Women's Retreat

During the weekend of August 1, seventeen women from Peninsula Temple Sholom participated in our 3rd Annual Women's Retreat at Westminster Retreat in Alamo, CA. This year's theme was "Healthy Women - Inside and Out". The weekend began with each participant making her individual challah in preparation of the Shabbat. This year there were five women who had never attended the retreat with 12 returning from previous years. After Shabbat dinner we held our Shabbat service outside in the Meditation Garden ending the evening watching movies and eating popcorn.

The next morning started with a one hour hike for those hardy women. After breakfast Rabbi Kim Ettlinger led us in Shabbat morning service in the Garden. The day's workshops included: Yoga, Alternative Medicines for Women and Eating Healthy in a Time Crazed World.

For Havdalah, we gathered in a circle in the Garden to sing songs and end the Shabbat. That evening we auctioned off wrapped presents contributed by participants and raised $325 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The night was capped off with a chocolate fountain and all the accompaniments.

The next morning many of us took walks or hikes around the neighborhood. We gathered around after breakfast to summarize the weekend. Our retreats have been an excellent way for our Sisterhood to connect with many women who have not been involved in our Sisterhood. This year, too, we were fortunate to have Karen Strauss, the wife of Rabbi Andrew Strauss of Congregation Emanuel in Tempe, who encouraged us to plan a retreat with her Sisterhood.

ʺTo acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.ʺ

Shari Carruthers, sharic@aol.com Area Director, Northern Area - WRJ Pacific District

Sholom Women, Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA