Winter Shabbaton – The Annual CAAC Winter Retreat

MEQUON, WI [CHI] — Once again the site for this year’s winter retreat was the luxurious Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. Our guest scholar for the weekend was Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum from Pittsburgh. Our guest chazzan was Cantor Yehoshua Samuels of New York. The following are some highlights of this memorable weekend.

On Friday afternoon the families began arriving and checking in to the magnificent resort. After settling into their spacious rooms, the women and girl went to light the Shabbos candles in the main Ballroom where the Shabbos dinner would take place. Friday night services were led by Cantor Samuels. One could not help but to be touched and inspired by his beautiful and powerful voice.

After services everyone joined together for the Shabbos Dinner. The tables were set with the candles, challah, wine, salads etc. The Rabbi made Kiddush, followed by many of the families. Each course was just delicious – the gefilte fish, the steaming chicken soup and matzah balls, the chicken and all the side dishes. The singing, the l’chaims and warm conversations just added to the beauty of the evening.

After dinner, the children went to their program for games, stories and treats while the adults went to the parlor room for the lecture where a huge display of desserts, pastries, fruits and coffee was prepared. Rabbi Rosenblum gave an eye opening talk on the DNA of personal growth. He shared the chassidic perspective on enhancing one’s qualities and overcoming personal challenges. The honesty and the clarity was refreshing and inspiring.

After a good night sleep, and relaxing morning, Shabbos morning began with a breakfast of fruit, cereal, cakes, juice & coffee. Before Shacharis, Rabbi Rosenblum gave a fascinating class on the history, halacha and the politics of Shmitah (the Sabbatical year). Many great questioned were asked and answered and he explained the evens surrounding the modern day application of these laws.

Once again, Cantor Samuels did an outstanding job leading the service, his singing and cantorial pieces made the service so much more beautiful, in particular the Mussaf service was very moving. Rabbi Rosenblum gave a meaningful sermon on the role of parents in rasinng our children by serving as role models. He spoke with feeling and passion as he described the self sacrifice of those who came before us and suffered persecution, but transmitted to their children their love for the Torah and Mitzvos – and that they in fact live on through their children.

Shabbos lunch was another delicious meal: fried fish, meat wraps, cholent, salads and kugels. The singing once again added heart and soul to the afternoon. After lunch families spent time relaxing and enjoying each other’s company in the hotel. After Mincha, there was class for women by Rebbetzin Laine, while the men gathered for “Songs of the Soul” led jointly by Rabbi Rosenblum and Cantor Samuels. As Shabbos came to a close, Rabbi Rapoport did the Havdallah service and everyone went to enjoy the game room, spa and the many other services of the hotel.

At 8:00 PM the adults gathered for candle lit dinner and concert. Grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and soups was on the menu. Cantor Yehoshua Samuels did an incredible performance of “Braodway Showtunes for the Jewish Soul” (a video and recording was made to remember this performance). As he concluded there were requests for additional songs, including “My Yoddishe Mame” which he sand so well. Rabbo Rosenblum shared an appropriate message how each one of us have a responsibility to share the beauty of Judaism with others. The singing continued in an enjoyable “kumzitz’ fashion as a group of men gathered in the front and continued the concert. During all this time the children enjoyed hot dogs French fries and treats, created arts & crafts and played games.

The weekend concluded with a huge breakfast on Sunday morning of hot bagels, lox, cream cheese, fried eggs, juice, coffee & fruit.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this great weekend the success that it was. We join us year at the Shabbaton.