This retreat will be led by Nadav and Michal Slovin and their family and Noam Levenson. Nadav is the founder of Lech-Lecha and Noam is the Director of Programming. Both have extensive experience leading retreats. You can learn more about Nadav here and Noam here.

We will be sleeping in a beautiful rustic desert retreat center – Merhav Am.

There are bathrooms, showers, shared sleeping areas – separate for men and women, and a full kitchen. There is also plenty of great space outside. There is also a beautiful little pool for those who would like to swim.

Merhav Am

Merhav Am is located near Sde Boker. It is approximately two hours from both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

It is reachable by public transportation. Bus 63 goes direct from the Central Bus Station in Be'er Sheba.

It is also possible to carpool with others.

(Subject to change)

We will have a sefer Torah and a minyan.

Day 1 — Thursday, November 26 – 6pm

We will meet at Merchav Am by 6:00 PM.

You are welcome to arrive later.

We will move into our sleeping spaces and begin our evening with an opening circle, setting intentions for our time together. We'll move on to a celebratory BBQ for Thanksgiving. We'll light a bonfire, play some music, and settle into the evening.

Day 2 — Friday, November 27th

We'll go for a hike in the morning with time for hitbodeduit. We'll spend the day connecting with facilitated meditation and move our bodies with yoga, prayer, and some Torah.

We'll then prepare together for Shabbat, cooking and preparing the space.

Once Shabbat arrives, we'll bring in Shabbat with song and intentional conversation and then share in good food and good company!

Day 3 — Saturday, November 28th

Saturday morning we'll begin with prayer (there will be a minyan and sefer Torah) and group-lead meditation.

We will spend Shabbat playing games, singing, and exploring the area, with optional meditations and Torah classes for those who would like.

The day is open for rest, reflection, conversation, and time in nature, with optional short walks nearby (within your comfort level). This is a chance to fully unplug and experience Shabbat in a quiet, natural setting.

After Shabbat we will have a closing circle and pack up to head home.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

This retreat is an invitation to explore gratitude, its power, and how we can bring more of it in our lives.

Through meditation, prayer, Shabbat, song, learning, conversation, and quiet time in the desert, we’ll explore what helps us come home to ourselves and relax into the gift of what is now, right here. Together, we’ll make space for presence, honesty, joy, and rest.

We welcome people of all levels of Jewish observance. Our trips are structured to ensure that participants who observe Shabbat and kashrut can do so comfortably.

We will arrive at our cabin before Shabbat on Friday where we will prepare for Shabbat together and spend Shabbat resting.

Lech-Lecha provides:

• All kosher food (We accomodate any dietary restrictions)

• Cooking equipment and eating utensils

• All communal gear

Mattresses will be provided.

Participants should bring:

• Walking shoes

• Towel

• Bathing suit (if you would like to swim)

• Books, games, or things for Shabbat

• Anything they'd like to share with the group over Shabbat

• Bedding and pillows

• Musical instruments for pre and post Shabbat

• Personal items, toiletries

• Comfortable clothing. Bring warm clothing for the night as the desert can get cold.

To learn more about this retreat, please contact:

Nadav Slovin – Nadav@lechlechajourneys.org

Noam Levenson – Noam@lechlechajourneys.org