ICJA All-School Retreat

Last week our students and staff came together for ICJA’s annual All-School retreat at beautiful Camp Chi in Lake Delton, Wisconsin for a wonderful two days of learning, fun, bonding with each other and intense ruach.

This year’s theme at Retreat was the Power of Community. On Wednesday, after arriving at Camp Chi students split into learning groups and learned sources from Mishna, Gemara and Midrash that helped them answer the question “How can recognizing the unique strength and contributions of every individual help us build a stronger, more unified community?” Learning continued on Thursday, challenging students to ask themselves how they can strengthen their community.

The retreat was jam-packed with activities. Students took trips to a challenging ropes course (pictured here), a water park, and a “WildJet” boat ride. Back at camp, students enjoyed Camp Chi’s gym and playing fields, and hung out talking, singing, playing games and making friendship bracelets together.

At night, the atmosphere in Camp Chi was electric as our entire school came together to study Mishnayot as part of the international project of World Mizrachi to memorialize the victims of October 7th and the soldiers who have been killed. Each student received a name of one of the kedoshim and a Mishna from Masechet Rosh Hashana to study in their memory. Students learned in diverse ways: in small chavrutot, in large groups, with teachers, and even individually. Fruit, drinks, and cholent helped make the atmosphere even more special during this meaningful and fun evening.

Thank you to ICJA alumni Leslie ’81 and Tom ’81 Silverstein for sponsoring this fabulous event. Thank you Mrs. Alissa Zeffren for planning the many activities of Retreat and making sure that everything ran so smoothly. Thank you also to the many faculty and staff who took part in this event.