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Girls Retreat Extended Due to Blizzard

EAST GREENBUSH, NY — What happens when a blizzard hits a retreat attended by over sixty-five girls from across the country? They get an extra day of fun, friendship, and activities! Girls from as far as Atlanta, Baltimore, and Chicago flew in to for the five day Jewish Girls Winter Retreat which was held at the the Comfort Suites and Inn in East Greenbush, NY.

The packed schedule included snow tubing, swimming, performing arts, Zumba, games, Jewish learning workshops, discussion, and more.

The retreat was scheduled to end Monday morning, but that changed when weather reports of a huge blizzard started coming in. “Parents began calling to let us know that they wouldn’t be able pick up their daughters,” said retreat director, Nechama Laber. “We had to face the reality that many of our campers wouldn’t be able to make it home on Monday.” The Labers arranged extra rooms in the hotel for the girls who would stay over Monday night.

Many of the participants from the New York area were able to make it home by Monday evening when the storm cleared up. Thirty girls whose flights or busses had been cancelled remained Monday night. “The retreat is really a family,” said co-director and publisher of YALDAH Magazine, Leah Larson. “The girls were thrilled to spend another night together. Suddenly it didn’t matter which bunk you were in, or who was staff and who was a camper.

Everyone pitched in for an incredible night.” Campers and staff worked together to prepare dinner for everyone. Older campers took over younger bunks running activities and games. Counselors quickly improvised baking activities and prepared a spa night, offering manicures, massages, and facials. “I’m so happy there was a blizzard,” one camper remarked. “I’d rather be stuck with my friends at the retreat than be stuck at home.”

This year the retreat theme was “Warming our World – Breaking the Ice!” The theme focused on finding passion and how each person can share their passion and bring warmth to the world. The blizzard was the perfect ending. While the world outside was covered in ice and snow, the girls at the retreat were filled with warmth.

The Jewish Girls Retreat offers summer and winter retreats and is a project of YALDAH Media, Inc. and Chabad of East Greenbush. For more information visit www.JewishGirlsRetreat.net.

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