Chesapeake Retreat

Join the National Havurah Committee, havurot, and minyanim from across the Mid-Atlantic for the NHC Chesapeake Retreat, a gathering of individuals and families of all ages and stripes. Parashat Ki Tisa mentions the “shemen mishchat kodesh”, שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קדֶֹשׁ , the “oil of sacred anointment”, that was used to sanctify the Kohanim (priests) and the Mishkan (tabernacle). A perfumed concoction, the parashah states that the Israelites were to use this holy oil over the generations. But what of the Canadian tar sands oil that’s been heatedly debated in the public sphere in recent years? What of the synthetic oils in the processed foods that line our supermarkets?

With national climate change policy on the back burner and recent debates over soda taxes, take a weekend to explore how the Jewish tradition addresses issues and questions related to our physical environment and our physical health. Does our tradition guide us in how to strike a balance between economic well-being and environmental protection? Does the Torah instruct us on how to care for and sanctify our own bodies? How are our duties to our environment and to ourselves in harmony or conflict with one another, in our texts and in our contemporary lives?

Join us right after Purim but before the Passover craze to examine these questions and enjoy a weekend of reflection, relaxation, community, learning, and music.

Save the Date

Contact chesapeake-retreat@havurah.org with your questions or to help plan the weekend.