options for Jewish learning this year

[cellio]

My rabbi recommended the Lay Leadership Summer Study Retreat, which I am strongly considering going to this year. From what I've read so far, it sounds like an excellent learning opportunity. I learned this Shabbat that a fellow congregant is definitely going, which would reduce some of my "travelling alone in a far-away place" jitters (it's in Jerusalem). It's kind of pricy; I can afford it but am asking myself cost-benefit questions. I'd be away for about 10 or 11 days (late June/early July). Those 10 or 11 days span a period when Dani would be away anyway (at a gaming con), which seems like a win in the spousal-away-time department. (It's a given that he's never going to accompany me on one of these trips.) Note to self: stay here.

It's either that or the National Havurah Committee summer session, recommended by magid (who attended last year). This, too, sounds like a good program -- it's got stuff I'm definitely not into (granola), but enough serious study to keep me busy. It's probably smaller and a little more intimate than the Hartman program, and I'd know one person there (assuming magid goes again). It's the week immediately after Pennsic -- dodging is good but back-to-back vacations might be bad.

This year's URJ Kallah is a no-go. I kind of figured it would be with the title "Israel at 60", but it was possible the program would surprise me. It's now been published; it didn't. So, some other year, maybe. (Israel is of course an important component of Jewish study, but I'm looking for something with more traditional text and less modern history/zionism, thanks.)

I do mean to return to the Open Beit Midrash at Hebrew College, but not this year.

Someday I will be able to take the 3+ weeks needed to go to the Conservative Yeshiva's summer program in Jerusalem, but not this year and probably not next. I'm pencilling it in for 2010. (Similarly, Drisha and Pardes have programs that are too long for me right now.)

Comments

[goljerp]

It's already happened in 2008, but I've heard good things about the Limmud NY program. It's over the MLK weekend in January (and while it isn't actually in New York City, is close by).

Something to think about for Jan 2009, though.

[cellio]

Thanks for the reminder. I saw that too late for this year (I think I came across it in December?), but it's a good thing to note for next year. And next year shorter might be better, assuming the congregational trip to Israel comes off in summer 2009. (It's being specifically planned as a not-a-first-timer trip, so I want to go and see the next round of tourist sites. :-) )