:00 p.m.Stories Series Part II: Family Lake AudubonRabbi Eliezer SniedermanIn this unique series, Rabbi Sneiderman analyzes andjuxtaposes different texts as they pertain to ethics, family,success and failure. In Part Two he focuses on the idea offamily within Judaism and the Biblical representations andimages of family life. In our process of discovery we see onceagain the powerful connection we experience with theseancient stories, and the palpable effect they still have on ourdaily lives.


Friday

11:50am-2:00pm


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Jewish Fact/InfoInspiration

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Make “His-Story” Your Story: Find Yourself in the BibleLake Anne ARabbi Shlomie CheinThe Torah was written over 3,000 years ago and I’m living in2010! How can the Torah possibly understand or relate to mycontemporary struggles? In this class you will learn how tosee your own modern day dilemmas in the Biblical narrative.Take a deeper look as you discover the Torah’s timelessrelevance, and apply its lessons - even miracles - to yourcurrent challenges. We will use the little known story ofElisha and the poor woman as a case study illustrating thenarrative’s personal relevance in what was once perhapsperceived as a one-dimensional historical reading.

Death and Mourning Traditions and Life On The Other SideLake Anne BRabbi Yisroel Wilhelm Learn to cope with the most difficult times in life in auniquely Jewish way. Nothing can make dealing with deatheasy. Torah however, provides us with an incredible supportsystem of traditions, community, and an entire infrastructureof opportunities for introspection. Through tradition we betterunderstand the different phases of mourning. We don’t getstuck in our grief, but instead know the times to appropriatelymourn in a healthy way, and the times to pick ourselves upfrom our desire to linger in loss and return to life. We willalso consider many things related to the passing of soulsfrom this world. What does death mean? Where do souls goonce they leave our bodies? And most urgently for us, whatdo we, who are left behind do in this world?

3:10 p.m. Special ExcursionMeet in the lobbyRabbi Zalman AbrahamExplore the outer limits at the “Smithsonian National Air andSpace Museum-Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center” Opened inDecember, 2003, this world class facility houses the largestcollection of aviation and space artifacts in the world.Glimpse the Apollo 11 Command Module, “Columbia”. Viewthe famous Enola Gay.

Friday

2:00-3:10pm



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InspirationJewish Fact/Info

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Friday

3:10pm-5:45pm

Stories Series, Part III: Success and Failure Lake Anne ARabbi Eliezer SniedermanIn this unique series, Rabbi Sneiderman analyzes andjuxtaposes different texts as they pertain to ethics, family,success and failure. In Part Three he focuses on the ever-prevalent concepts of success and failure, from the perspectiveof a keen Jewish eye, guided once again by the rich stories ofthe Biblical narrative. In our process of discovery we see onceagain the powerful connection we experience with theseancient stories, and the palpable effect they still have on ourdaily lives.

Mystic MarriageLake Anne BMr. Andrew AidmanWe all know that Judaism believes in marriage, but all toooften the path to your other half is paved in struggle. In thislecture we will first take a look at the more mystical side of themale/ female relationship, and then focus on the practicalaspects. Does Judaism believe in soul mates? Why did Godcreate two sexes? Does Judaism offer any advice for making arelationship last? These and many other questions will beaddressed in this class.

4:15 p.m.Free Time to Prepare for Shabbat

5:00 p.m. – Pre-Shabbat Reception Ballroom Foyer

5:45 p.m. – Group Photo Grand Ballroom EFG

Shabbat: A Taste of the World to Come Grand Ballroom EFGMrs. Rivkah SlonimThe sages of the kabbalah speak of Shabbat as time when

“Za and Nukvah” — the masculine and feminine — were united.Gain a deeper understanding of these esoteric terms in akabbalistic look at gender relations, Shabbat, and the world tocome.


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6:45 p.m. – Candle Lighting Ballroom Foyer

The Shabbat candles have ushered the holiness of Shabbatinto the Jewish home for thousands of years, ever since thematriarch Sarah illuminated her tent with her Friday nightlights. The primary functions of the Shabbat candles are tobring peace and tranquility into the home, and to enhance ourenjoyment of the Shabbat meal, revealing the unseen andintangible G-dly energy which permeates our existence.

Welcoming the Shabbat Queen Ballroom FoyerMrs. Miryam SwerdlovGain a deeper understanding of Shabbat and the femininesoul, in this special talk during the mystical twilight hoursthat bridge the mundane and the Divine.

Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat Grand Ballroom EFGCantor Sholom Jacobs

7:45 p.m. – Shabbat Dinner Grand Ballroom ABCD

Keynote Address: American Jewry: The Good, The Bad, and TheUglyRabbi Yitzchak Shochet

Dessert Ballroom Foyer

9:45 p.m. Fabrengens/Group Reflection: Lake Anne AB/Lake Audubon

The usual informal nightly meetings will be happening aroundthe farbrengen table tonight. Reflect in a casual atmospherethrough provocative discussions, and arguments. This is aplace to ask all your questions, give personal feedback tonewly learned material and to keep everything you arelearning relevant.

Friday

6:45-9:45pm


Group DiscussionHands On

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InspirationCONTENT

Friday

7:30-8:45pmTuesday

7:30-8:45pm

SHABBAT,AUGUST 21

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7:30 a.m. – Light morning snack Grand Ballroom ABCD

8:30 a.m. – WorkshopsLiving With the Times: Chassidic Insights onParshat Ki Teitzei Regency BMrs. Rivkah SlonimGet a glimpse at the insights and thoughts of the LubavitcherRebbe on the weekly Torah portion, as Mrs. Slonim analyzes theparshah in the light of the Rebbe’s penetrating chassidiccommentary.

Tanya: The Surprising Power of Repentance Regency ARabbi Shalom RaichikDoes G-d really expect me to be perfect? What is my role in this world, and how can I perfect myself when I feel soflawed? Join Rabbi Raichik in applying the teachings of Tanya,the fundamental work of Chabad chassidic thought, in our daily struggles.

9:15 a.m. – DaveningMain Service Grand Ballroom EFG

Shabbat morning prayers include two services: Shacharit(“morning” prayer) and Musaf (“additional” prayer). Whileprayer is a daily mitzvah, Shabbat is a truly opportune time foryour soul to commune with her Creator, free as she is of theworries and concerns of the workaday world. Indeed, theShabbat prayers exclude the usual requests for materialsustenance and other physical needs, including instead morepsalms and spiritually inspiring prayers — all accompanied witheach community’s traditional Shabbat tunes.

Men’s Beginners’ Services Regency ARabbi Elchonon LisbonDo you ever feel lost in the synagogue? Does the Hebrew liturgyswim before your eyes? Join us for a special beginners’ servicefor those looking to gain a deeper appreciation of the basics ofprayer, and the how-tos of talking to G-d.

Shabbat

7:30-9:15am

Women’s Beginners’ Service Regency BMrs. Matty BryskiGain a deeper personal appreciation of the Morning Prayer serv-ice, through discussion of key daily prayers. Increase your famil-iarity and fluency with selected prayers, through the power ofmusic, dance, and song.

10:15 a.m. – Sermon Grand Ballroom EFG

The Power of MemoriesRabbi Moshe Bryski

Does it really matter that our children remember the Holocaust?The Jewish nation is not a people of history, as much as apeople of memory. Memory is alive: intrinsic and personal.


Keynote Address:Facing the Final TestRabbi Moshe Kotlarsky

2:00 p.m.Women OnlyPerspectives on Love and DatingLake AudubonRivka Slonim, and ShluchosHow does Judaism create a structure to support meaningful andfulfilling relationships? How are men’s and women’s needsaddressed within the context of Jewish marriage? In thisinteractive workshop, we will explore Jewish attitudes towardlove, marriage, and intimacy.


Shabbat

9:15am-2:00pm


SkillsValues/EthicsInspiration

CONTENT

Men onlySession I

“What’s her name again?”:Exploring Goal-Oriented RelationshipsLake Anne ASinai Scholars Staff When a different girl every night isn’t enough any more, whatare the secrets to finding the right person? Why are divorcerates in traditional Jewish circles insignificant compared tosecular American statistics? Is there a reason to stop and thinkbefore I keep dating? When popular media runs too shallow,where should I look for guidance? Is there anything relevant tomy dating life in Judaism? This is an open session. Ask anyquestions you may have on topics ranging from dating, to sex,to love.

Session II

Underneath the Veil: A Closer Look at JewishMarriageLake Anne BSinai Scholars Staff Are you interested to know more about the way orthodox Jewsdate? This session provides a brief “how-to” in the Jewishsystem of “Shidduch” dating. Do you get to see your bridebefore you marry her? What is the truth behind the hole in thesheet rumor? What is family purity? Why is it important to keepthe laws of mikvah? These and many more topics will bediscussed in this session.

3:15 p.m. – Free Time

4:30 p.m. “Priorities!”Lake AudubonRabbi Yisroel Wilhelm & Rabbi Shlomie CheinTo change it up, come to a game of quick decisions. Jump into around of “Priorities.” Think fast on your feet because the cardsare shuffled and pulled completely at random and you are goingto have to make some fast choices!

Shabbat

2:00-4:30pm




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Shabbat

4:30-7:30pm

Farbrengens

Men’s Farbrengen Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? ANovel Approach to an Age-Old QuestionRegency ABRabbi Yitzchak Shochet and Rabbi Berel BellFrom the Holocaust to personal challenges, explore a sensitiveapproach to dealing with adversity and making sense ofseemingly senseless human suffering.

Women’s FarbrengenNourishing Myself, My Spouse, and My FamilyLake FairfaxMrs. Miryam Swerdlov

Behind Closed Doors (For women only)Lake ThoreauMrs. Rivkah SlonimBring all the questions you’ve hesitated to ask, to this “RapWith the Rebbetzin” session. No holds barred.

6:00 p.m. – Keynote AddressSnatching Hope from the Clutches of Despair Grand Ballroom EFGRabbi Moshe BryskiFrom the microcosm to the world at large, we confront a newwave of disconcerting — even depressing — turns of events:recessions, lay-offs, Intifada, political discord. Discover thepromise and opportunity within adversity, with these preciouspearls of timeless Jewish wisdom.

7:00 p.m. – Mincha Grand Ballroom EFG

7:30 p.m. – Shalosh SeudosLife in the Wild, Wild West Bank!Grand Ballroom ABCDRabbi and Mrs. Danny and Batsheva CohenLearn about life behind the Green Line and the rebirth ofJudaism in Hebron, the city of our fathers, in this humorous andtouching talk.

Shabbat

8:40-10:45pm


8:40 p.m. – Maariv Grand Ballroom EFG

Havdalah Conservatory

10:00 p.m. Live from Weinerville Grand Ballroom ABCDMarc WeinerComedian/ba’al teshuvah Marc Weiner returns to theNational Jewish Retreat with an all new show. Laugh as youlearn, for in Weiner’s world, everything’s sacred but nothing’sprofane.

10:45 p.m. – Melaveh MalkahGrand Ballroom ABCD

Experience the afterglow of Shabbat as we escort thedeparting Shabbat Queen. The tradition includes the givingover of stories about the Ba’al Shem Tov, the founder ofChassidism.

Sunday

11:00am-1:30pmSunday

8:00-11:00amFriday

7:30-8:45pmTuesday

7:30-8:45pm

SUNDAY,AUGUST 22

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8:00 a.m. – Shacharit Grand Ballroom EFG


9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Resource Fair Grand Ballroom Foyer

9:30 a.m. Stump The Rabbi Location TBDSinai Scholars Retreat Staff and FacultyThis is an open forum for debate and discussion with topics setby questions taken from the audience. Bring that questionyou’ve been avoiding because you don’t want to offend theRabbis. No question is off limits; no subject is too controversial;no challenge shirked!

11:00 a.m. Closing Session Location TBDSinai Scholars Retreat StaffTime to wrap it all up! In the beginning we opened up the boxof “Your Jewish Story,” and now we will tie the box up andhand it back to take with you. Summarize the sessions,conclude the group reflections, challenge yourselves to take aserious look at what you’ve learned during the course of the lastcouple of days. What will you take home from this experience?


1:30 p.m. – Farewell

Sunday

8:00am-1:30pm

Hands OnSTYLE

SkillsValues/Ethics

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Friends I met at the retreat

��

��In the merit of bringing the concept of the National JewishRetreat to fruition, and their ongoing efforts to bring the love of Torah to Jews worldwide, may our words of study here

stand them in good stead.

May G-d grant them and all their loved ones health and happiness, and may they be blessed with extraordinary

success in all their endeavors.

Brought to you by:

The Sinai Scholars SocietyA joint project of Chabad on Campus and

the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

822 Eastern Parkway | Brooklyn, NY 11213Tel 718.221.6900 Fax 718.221.6907 Web www.SinaiScholars.com

Documents

NATIONAL EWISH ETREAT August 18–22, 2010 gWa, 'kukt cWh-wj