By COLlive reporter
The National Jewish Retreat wants its guests worry-free.
“We would like to assure you that we are working in close collaboration with local and federal authorities to provide an extra measure of security throughout the entire Retreat,” organizers said in an email to guests Monday.
The Hilton Alexandria-Mark Center hotel in the West End of historic Alexandria, VA, where the 8th retreat will be held, is just five miles from the highlights of America’s Capital City and the Washington Reagan International Airport.
Over 1000 people are expected to participate in various programming that will include 6 days of inspiring cultural activities and stimulating lectures, led by world renowned scholars, entertainers and academics.
What triggered the message from the hosts, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), was the international terror threat that has led to closures of U.S. diplomatic posts in 19 cities worldwide and heightened security in New York City.
The U.S. intercepted communications suggesting that a major terrorist attack was in the planning stages, Politico reported. One lawmaker in Washington, DC said the chatter included specifics about dates and the scope of the operation, though not the targets.
To be sure, security officials will be both in uniform and civilian clothes will be swarming around the Hilton Alexandria from 6 to 11 of August as Jews from all backgrounds and ages get to relax, reflect and refresh their spirit in a luxurious setting.
COLlive.com was told that the security measures are spearheaded jointly between the local Alexandria Police Department, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
“We wish you safe travels to Virginia and we look forward to greeting you in person,” organizers said in the email.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE
With an expanded program, wider services, and reinforcement of existing favorites also came an enviable headache: increasingly high demand.
Confirmed enrollments have already exceeded earlier estimates, prompting the organizers to pull in extra resources to cope with the rising numbers.
In order to manage the overwhelming response, organizers have revised their contract with the Hilton hotel to accommodate the expanded guest list – now climbing above 1000.
But British-born director of the retreat, Rabbi Boruch Cohen says the last-minute surge is not surprising. “Nothing of this scope exists anywhere else in the world. The retreat offers a fabulous intersection of learning, community and recreation,” he said.
New retreat offerings include the Jewish Medical Ethics Conference for doctors and medical professionals, an expanded Beis Medrash Program, as well a full-day of sessions exclusively for women, coordinated by JLI’s Rosh Chodesh Society in partnership with the local shluchos.
And there’s even a new mobile app that will allow attendees to personalize their retreat schedule on their smart phones, browsing the array of lectures, agendas of workshops or checking out the night’s entertainment.
“Right then and there they can plan what they’re doing at the retreat,” said Rabbi Hesh Epstein, Director Chabad of South Carolina who is the retreat chairman. “It’s a very exciting development.”
Check out the new app or visit JRetreat.com
BH
Sounds wonderful. Enjoy…wish it were here so we “Anglos” as we are called in the Holy Land, could participate as well.
Am sure Mayor Barkat would be thrilled by such an international retreat here. One day…
So nice to see such a well organized, put together program! much hatzlocha!
#JRetreat