A Retreat for Orthodox Parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Children
~
Friday, May 13 at 4 pm until Sunday, May 15 at 2 pm
Berkshire Hills Retreat Center
Parshat Kedoshim
FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST SCHOLAR: Rabbi Chaim Rapoport
Author of the respected work Judaism and Homosexuality: An Authentic Orthodox View
The Eshel Parent Retreat
was the first time I was fully comfortable talking to other people about my LGBT child.
—A retreat participant
Read about the parent retreat in Tablet Magazine
DOWNLOAD THE PARENT RETREAT FLYER HERE
Special Guest: Rabbi Chaim Rapoport
London based author, educator and lecturer Rabbi Chaim Rapoport lectures around the world on a broad range of topics pertaining to Jewish life and law and is the author of several scholarly books and articles including Judaism and Homosexuality: An Authentic Orthodox View. His encyclopaedic knowledge of both classical and contemporary Jewish sources alongside his unique humane sensitivity, have shaped his authentic, compassionate, and nuanced approach to the challenges of modernity. In 1998 Rapoport was appointed as a member of the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks’ Cabinet and Advisor to the Chief Rabbi on Medical Ethics. In this capacity, he served as the Chief Rabbi’s spokesperson to the media and the British medical establishment. He served in this position until the Chief Rabbi’s retirement in 2013.
Is this for me?
Whether you are accepting of your LGBT child or struggling with their identity, or somewhere in between, this is the place for you. No judgments will be made about any retreat participant’s levels of acceptance of their LGBT child. We only ask that each attendee agree to respect other participants’ feelings and attitudes.
What will happen at this weekend?
- We will create a comfortable place to share.
- You will learn new ways to relate to your child that foster understanding and Shalom Bayis (peace in the home).
- Sessions will address having an LGBT child in Orthodox families and the communities of which we are a part.
- You will meet with community members and leaders including our Guest Scholar, Rabbi Chaim Rapoport.
- You will get the support you need to be a better parent.
- Become part of this growing community of parents, educators and rabbis!
Where will it be?
Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp
159 Empire Road
Copake, NY 12516
Phone: (518) 329-3303
Getting there:
Berkshire Hills is located a couple of hours outside of NYC. Round trip bus transportation will be available from the New York and New Jersey areas at a cost. Space is limited so we suggest you reserve a spot when you register.
$35 One way
$70 Round trip
For getting to the retreat site on your own, please visit the retreat website to find out information about train, airplane and car travel to and from the retreat center. Transportation to and from the retreat is at your own expense.
Registration and Pricing
All prices include full room and board per person. Get the early bird special by March 31st, 2016!
Rates:
Early Bird – based on single occupancy:
$245 (after the early bird deadline: $285)
Early Bird – based on double occupancy:
$215 (after the early bird deadline: $245)
The early bird special ends after March 31st, 2016!
Get an Eshel gift card!
Please let us know if this retreat presents a financial challenge. We will not to turn anyone away!! Special gift cards will be available from the Eshel community to make this retreat affordable to everyone.
Please fill out this form to apply for an Eshel gift card.
Give an Eshel gift card!
Please let us know if you are able to donate a gift card to make it easier for a parent to attend the retreat who cannot otherwise attend. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will make this retreat a reality for someone else.
Please fill out this form to donate an Eshel gift card.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY:
Some participants may have important reasons for keeping their attendance at the Shabbaton confidential. You have affirmed that you WILL NOT POST OR DISTRIBUTE PHOTOGRAPHS or audio/video recordings of other attendees publicly unless you have the EXPLICIT permission of every attendee represented therein. This includes distribution or posting online on flickr, Facebook, MySpace, and similar sites, as well as anywhere else in which photographs and other representations are publicly available.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Participants who cancel their registration more than 2 weeks before an event are eligible for a refund less a $25 processing fee. Participants who cancel within the last two weeks prior to an event receive a 100% credit toward a future retreat less a $25 processing fee. If you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of the retreat or leave the retreat early no refund or credit is available.