Journey List

What to expect? 

So, what is a Jewish Learning retreat? 
Mem Global works to help young adults all over the world build a Judaism that feels like theirs. At learning retreats like this one, that includes exploring and revisiting how Jews have learned and practiced together throughout the world, and across history   
 
What will we do during the weekend? 
One of the items of the Mem Mindset is to  take care of ourselves and others, provide a welcoming Jewish community, and most importantly, have a good time! To help make this happen, we have a very exciting schedule prepared for you, which you’ll receive before the retreat. Our activities will be led by the Mem Global Retreats’ team, a guest educator, and peer facilitators. We will be learning from texts, food, songs, blog posts, paintings, and much more! There will also be times set aside for snacks, breaks and rest. Make sure to take care of yourself before and during the retreat so you can make the most of the whole experience, and let the staff know if you need extra support 
 
Where are we staying? 
In classic Mem Global fashion, the retreat won’t take place in the city, but in a beautiful venue just outside it. This is where all the programming will take place, and where we will stay overnight. 
Rooming layouts vary, but participants will typically share a room with one or two others. 

How do we get there? 
There will be a meeting point in the town where everyone will gather once they’ve arrived. From there, we’ve arranged a bus to take us all to the venue and then back to town once the retreat is finished. 
Be sure to check the last details email for the location of the meeting point and what time you’ll need to get there. You are responsible for getting to the meeting point on time!  

 How will we observe Shabbat? 
Our retreat takes place over Shabbat - which we will celebrate together through rituals, meals, learning, and rest! We welcome participants from all backgrounds and will do our best to make sure you are comfortable and can spend a meaningful, observant Shabbat with us. We will light candles, have Kabbalat Shabbat service options, say kiddush and motsi (traditional blessings) and celebrate Havdalah. Sessions during Shabbat won’t require you to use muktseh items (i.e. items incompatible with traditional observance such as pens, screens, etc.). Please note that the retreat team won’t organise shacharit (morning service). 

 
We encourage all participants to keep the space welcoming of everyone’s shabbat practice. During the retreat, feel free to share with other participants how you celebrate Shabbat at home and learn how others do, too. If you’re feeling uncertain and/or have questions or needs that we can help you with, reach out to Igal at igal.entenberg@memglobal.org to have a chat! (For instance, we would love to know about your religious practice so, if necessary, we can help you navigate lights and key cards at some of our retreat facilities.) 
 
What is it like to be part of a global Jewish community? 
This retreat might be (one of) the most international Jewish spaces you’ll have joined! We work hard to recruit people from many countries and cultures because we believe an important part of learning is what we can learn from each other.   

The retreat will take place in English but most of the participants aren’t native English speakers. Don’t worry too much about your level of English, or your knowledge of Judaism: please ask clarification questions anytime you need, define what you mean when you’re using specific terms, etc. Try to keep your conversations inclusive by inviting people of other languages and cultures to contribute, too! 

 Last but not least, the sessions will be very content-rich. Make sure you share your questions and perspectives with the group or a friend. Some of the most meaningful moments you’ll have might be the casual chat you start on your way to lunch or during breaks with a new friend or staff member. We encourage you to proactively seek those opportunities: find those people, those moments, and ask those questions! Our retreats are about creating your own learning and programming adventure. 
 
How much does it cost? 
Retreats like this are made possible by the generosity and passion of our donors, who cover most of the cost of your retreat experience. Mem Global is excited to make an investment in you by bringing you to this retreat. This is a space for you to grow, learn and take all of that back to your community, either as a Resident, or as an MHWOW Host. In return, we ask you to make a small investment into this retreat through a participation fee (typically $75 USD). This gesture shows your commitment to this retreat. 

 Mem Global also provides a travel stipend to cover your main mode of transportation to the retreat (i.e. flight or train). We ask you to pay for your ticket yourself, and once the retreat has finished and you have completed the post-retreat evaluation, you will be reimbursed for your travel cost. If you’re a Resident or an MHWOW Host, you will be reimbursed on the Mintranet. Everybody else will be reimbursed through bank transfer. 

A note on inclusion 
Another part of the Mem Mindset is to value people and create an environment where everyone is treated with respect and valued for what they bring to our community. For example, Mem Global warmly welcomes people of all genders, and during the retreat, we’ll invite all participants to share their gender pronouns during the opening circle and to write them on their lanyards.