Pearlstone and The JOC Mishpacha Project are dedicated to meeting the needs of all shabbaton attendees.

For this reason, please help us ensure that our gathering remains pluralistic and allows for multiple views about political and international issues. We also ask that you keep the spirit of Shabbat front of mind by refraining from discussing politically charged content.

If, after Shabbat, you would welcome respectful conversation about the Israel/Palestine conflict or other political issues, please place a green dot on your nametag. This will signal that you are open to restorative discourse and healthy debate. Please also refrain from having these conversations within earshot of youngsters.

Please refrain from asking personal questions about attendees' gender, sexual orientation, ability status, Jewish heritage, or other private identity factors. While any participant is welcomed to proudly discuss their own identity factors, under no circumstance should one ask probing questions without consent.

For those participating in the traditional minyan, please note: 

  • A mechitza will be available to support traditional davening

  • Pearlstone follows OU kashrut.

  • Saturday night's dinner will be dairy to accommodate s'mores after dinner. All s'mores ingredients are either kosher dairy or kosher pareve. Please note that vegan and gluten free dessert items will also be provided.

  • Programming for Orthodox individuals will not conflict with traditional Shabbat observance (for instance, no requirements for writing, electricity, or musical instruments will not be an inherent/integral component of this track of the program).

  • We will be bringing in Shabbat early and offering a multidenominational program and an Orthodox shabbat service at the same time. To be respectful of families with small children, please consider this when making your travel plans.

  • Dinner will be held from 7:30-9:00pm on Friday night.

  • Candles will be provided for candle lighting. Shabbaton attendees will have the option to both light their own Shabbat candles and/or participate in a group candle lighting ceremony.

  • Kosher mevushal wine shall be provided for Shabbat evening and afternoon kiddush. Please respect the kosher supervision of our retreat site and do not bring wine or any other food items. Everything you need will be provided!

  • Traditional/Orthodox services will be held if a minyan of interested male-identified people is present. Please note that although a traditional minyan is in the schedule, the presence of a minyan for the traditional service may fluctuate. 

  • There will be egalitarian, child-focused, teen, and traditional religious services offered over Shabbat, as well as a wide range of other programming and affinity spaces. Participants can choose to participate (or not participate) in any of the religious services or learning sessions offered during the retreat. 

  • We understand that there are a variety of ways to celebrate Shabbat, whether that be resting, praying, swimming, hiking, or meditating, we ask only that each person in our community respect the choices of others. 

Professional childcare, outside of child and youth programming, will be provided on Friday and Saturday by Jovie. (link: https://www.jovie.com)

Attendees will be asked to take a Covid test 24 hours prior to arriving on campus.

Please feel free to reach out to JOCMishpacha@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or accommodation needs.