Retreat Gets Underway With Over 300 Attending From 21 States

Colorado Springs, CO — The National Jewish Retreat is presently underway at the magnificent Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs with a sold-out crowd of 300 participants from 21 states and 5 countries enjoying a series of 80 sessions, workshops, lectures and discussion groups.

A beautiful gallery of pictures in the Extended Article! (Photos by: Menachem Sarraf)

With a spectacular opening reception on the Cheyenne Mountain View Terrace, the Retreat got underway with opening remarks by the retreat Chairman Rabbi Heshy Epstein. Opening lectures were delivered by Montreal’s Dayan Rabbi Berel Bell, Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, followed by a feature film on the Six Day War and a discussion group, facilitated by Dr. Peter Kalms.

Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions featured a wide variety of lectures and seminars led by Rabbi Moshe Bryski, Rabbi Eli Silberstein, Rabbi Yossi Chazan, Professor Michael Broyde, Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, Rabbi Berel Bell, Rabbi Chaim Block,Molly Resnick, Drs. Barbara and Michael Grossman, Dr. Chana Silberstein, Rabbi Moshe Liberow, Rabbi Yisroel Engel, Mrs. Matty Bryski, Mrs. Rochel Kaplan, and Mrs. Chavie Block.

Following an outdoor water front dinner at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, Wednesday evening’s keynote was delivered by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky. The address set the retreats agenda and inspired the packed crowd in the majestic Colorado Grand Ballroom. It was followed by a lecture by the noted Professor Dr. Judea Pearl and the evening concluded with discussion groups led by Rabbi Silberstein and Mrs. Tzukernik and special film presentations.

Wednesday and Thursday featured hikes and outings around Cheyenne Mountain with outdoor study groups, followed by an evening keynote by the noted Manchester’s Rav Rabbi Yossi Chazan. A special feature concert was dedicated to George and Pamela Rohr. Rabbi Ruvi New and Rabbi Levke Kaplan entertained the 260 in attendance, followed by additional lectures, seminars and workshops and special film presentation of Early Years and evening discussion groups around the mountain.

A special delegation of Sinai Scholars comprised of select Campus students from around the country joined the retreat, and a superb camp is directed by Devora Brook, Chanie Wolosow, and Chaya Gopin.

Shabbos is expected to be attended by an additional 45 guests, bringing the total number well over 300 from around the world.