Simchat Torah - Current

DAVETREK ADVENTURES

Simchat Torah & Chol Hamoed Shabbat

Fall Foliage Weekend @ Isabella Freedman

Monday, October 13 - Sunday, October 19, 2014

Initial Rush Deadline Midnight Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014

Early Bird Deadline Midnight Monday, Sept. 29, 2014

Final RSVP Deadline Midnight Monday, October 6, 2014

“wow! best vacation I can ever remember because of how peaceful and lovely it was for us in a really hectic world and time”

Gail M. - July 4th at Isabella Freedman

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

116 Johnson Road Falls Village, CT 06031 Google map

“I had a great time and relaxed like never before enjoying all the activites and lectures… Please email me of all your other trips, which I will be going on to get away from the stress of the city!”

Betty L., July 4th at Isabella Freedman

Davetrek Contact Info

(email is the best method)

davetrekadventures@gmail.com Phone: (805) DAVETREK (328-3873)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND

Davetrek Adventures is pleased to announce our 6th Simchat Torah and Fall Foliage Weekend, and our 4th annual Simchat Torah at the beautiful Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, situated near the beautiful Berkshires in Connecticut near the MA border, which is located 2 hours from New York City and 2.5 hrs from Boston. The event occurs during the beginning of the peak of Fall Foliage in northern CT!

RETREAT CENTER DETAILS & ACTIVITIES

Isabella Freedman is a high quality kosher catered retreat center set on 450 acres, with wonderful grounds, and its secluded, with a private lake, sporting (basketball, volleyball, tennis) and workout facilities, a swimming pool and hundreds of acres for onsite hikes and walks, as well as offsite hikes on the nearby Appalachian Trail. This is truly a gem of a place, with privacy, nature, good people and kosher food. What more could you ask for?

There are also museums, such as Norman Rockwell, The Clark and Hancock Shaker Village in the Berkshires and the Timexpo Timex Watch Museum in CT. There is also some cultural offerings in the area that weekend, such as Made in the Berkshires, a festival that features cutting-edge theatrical works, live music, film, short stories and dance.

Stays from 1 to 6 nights + Shabbat Chol Hamoed & Succahfest

You can come for as little as 1 night or as many as 6 nights, at your option. Note that people coming for Simchat Torah have a full Sunday included, with activities until the afternoon and two full meals, both breakfast and lunch.

We also hope to have various activities during Chol Hamoed (October 14—16). You may also combine your Chol Hamoed/Simchat Torah Stay with Succahfest, Isabella Freedman’s Succot Festival for the 1st days of the holiday. You need to RSVP for Succahfest directly with Isabella Freedman and let us know that you want this option when you fill out the RSVP form so we can house you in the same room for your entire stay.

We also intend to offer the following onsite and offsite activities, based on interest:

Fall Foliage hiking, biking and driving tours:

Farm Tours, Pickling/Cheese & Harvesting at Isabella Freedman’s Adamah Organic farm

Biking option - Fall Foliage River Ride

Boating - a canoe and kayaking option nearby on the Housatonic River.

Fall Foliage Driving Tours in the area, including arranging rides for those without transport.

Cultural Events & Museums — The newly renovated Clarke Art Museum in Williamstown, MA, ‘Poe’, a new play in Stockbridge ( 10/13 & 10/19), Norman Rockwell Museum with the Unknown Hopper Exhibit and the Pittfield City Jazz Festival ( 10/18)

Singles, Families and Couples are welcome and encouraged to come.

Simchat Torah , Yomtov Walks & Davening Services

We intend to have full minyanim from Simchat Torah (Wednesday night, October 15) until the end of the event, Sunday October 19. This will include all laining and aliyot for all men on Simchat Torah and lots of dancing with the torah for men and women. We also intend to have social games, lectures during the ‘3 day yomtov’ and nature walks each day, including tours of the local farms that Isabella Freedman uses to grow some of the vegetables they use for the meals. Stay tuned for more details! We will attempt minyanim during chol hamoed, depending on how many people attend those days...

DETAILS, FAQ, ROOMING, ETC

Since this is a large event with many details, we have links below to all of the key items, to make it easier to find the information you need. I have some of the highlights below, as well as pricing at the bottom of this page. Also, there are 3 levels of rooms, with private vs shared bathrooms, so keep that in mind when RSVP’ing. Please RSVP quickly, as we need to gauge interest given the timing.

Rates as low as $139 for a day during chol hamoed and $439 for the 5 day/4 night Simchat Torah.

If you ever wanted to visit Isabella Freedman, this is the weekend to do so!

We will never have rates this low again for a 4 day stay at Isabella Freedman!!

We look forward to seeing you at this event!

David Brotsky - Davetrek Adventures

Text Box: ACTIVITY & EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS The Retreat is located on a secluded 450 acre property, with a lake and a pond, and has the following amenities: Field and playground with sporting equipment Basketball court—1/2 court only Volleyball 2 public computers with Internet available for use in the main building, and WiFi (Wireless Internet) available in the MAIN BUILDING. Fitness center—Stationery Bike, Bench Press, Treadmill Game room in main building - Pool & Ping Pong Tables and Board Games Miles of hiking trails with paths that range from gentle to strenuous, and very close to the Appalachian Trail, where there will be hikes on Sunday Tennis court Theatre Space A private lake for using free boats, fishing, and swimming—Canoes, pedal boats and paddle boats Events on the Weekend Onsite—included in the weekend price, weather permitting Kumzitz—With Jewish Music (TuesdayNight October 14*& Motzei Shabbat - October 18*) Hiking (on the Appalachian Trail) (Wed and Sunday)* Boating (Mon, Tue, Wed & Sun)* Volleyball (Throughout)* Jewish Lectures (Throughout Simchat Torah & Shabbat)* Yoga in the Yurt (Throughout the event)* Adamah Organic Farm Tour, Harvesting work & Pickling/ Cheesemaking Class (Sunday)* * depending on interest and weather Off Site & Onsite- additional cost, weather permitting, depending on interest Fall Foliage - Biking, Hiking, Boating & Driving Tours Boating on the Housatonic River - Canoeing and Kayaking Museums, such as Norman Rockwell, Hancock Shaker Village, The Timexpo Timex Watch Museum (Wednesday only) Modern Art (Mass MOCA) and Impressionist Art (The Clark) All Off site events ( except hiking) & Onsite arts and craft events depend on interest and are in addition to the fees for the weekend. Click Here to visit a site with all the local Berkshires possible attractions that we have created. As we get closer, we will organize groups for some of these events, based on interest.

Rates & Policies: room & board and onsite activities; off site activities (except local hiking) & any onsite craft farm tours and onsite adamah classes will have additional fees.

Times listed are for room access - as specified on the website for this event, you will access to continue to use the facilities at Isabella Freedman on the day you leave until 3PM. Rates are subject to change until you pay the deposit.

Rates & Succahfest - You may come up for as many as 6 nights or as few as 1 night.

If you come for Simchat Torah starting Wednesday 10/15 you can stay over until Sunday October 19 and the rate includes breakfast, lunch and use of the facilities until 2:30 PM.

Also, you may combine these rates with Succahfest , please let me know on the RSVP form and via email. You will need to RSVP separately for Succahfest with Isabella Freedman and we will endeavor to keep you in the same rooms throughout your stay.

Check– IN & Check Out

You may come to Isabella Freedman as early as 1pm on the day of your arrival and check-in to your rooms by 4 PM. Check out the day that you leave is 9:00 AM - we will need to charge $50 per room for anyone who needs to check out later than 9:00 AM, so plan accordingly. You may stay onsite until 4 PM on the day that you leave, except on Sunday October 19 when you may stay until 2:30 PM.

To see all other details of pricing, go to Rates, Deposits & Payments

Pricing is at the bottom

RSVP ASAP To ensure your spot!

ROOMS

Pictures

Isabella Freedman Website

Directions, Rides & Trains

Initial Rush Rates Valid for RSVPs until 9/18/14	Rates, Per Person/Child or Couple
Initial Rush Rates Valid for RSVPs until 9/18/14	Chol Hamoed Rates Monday Night 10/13 & Tuesday Night 10/14		Simchat Torah Rates (3 night*/ 4 Day Minimum 10-15 - 10/18)
Room Type	1 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	2 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	3 Night Rate* (10/15 - 10/18) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy * You must leave by 8:30 PM, right after the holiday concludes for this rate	4 Night Rate (10/15 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	5 Night Rate (10/14 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	6 Night Rate (10/13 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy
Camping you must bring your own tent, bedding and supplies, other than food	99	195	275	350	425	499
Basic Room (dormitory style, shared bathrooms) per person 2 to 3 per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate)	135	249	370	425	535	635
Standard Room (cottages, semi-private bathroom) per person, generally 2 per room , family suites available (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	155	289	450	505	599	699
Deluxe Room (Private Bathroom) per person, 2 to 3 adults per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	170	325	480	535	630	725
Children - 5 to 15, per child (children under 5 are free; children 16 and older will be charged at the adult rate)	75	130	190	255	310	375

Early Bird Rates Valid for RSVPs until 9/29/14	Rates, Per Person/Child or Couple
Early Bird Rates Valid for RSVPs until 9/29/14	Chol Hamoed Rates Monday Night 10/13 & Tuesday Night 10/14		Simchat Torah Rates (3 night*/ 4 Day Minimum 10-15 - 10/18)
Room Type	1 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	2 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	3 Night Rate* (10/15 - 10/18) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy * You must leave by 8:30 PM, right after the holiday concludes for this rate	4 Night Rate (10/15 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	5 Night Rate (10/14 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	6 Night Rate (10/13 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy
Camping you must bring your own tent, bedding and supplies, other than food	110	205	285	365	440	515
Basic Room (dormitory style, shared bathrooms) per person 2 to 3 per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate)	145	275	385	450	560	660
Standard Room (cottages, semi-private bathroom) per person, generally 2 per room , family suites available (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	165	315	475	535	630	730
Deluxe Room (Private Bathroom) per person, 2 to 3 adults per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	185	350	509	560	650	750
Children - 5 to 15, per child (children under 5 are free; children 16 and older will be charged at the adult rate)	80	135	199	265	320	385

Standard Rates Valid for RSVPs until 10/6/14	Rates, Per Person/Child or Couple
Standard Rates Valid for RSVPs until 10/6/14	Chol Hamoed Rates Monday Night 10/13 & Tuesday Night 10/14		Simchat Torah Rates (3 night*/ 4 Day Minimum 10-15 - 10/18)
Room Type	1 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	2 Night Rate per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	3 Night Rate* (10/15 - 10/18) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy * You must leave by 8:30 PM, right after the holiday concludes for this rate	4 Night Rate (10/15 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	5 Night Rate (10/14 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy	6 Night Rate (10/13 - 10/19) per person for an individual, double/triple occupancy
Camping you must bring your own tent, bedding and supplies, other than food	125	225	299	389	450	525
Basic Room (dormitory style, shared bathrooms) per person 2 to 3 per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate)	155	299	399	475	575	675
Standard Room (cottages, semi-private bathroom) per person, generally 2 per room , family suites available (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	175	340	499	565	650	750
Deluxe Room (Private Bathroom) per person, 2 to 3 adults per room (Single Occupancy, add $125 to the individual rate) Couples rate - $25 total off, per couple	199	375	535	589	675	775
Children - 5 to 15, per child (children under 5 are free; children 16 and older will be charged at the adult rate)	85	140	209	275	330	395