Introduction

Laymen’s Institute (LI) is one of the first and oldest weekend retreats for Jewish men in America. The Laymen’s Institute is proudly sponsored by the New England Region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. Synagogue or Men’s Club membership is not required and Jewish men of all traditions are welcome to attend.

The weekend begins on Thursday afternoon and ends Sunday morning before noon; however men may arrive and leave at times that meet their own schedules. We avoid traveling on Shabbat. It takes place at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA which is a short 75 minute drive from Boston.

Laymen’s Institute consists of a wonderful mix of relaxation, sports, eating, learning, prayer, spirited singing and camaraderie. The schedule is centered on our two Scholars in Residence, each of whom, deliver three presentations.

Other activities include a learner’s minyan, the famed “Minyan in the Grove”, camp fire, softball, a tennis competition, swimming, boating and Hearing Men’s Voices programs where men have the opportunity to talk about many key personal issues facing us today.

If you have a son who is 18 years or older, bring him along. One attendee said, “I haven’t talked this much with my son since he left for college”.

For a glimpse of the Laymen’s Institute, watch a short video online by going to http://www.nerfjmc.org.

We believe that financial constraints should never prevent any man from enjoying the Laymen’s Institute. Financial aid is available! Contact: Chairman David Singer – davidpsinger@hotmail.com 508-788-6092 or Registrar Peter Matusow – pmatusow@comcast.net 508-652-0968.

All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Our scholars in residence the year will be, the distinguished rabbi, Dr. Neil Gillman, a prolific author and retired professor of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey J. Haber, Senior Rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Mishkan Tefila.

New This Year

· We will be honored with the attendance of Norm Kurtz (International President, FJMC). He will share his insights on davening and club leadership.

· New Saturday night Campfire.

· Minyan in the Grove:Shabbat Edition. In addition to our traditional Shabbat Morning Service, Bob Braitman and friends will lead an alternative interactive and participatory service.

· Shin Gi (Jewish Tai Chi) and The Art of Jewish Prayer Session with Rabbi Golan ben-Chorin of Temple Emeth.

Experience the fusion of the martial art of Shin Gi (akin to Tai Chi) and Jewish prayer as a means of gaining new insight into Tfilah. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the meaning and spiritual experience of prayer by learning and engaging in the movements, meditations and forms of Shin Gi. Practicing the ancient forms of this "soft" martial art gives our bodies and souls a new way to understand and participate in prayer. No prior experience or particular expertise required. Easy fitting clothes recommended.

Dr. Neil Gillman, a prolific author and retired professor of the Jewish Theological Seminary,

was a member of the Commission on the Philosophy of Conservative Judaism, which produced Emet Ve’Emunah, the first statement of principles for Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Gillman will explore the rights of passage of our lives.

The topics of his presentations are:

Three Rites of Passage:

· Birth,

· Marriage, and

· Death.

A native of Quebec City, Dr. Gillman graduated from McGill University in 1954, was ordained at JTS in 1960, and received his PhD in Philosophy from Columbia University in 1975. Dr. Gillman is the author of several books and essays, including Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew; Conservative Judaism: A New Century; The Way of Encountering God In Judaism; and The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immotality in Jewish Thought. His most recent book is “Traces of God: Seeing God in Torah, History, and Everday Life. One of Dr. Gillman’s recent essays, an excursus on eschatology, appeared in Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary.

Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey J. Haber, recently installed as the Senior Rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Mishkan Tefila,

will speak on:

"Is Conservative Judaism Relevant in the 21st Century?", and
“The Covenant of Abraham: Boys only or Girls too?”

Rabbi Haber was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and attended the Joint Program of Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, NY. At Columbia University, Rabbi Haber was one of several to pioneer the major of Ancient Near Eastern Studies and was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in 1981. He simultaneously received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Seminary where his major was Talmud and Rabbinics.

Rabbi Haber continued his studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary’s Rabbinical School where he received a Master of Arts Degree in Jewish Studies in 1985 and was Ordained in 1986. In 2006 Rabbi Haber earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health and HUC-JIR in New York.

Rabbi Haber also serves on the boards of many Jewish and communal organizations.

Laymen’s Institute Video

For a glimpse of the Laymen’s Institute, watch a short video online.

Cost

o Discount price (Paid in full by May 21) $250

o Regular Fare (Min. $25 to reserve by May 21) $275

o Patron (includes $50 to Tikvah Fund;

send in $25 to reserve by May 21) $400

o First-timer (no cut-off date) $180

We believe that financial constraints should never prevent any man from enjoying the Laymen’s Institute. Financial aid is available! Contact: Chairman David Singer – davidsinger@hotmail.com 508-788-6092 or Registrar Peter Matusow – pmatusow@comcast.net 508-652-0968.

All inquiries are strictly confidential.