New Year's in Chassidim

6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5B 5L 5D

Simi Valley, CA

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

At a Glance

Make your way to Southern California to ring in 2018 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: Jewish Art: Sacred Colors and Worldly Triumph, Jewish Musicians in Early Los Angeles, and a Comparative Religion Course. 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 creative works of Jewish artists.
Examine the lives and music of the Jewish musicians in early Los Angeles.
Delve into a fascinating exploration of the world's major religions.

General Notes

Ring in the New Year with a special celebration!

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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6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5 B 5 L 5 D

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

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 10:45-12:15 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. Book club (short story) in the afternoon.

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

Evening: The evening activity is a film screening and discussion at 7:30 p.m. as described in distributed schedule.

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

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

Afternoon: Lecture from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Candle lighting and Shabbat services at 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: Special Shabbat dinner, served family style.

Evening: Oneg Shabbat (special dessert reception in honor of Shabbat).

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 Kiddush and a lecture from 11:30-1:00 p.m.

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

Afternoon: Bingo (2:30-3:30) and an afternoon lecture from 4:00-5:30 p.m. as described in distributed schedule.

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

Evening: Havdalah (ceremony to mark end of Shabbat), followed by evening entertainment.

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 10:45-12:15 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, Gluten Free, Low Salt, Vegetarian

Lodging

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

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Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 01, 2019

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 01, 2019

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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4 Reviews

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5 Average

Mark

Sharon, NH

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

It was great!

Tamar

Class of 2008

Goleta, CA

(5) 5 months 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) 5 months ago

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

Beverly

Class of 2017

Laguna Woods, CA

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

Relaxing. A great way to celebrate the New Year