Community Kallah – Retreat
Like Camp for Kids of all Ages
Every Memorial Day Weekend!
May 23 – 25, 2025
The weekend will be filled with learning, ritual, socializing, singing, dancing, games, and lots of food. We celebrate Shabbat with a Friday evening community service, a spiritually enriching adult Saturday morning service, and a community Havdalah ceremony. During the weekend, adults have the opportunity to study with clergy, while the kids are invited to join Kamp Kallah for fun activities. Other highlights include a multigenerational talent show, family Olympics, and campfire sing-along. There is also plenty of free time to connect with friends and forge new relationships.
Due to High Demand, Kallah is Full and Registration is Closed
You can still email communitykallah@jrctogether.org to join the waitlist.
Each spring for more than 30 years, JRC members get out of the city to spend Friday to Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend with family and friends. Join us at our new venue! This year’s Kallah will be held at the OSRUI Retreat Center on OSRUI’s lovely lakefront campus in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, familiar to many JRCers from their days as campers, counselors, or parents of campers.
Questions? Email communitykallah@jrctogether.org.
Friday Evening
We try to arrive between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm to get settled into the relaxed spirit of Shabbat and the weekend. At 6:00 pm, we have a short meet-and-greet followed by Shabbat dinner, a community Kabbalat Shabbat service, singing, and dancing. Afterward, adults will delve into our first learning session. Kamp Kallah will be open for school-age kids to enjoy snacks, games, and movies. Babysitters will be available for younger children. We close the evening with an adult late-night happy hour and schmooze.
Saturday
The schedule is full with prayer, learning, partying, free time, and food! After breakfast, Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland lead a Shabbat service, and Kamp Kallah is open for fun and games. After lunch, everyone is invited to hang out during free time. In the late afternoon, another adult learning session will be offered with activities designed to stimulate hearts and minds.
After dinner, we will host the annual talent show. You can share your talent or cheer others on as they entertain us all! We close Shabbat with a Havdalah service and bonfire singalong (complete with s’mores, of course), as well as late-night partying for those with more energy.
Sunday
After breakfast, there are participatory activities (including arts and crafts and the annual Kallah Olympics) for all ages, followed by free time, lunch, and a closing friendship circle before everyone heads home.
Kamp Kallah and Child Care
Kamp Kallah is all about the kids! Programming for kids ages 0 – 11 is available during adult learning, Shabbat morning services, and adult Onegs; individual babysitters give younger children lots of personal attention. We’ve got plenty of activities to keep your kids entertained and happy—nature hikes, sports, art, tie-dye, singing, youth services, movie night, and an ice cream sundae bar. We also try to station a couple of JRC teens in the lounge of the dorm/cabin to offer 1.5 -2 hours of evening babysitting for the little ones after you’ve put them to bed. Kallah guests 12 and up are invited to volunteer to babysit and lead activities for the younger kids under Kamp Kallah staff’s supervision.
Recreation
OSRUI is a lovely setting for an enjoyable outdoor weekend, offering a basketball court, volleyball, nature walks, or taking time to relax, read a book, or schmooze with friends, old and new. You can do as much or as little as you wish.
Dining
All food is served buffet style; vegetarian options are available upon request. We will accommodate allergies to the best of our ability.
Accommodations
We stay in basic, simple rooms with a mix of bunk beds and regular beds (one step up from tent camping, with a bed, roof, and indoor plumbing).
- All buildings have air conditioning and heat
- Linens (sheets, towels, pillow, and blanket) are included
- Most rooms include a private bathroom. Units of just 1 or 2 people may save on costs by opting for a shared bathroom (hallway or jack-and-jill style).
Volunteering: We Can't Do It Without Your Help!
Part of the magic of Kallah is the incredible contribution made by our members. In the past, participants have lead yoga for adults and kids, taught Israeli dancing, organized Ultimate Frisbee and softball games, and coordinated the bonfire. We’ve even got volunteer opportunities for kids. Check out the registration form for more details about volunteering.