Our registration form asks if there is a specific person you would like to room with at the retreat. If not, it asks about general roommate preferences (preferred gender, early-bird vs. night owl, light sleeper, etc.) so we can match you with someone who fits your retreat vibe. We will distribute roommate information (including contact information) about a month prior to the retreat.

The cheapest payment option is to apply during the early-bird registration period (ending on December 31st, 2025).
 

Shared Room Early Bird Pricing:

• $180 for Temple Sholom Members

• $252 for Non-Members

Private Room Early Bird Pricing:

• $500 for Members and Non-Members

After December 31st, 2025, the cost increases:
 

Shared Room Pricing:

• $252 for Temple Sholom Members

• $320 for Non-Members

Private Room Pricing:

• $576 for Members and Non-Members

We also have payment plan options which will allow you to pay a smaller monthly fee leading up to and following the retreat instead of paying in one lump sum. After completing the registration form, press Submit and you will be taken to the payment page where you can select from these payment options.

Our draft Shabbat Retreat Schedule (subject to change) is as follows:
 

Friday, April 17th

• 4:00pm-5:00pm – Participants arrive and get settled in their rooms

• 5:00pm-5:30pm – Welcome circle

• 5:30pm-6:30pm – Kabbalat Shabbat services w/ Rabbi Max and Steven Chaitman

• 6:30pm-7:30pm – Shabbat dinner (dining hall)

• 7:30pm-9:00pm – Evening Activity

• 9:00pm-9:30pm – Dancing (optional)

• 9:00pm-11:00pm – Campfire (optional)

Saturday, April 18th

• 8:30am-9:30am – Breakfast (dining hall) (optional)

• 9:30am-11:00am – Shabbat morning services with Torah reading (optional)

• 11:00am-12:00pm – Shabbat morning Text Study w/ Rabbi Max (optional)

• 12:00pm-1:00pm – Lunch (dining hall)

• 1:30pm-4:30pm – Elective activities (optional), including but not limited to:

  • Hike/nature walk

  • Mosaic art n’sip with Chantal Blaustein

  • Sports in the Sports Center

  • Board Games

• 4:30pm-6:00pm – Menucha (rest)

  • Optional musical meditation with Steven Chaitman

• 6:00pm-7:00pm – Dinner (dining hall)

• 8:00pm-8:30pm – Havdalah with Rabbi Max and Steven Chaitman

• 8:30pm-11:00pm – Dessert and song session around the campfire with Steven (instruments welcome)

Sunday, April 19th

• 8:30am-9:30am – Breakfast (dining hall)

• 9:30am-11:00am – Closing activity

• 11:00am-12:00pm – Siyyum (Closing circle)

• 12:00pm – Depart camp

If you grew up at summer camp (Jewish or not) and have nostalgia for those magical summers, our goal is to give you an experience that encapsulates what you loved so much about camp—the community, the nature, the music, the fun. And if you have never been to camp, we want to share the magic of Jewish camping with you.
 

We aim to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and be immersed in nature with other young Jews and Jewishly affiliated folks. We hope that the combination of programming and opportunities for rest will allow you to leave this Shabbat retreat feeling refreshed, uplifted, and spiritually nourished.

Our registration form asks if you are planning to drive to the retreat and, if yes, what your car’s capacity is and from where you are departing. In the weeks leading up to the retreat we create carpools based on availability and location of drivers, so that everyone can arrive at OSRUI on time for the retreat!

If you sign up and realize within 48 hours that you can no longer attend, please email us and receive a full refund. After that we will not be able to provide refunds but instead would encourage you to find someone to take your spot.

If you are on a payment plan and have not completed the payments when you realize you can no longer attend, we will not require you to continue paying from that moment.

This is the first time Makom has invested in a multi-day experience, which means it is nothing like any program we have put on in the past. Being together for a full weekend will allow us to form deeper connections than we are able to do at a Makom Shabbat or social program and celebrate Shabbat in an intentional and deep way.

This is a retreat for adults, so nothing is “required.” We highly encourage all attendees to participate in our Friday welcome activities and Sunday closing activities, as these are intended to promote grounding and connection.
 

Much of the programming on Saturday during Shabbat is optional, so you can do what feels most restful for your mind and body. See question #3 for more details.

Our registration form asks for dietary restrictions, and we will make sure you have food you can eat. If you have significant restrictions and would like to bring additional snacks for yourself just to be safe, that is completely appropriate.

OSRUI uses only certified kosher meat and does not mix dairy with meat. You can expect that no milk or milk derivatives will be used at a meat meal. We do not use separate dishes, cutlery, or serving pieces. A vegetarian option is available at no extra charge.

OSRUI has 24/7 security guards, gates at the entrances, fencing, security cameras, severe weather protocols, and other emergency procedures. OSRUI regularly reviews and evaluates their safety and security measures and work closely with national security organizations as well as local law enforcement officials.

Some of OSRUI’s campus has gravel roads, but the areas in which our retreat will take place are ADA compliant and paved. For those with specific accessibility questions, please reach out to Jude Kamler at Jude@sholomchicago.org.

We will be in touch in the weeks leading up to the retreat with a suggested packing list, carpool information, driving instructions, and everything else you will need to make this weekend easy and meaningful.