Monday, January 31, 2011

 

Meet the Redneck Rabbi!



Rabbi David Sirull will once again be a Scholar-in-Residence at this year's Anshei Darom Retreat... and this year, he's bringing his guitar!

Labels: ,


Monday, January 17, 2011

 

The Darom Dozen: The 411

Hey, Guys! With the twelfth annual Anshei Darom Retreat a little over a month away, it's a good time to check off a few items of Basic Information for this year's Retreatniks. The 411, as the kids say.

Please plan to arrive at camp on Friday, February 18 no later than 4 pm. You are welcome to arrive earlier that day to enjoy paradise for the afternoon - if you wish.

Please participate in the ritual programs - don't be bashful! There is plenty of time to volunteer to lead a portion of one of the services, enlighten us with a d'var Torah, and/or read Torah. To do so, please contact Jim Handler - jim [dot] handler [at] rrd [dot] com. We'd like everyone to get a shot at participating... and you'll never find a warmer or more supportive bunch of guys to daven or lehn Torah in front of!

What should you bring?

That's the big question everyone seems to be asking about this time. Nothing too complicated:
  1. Your sense of humor

  2. A desire to meet new people

  3. Casual clothes for the entire weekend. No ties and jackets required! (For Shabbat morning, it's not a bad idea to bring a shirt with a collar... that's as dressy as things get.)

  4. Sweat hut attire - a pair of shorts and a tee shirt.

  5. Toiletries: Large towel, washcloth, soap, shower shoes. The camp provides soap and shampoo, but you can bring your own if you prefer, Mr. Fancy-Schmancy.

  6. Religious equipment: Tefillin, Tallit, Kipah. The camp will provide siddurim and chumashim, so no need to shlep your own.

  7. Misc. Equipment: Anti-snoring equipment (earplugs, clothespins, nose strips, CPAP machines). We're serious!

  8. Flashlight and Camera

  9. Optional - Your favorite pillow and an extra blanket

  10. Optional - You are welcome - nay, encouraged - to bring a bottle of your favorite spirit to enjoy and share with group Saturday evening such as: Scotch, brandy, whiskey, beer, wine, root beer, prune juice, or Gatorade™. Also, if you wish to truly raise the testosterone level that evening - bring some cigars.

Can you entertain us?
If anyone plays the guitar, harmonica, or tuba, please plan to bring it with you for the Saturday night activities. We could definitely use musical talent. If you cannot play an instrument, make sure you bring your favorite jokes to share with the guys.

For those who have not attended before!!!

How do I get there?
Check your e-mail for directions, which will have been sent to you well before Retreat Time... or hook up with one of the other attendees from your shul... or contact Steve Krodman or Howard Silverstein.

Where will I be sleeping?
This is a modern facility in the heart of the North Georgia Mountains.
The road is now paved all the way to the camp and cell phones work there (sometimes). There is electricity and running water. The bunk house is heated and the flush toilet facilities and showers are within the walls of the bunk house. No "roughing it" for these boys!

Will there be beds?
Of course!!! The camp will also provide a pillow, linens, a blanket and one
towel. (Feel free to bring a sleeping bag and tent if you want to "rough it" with Rabbi Sirull.)

What kind of Shabbat Experience will it be?
We will create a unique Shabbat experience - together. We will be observing Shabbat by not writing, smoking, using electronic devices, or taking photographs. We will wash before all meals, say Motzi and Birkat ha-Mazon. There is an eruv around the camp so you can carry and can indulge in various recreational activities... including the all-important Shabbat nap.

When should I arrive?
Please plan on arriving at camp Friday, Feb 18 between 2 and 4 pm.

Payment:
Those who have not sent in your money, please do so ASAP. Please send your check (payable to ANSHEI DAROM) for $199.00 to:

Joe Zendlovitz
Regional Treasurer
4404 Glendale Square
Nashville, TN 37204

Get ready for a WONDERFUL weekend! We're looking forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions please contact:

Steve Krodman - elisson1 [at] aol [dot] com
or
Howard Silverstein - hjsplay [at] comcast [dot] net

Labels:


 

Sign Up for the Darom Dozen!

If you haven't signed up for the Twelfth Annual Anshei Darom Regional Retreat - the Darom Dozen - what are you waiting for - an engraved invitation? The Moshiach?

This year's Retreat will be held February 18-20, 2011 at the Tumbling Waters Conference Center, AKA Camp Ramah Darom, in beautiful Clayton, Georgia.

Howard Silverstein, this year's Retreat chair, has been putting together a dynamite program with tow - count 'em! - Scholars-in-Residence. Scholar-in-Residence Aleph will be the one-and-only Redneck Rabbi, Rabbi David Sirull from Congregation Adas Yeshurun in Augusta, Georgia. Rabbi Sirull had such a wonderful time at last year's Retreat, he jumped at the opportunity to come back. (Anyone who wants to camp out by the waterfall with Rabbi Sirull is welcome to do so... but you'll want to bring your own tent and sleeping bag!) And Scholar-in-Residence Bet will be Rabbi Michael Bernstein of Congregation Gesher L'Torah of Alpharetta, Georgia. Barukh ha-Ba, Rabbi Bernstein!

As always, the Retreat will feature High Quality Jewish Experience - a completely shabbosdik weekend - a chance to put down all of the high-tech gewgaws and gimcracks, the iPads, iPhones, Droids, and BlackBerrys, the better to relax and recharge our mental and spiritual batteries.

Did someone say "What's for dinner"? We'll eat fine kosher meals, including a Saturday night cookout by the lake that will be followed by the usual l'chaims, tall tales, jokes, and The Famous Sweat Hut™.

The theme of this year's Retreat will be Healthy Bodies, Healthy Spirits, and Dr. Brian Nadolne will be there with discussions on health and wellness topics that will complement the Rabbinic presentations. We'll have a Programming Shuk where clubs can share information on their best / most popular / most successful programs. There will also be plenty of time set aside for hikes, learning, tennis and/or basketball, or relaxing: Just Plain Fun.

Some of the things you can expect:

1. A spirited Shabbat

2. Spirited brotherhood

3. Lots of good food

4. Lots of spirits

5. Lots of friends – old and new

6. Therapeutic and revitalizing yoga sessions

7. The twelfth appearance of the Famous Sweat Hut

8. A Jewish experience unique in the entire Jewish world

Make plans to attend NOW! February 18-20, 2011 at Camp Ramah Darom in the beautiful North Georgia mountains, just west of Clayton and decidedly north of Eden – the Eden Roc, that is.

The cost this year will be $199 - up less than five percent from last year. To reserve your spot, just send an e-mail to elisson1 (at) aol (dot) com, and send your check for $199 (made out to Anshei Darom Region) to our Regional Treasurer, Joe Zendlovitz:

Joe Zendlovitz
4404 Glendale Square
Nashville, TN 37204

In your e-mail, don't forget to include (1) your street address; (2) your phone number(s); (3) the name of your Men's Club; (4), whether you're a Kohen, Levi, or jest plain Israel; (5) your shirt size.

Sign up now and get ready for another excellent Retreat!

Labels:


This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?