New Year's in Chassidim

6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5B 5L 5D

Simi Valley, CA

At a Glance

Make your way to Southern California to ring in 2019 with a New Year’s Gala. Celebrate Shabbat with a traditional celebration and dinner, and engage in a scholarly investigation throughout the week on the following topics: The Art of Israel, Jewish Music, and Inventing and Re-Inventing Jewish Identity. Activities also include campus walks, bingo, a book club and evening activities.

Activity Level

Easy Going

Minimal walking and standing on this program.

Best of all, you'll ...

Embark on a visually stimulating journey through the Art of Israel.
Examine Jewish Music through songs of worship, songs of healing and songs of togetherness (we may even sing together!).
Delve into a fascinating exploration of Jewish Identity by examining some of the earliest Jewish texts. How do they speak to us today?

Featured Expert

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John Paul Thornton

John Paul is an artist, educator and speaker and the author of “Art and Courage: Stories to Inspire the Artist-Warrior Within.” John Paul focused his Bachelor’s studies on the works of Hans Burkhardt and Saul Bernstein. He has lectured at institutions around the world including American Jewish University, Famllian Campus and Skirball Cultural Center. He has worked with the United Nations Foundation, received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and been honored by the U.S. Congress for connecting art with social causes.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

John Paul Thornton

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Henrique Ozur Bass

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Janet Ozur Bass

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6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5 B 5 L 5 D

DAY

1

Check-in/Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Simi Valley, CA

D

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

Afternoon: Arrival, unpack and settle. Snacks will be available in Millet Circle located just behind the dining room. Orientation will be led by the program coordinator who will go over the week's schedule. You will also be introduced to other staff that will be with you during the week to make your stay with us enjoyable.

Dinner: Dinner buffet with a selection of items including veggie option.

Evening: An evening activity (icebreakers) getting to know fellow Road Scholars.

DAY

2

Class Sessions, Shabbat services and Shabbat dinner, oneg.

Simi Valley, CA

B,L,D

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

Breakfast: Staff-led early morning walk (optional), followed by a breakfast buffet.

Morning: Two lectures -- 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. as described in distributed schedule.

Lunch: Lunch Buffet with choices that include veggie option.

Afternoon: Lecture (2:00-3:30 p.m.) as described in distributed schedule. Candle lighting and Shabbat services (4:30 and 5:00 p.m.).

Dinner: Shabbat family style dinner with a selection of items including veggie option.

Evening: The evening activity is an extended and extensive dessert (Oneg Shabbat).

DAY

3

Shabbat services in AM, Classes, Havdallah in evening.

Simi Valley, CA

B,L,D

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

Breakfast: Staff-led early morning walk, followed by a breakfast buffet.

Morning: Clergy-led Shabbat morning services, followed by a morning lecture - 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., as described in distributed schedule.

Lunch: Lunch Buffet with a variety of foods including a veggie option.

Afternoon: Bingo, followed by lecture as described in distributed schedule.

Dinner: Dinner buffet, vegetarian food available.

Evening: Havdallah and an evening program as described in distributed schedule.

DAY

4

Class Sessions continued.

Simi Valley, CA

B,L,D

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

Breakfast: Staff-led optional walk, followed by a breakfast buffet.

Morning: Egalitarian Shabbat service (9:30-11:00 a.m.), followed by lectures (9:00-10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.).

Lunch: Buffet Lunch with a variety of offerings including a veggie option.

Afternoon: Afternoon lecture followed by a Book Club, as described in distributed schedule.

Dinner: Dinner buffet with a selection of items including veggie option.

Evening: Evening movie and a discussion as described in distributed schedule.

DAY

5

Classes continue, festive New Year's Eve Party in evening

Simi Valley, CA

B,L,D

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet will be served.

Morning: Two lectures -- 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. as described in distributed schedule.

Lunch: Buffet Lunch with a variety of offerings including a veggie option.

Afternoon: A lecture from 2:00-3:30 p.m. followed by an optional art class. There is plenty of time in the afternoon to get ready for our New Year's Eve celebration, which will start at 6:45 p.m. with a cocktail reception.

Dinner: New Year's Eve Celebration! Let's ring in 2018 together!

Evening: The celebration continues!

DAY

6

Final class session, the program concludes.

Simi Valley, CA

B,L

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.

Morning: Final lecture from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Time to pack, check-out (make sure to leave your keys!). We will provide assistance moving bags to cars/taxis/shuttles.

Lunch: Check out between 11:30-12:00 p.m. (pick up box lunches, return keys, etc).

Meals

15 Meals

5 Breakfasts

5 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Kosher, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

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Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 05, 2020

Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 05, 2020

Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University

5 nights

Simi Valley

This program is located on 2,700 acres of rolling hills in a beautiful conference center/camp/ranch setting. Each room has individually controlled heat and air-conditioning. They are spacious, fully-carpeted. Generous closet and drawer space. We do not provide clock radios, alarm clocks, televisions, or hair dryers. Wifi is available (free, no password required) in each room and in all meeting spaces. If you have AT&T you will not be able to make phone calls from your cell phone (their nearest tower doesn't reach our campus) - but you will be able to use whatsapp and send/receive emails.

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5 Reviews

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5 Average

Linda

Class of 2019

Freedom, PA

(5) 4 months ago

What a great opportunity to meet many Jews interested in learning more. Wonderful to meet those of other religious and ethnic affiliations who were also interested and respectful of Jewish experiences and learning.

Berta

Class of 2019

University City, MO

(5) 4 months ago

I highly recomend the Program, we want to do again next year

DUMMY

Class of 2018

Peterborough, NH

This reviewer did not give a star rating. a year ago

It was great!

Tamar

Class of 2008

Santa Barbara, CA

(5) a year ago

We will return for our third time. Wonderful way to spend the last week of the year. Great educational speakers and a New Years Eve dance party at the end with a terrific live band. We love the beautiful ranch where this really fun experience takes place. Highly recommend.

Joan

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

(5) a year ago

This program federally lived up to put expectations! Joan and Samuel Kraus