- Gesher Retreat Centre -
Concept
Way back in the early 1980's a young rabbi, not yet grey at the temple, had a dream of creating a dedicated, Jewish retreat centre. It would be an inclusive, natural environment, a handsome, welcoming accommodation located off the beaten path, a place to get away, to reflect, renew and to celebrate Jewish life. A place where guests could unwind and examine transcendent ideas: the meaning of their lives, the content of their days, their relationship to the earth, to the Divine and to those made in the Divine image.
Gesher is not yet such a place. It is an idea. A terribly good idea. At its heart, Gesher aspires to help its guests – students, families, groups and individuals of all ages and backgrounds, to draw nearer to their heritage and to one another. Through sophisticated formal and informal learning, inside the classroom and in the beauty of nature, planned by outstanding educators working together with you, through music and dance, prayer and meditation, at each turn and every opportunity, Gesher inspires Jewish growth, continuity and engagement.
Today, many people lack the vocabulary, time or confidence necessary to engage in intentional spiritual living. Gesher, however, is the way to gain new skills in a supportive setting, to experience life holistically, to consider fresh ideas and to review ancient ones. In an age when technology threatens to disconnect us from one another, when the pace of life tosses us without reflection from one task to another, Gesher promotes connections – bridge building.
Opportunity
Despite an array of existing Jewish facilities, services and programs in NSW and around Australia, the Jewish community lacks a purpose-built centre to encourage spiritual development and community growth in a residential setting. Instead, we utilise facilities owned and operated by Christian organisations and scouting groups, we trek off to hotels and motels, enriching expensive secular venues that lack the amenities designed to create distinctly Jewish memories.
Our Solution
Gesher will be a fully immersive, entirely accessible, spiritual community experience in a tranquil, peaceful setting that will promote many of the Jewish community’s primary activities such as Limmud Oz, Camp Sababa (NSW) and celebrations like Yom Haatzmaut, music, book and film festivals. New opportunities for Jewish learning and environmental education: celebrations on Succot, Chanukah, Pesach and the Yamim Noraim promise to engage a new generation.
Want a high-level study course or themed learning experience? We’ve got it! Want to build your team or school’s spirit through fun, outdoor adventure challenges while also growing Jewishly? We’ve got that too! Want to set up an encounter group with friends from another religious tradition or practice yoga in the beauty of holiness? Gesher is your place. But if your desire is only to enjoy a top quality, affordable and relaxing kosher accommodation sensitive to the laws and spirit of Shabbat, well…Gesher can do that too.
More About Our Proposed Facilities
Gracious. Accessible. Warm. Heimish. These are the words we are using to describe the GRC. Informing the vision of Gesher is a pastoral address complete with the following: superior quality rooms wrapped around sculptured garden dotted with tables, seating and benches for quiet reading and reflection; two-bedroom eco cabins furnished to a high-standard and including kitchen facilities and, for Zionist, school and synagogue groups, expansive and affordable bunkhouses.
Feeling the Jewish “vibe” will be easy at Gesher. Guests will be greeted by mezuzot on their doors – doors that will not require electronic entry and feature Hebrew signage, a Beit Ha’Midrash/Jewish library, an indoor and outdoor prayer space, amphitheatre and gazebo, perfect for weddings and a mikvahwith a view to the stars. A vast organic garden/farm, tended in part by visitors to Gesher will supply fresh produce to the Kosher kitchen, while a fire will encourage lingering late-night conversations. A pool and a spa will help guests to cool off and unwind after the workweek or a leisurely game of basketball, soccer or Israeli dancing.
Inside, a comfortable sitting area featuring a piano and fireplace will greet guests upon arrival making them comfortable prior to retiring to the cheder ochel, a versatile dining space for a sumptuous meal, catered to the highest standard and in compliance with kashrut. Naturally, our kinus (gathering) space will be equipped with stage and projection unit, screen and demountable dance floor and fit out with Wi-fi necessary for conferences and celebrations. Adjacent break out rooms will comfortably house small meetings and classes.
Gesher desires to be in harmony with its environment. To that end, the entire facility is expected to comply with the highest green rating: solar panels, water preservation measures, LED lighting, limited packaging and recycling, keeping in mind the mitzvah of bal tashchitwhich instructs us to use our resources wisely.
Where (And When) Can You Find Us?
Ideally, the GRC will be located in the Sydney region, near public transport, in the shade of a rich canopy of mature trees, away from the noise of the city, with nature walks and water nearby but close enough to local services. A deliberate search for an existing, distressed retreat centre or hotel with extensive grounds is being undertaken.
And when will Gesher be up and runnin…? Rabbi G is presently involved with bringing his business plan to the attention of potential donors and Jewish community organisations. He is receiving professional guidance to determine the appropriate funding vehicles for this project.
Can You Help?
Yes! Like us on Facebook. Join the conversation. With so much to do and so many considerations to keep in mind, Rabbi G would love to hear from you, sit down and share with you the details of our business plan and capture your ideas. Perhaps you know of a location that would be worthwhile visiting? Maybe you can help introduce us to likely funders, identify grants and funding sources. We would love to visit with your synagogue, school or social club to talk about your needs and interests. And, should you or someone you know be capable of providing seed funding it would be very helpful to hear from you. Do you have a family foundation and are seeking a original and effective way to help ensure your family’s legacy and secure our Jewish future, then please be in touch.
A Final Word
Would you trust a rabbi to conceive, design, fund and finish a retreat centre? Nope – neither would I. That is why Gesher has been developed in cooperation with the Business Enterprise Centre of Southern Sydney. With your help as well, Gesher can move from an idea… to a reality!
Gesher is not yet such a place. It is an idea. A terribly good idea. At its heart, Gesher aspires to help its guests – students, families, groups and individuals of all ages and backgrounds, to draw nearer to their heritage and to one another. Through sophisticated formal and informal learning, inside the classroom and in the beauty of nature, planned by outstanding educators working together with you, through music and dance, prayer and meditation, at each turn and every opportunity, Gesher inspires Jewish growth, continuity and engagement.
Today, many people lack the vocabulary, time or confidence necessary to engage in intentional spiritual living. Gesher, however, is the way to gain new skills in a supportive setting, to experience life holistically, to consider fresh ideas and to review ancient ones. In an age when technology threatens to disconnect us from one another, when the pace of life tosses us without reflection from one task to another, Gesher promotes connections – bridge building.
Opportunity
Despite an array of existing Jewish facilities, services and programs in NSW and around Australia, the Jewish community lacks a purpose-built centre to encourage spiritual development and community growth in a residential setting. Instead, we utilise facilities owned and operated by Christian organisations and scouting groups, we trek off to hotels and motels, enriching expensive secular venues that lack the amenities designed to create distinctly Jewish memories.
Our Solution
Gesher will be a fully immersive, entirely accessible, spiritual community experience in a tranquil, peaceful setting that will promote many of the Jewish community’s primary activities such as Limmud Oz, Camp Sababa (NSW) and celebrations like Yom Haatzmaut, music, book and film festivals. New opportunities for Jewish learning and environmental education: celebrations on Succot, Chanukah, Pesach and the Yamim Noraim promise to engage a new generation.
Want a high-level study course or themed learning experience? We’ve got it! Want to build your team or school’s spirit through fun, outdoor adventure challenges while also growing Jewishly? We’ve got that too! Want to set up an encounter group with friends from another religious tradition or practice yoga in the beauty of holiness? Gesher is your place. But if your desire is only to enjoy a top quality, affordable and relaxing kosher accommodation sensitive to the laws and spirit of Shabbat, well…Gesher can do that too.
More About Our Proposed Facilities
Gracious. Accessible. Warm. Heimish. These are the words we are using to describe the GRC. Informing the vision of Gesher is a pastoral address complete with the following: superior quality rooms wrapped around sculptured garden dotted with tables, seating and benches for quiet reading and reflection; two-bedroom eco cabins furnished to a high-standard and including kitchen facilities and, for Zionist, school and synagogue groups, expansive and affordable bunkhouses.
Feeling the Jewish “vibe” will be easy at Gesher. Guests will be greeted by mezuzot on their doors – doors that will not require electronic entry and feature Hebrew signage, a Beit Ha’Midrash/Jewish library, an indoor and outdoor prayer space, amphitheatre and gazebo, perfect for weddings and a mikvahwith a view to the stars. A vast organic garden/farm, tended in part by visitors to Gesher will supply fresh produce to the Kosher kitchen, while a fire will encourage lingering late-night conversations. A pool and a spa will help guests to cool off and unwind after the workweek or a leisurely game of basketball, soccer or Israeli dancing.
Inside, a comfortable sitting area featuring a piano and fireplace will greet guests upon arrival making them comfortable prior to retiring to the cheder ochel, a versatile dining space for a sumptuous meal, catered to the highest standard and in compliance with kashrut. Naturally, our kinus (gathering) space will be equipped with stage and projection unit, screen and demountable dance floor and fit out with Wi-fi necessary for conferences and celebrations. Adjacent break out rooms will comfortably house small meetings and classes.
Gesher desires to be in harmony with its environment. To that end, the entire facility is expected to comply with the highest green rating: solar panels, water preservation measures, LED lighting, limited packaging and recycling, keeping in mind the mitzvah of bal tashchitwhich instructs us to use our resources wisely.
Where (And When) Can You Find Us?
Ideally, the GRC will be located in the Sydney region, near public transport, in the shade of a rich canopy of mature trees, away from the noise of the city, with nature walks and water nearby but close enough to local services. A deliberate search for an existing, distressed retreat centre or hotel with extensive grounds is being undertaken.
And when will Gesher be up and runnin…? Rabbi G is presently involved with bringing his business plan to the attention of potential donors and Jewish community organisations. He is receiving professional guidance to determine the appropriate funding vehicles for this project.
Can You Help?
Yes! Like us on Facebook. Join the conversation. With so much to do and so many considerations to keep in mind, Rabbi G would love to hear from you, sit down and share with you the details of our business plan and capture your ideas. Perhaps you know of a location that would be worthwhile visiting? Maybe you can help introduce us to likely funders, identify grants and funding sources. We would love to visit with your synagogue, school or social club to talk about your needs and interests. And, should you or someone you know be capable of providing seed funding it would be very helpful to hear from you. Do you have a family foundation and are seeking a original and effective way to help ensure your family’s legacy and secure our Jewish future, then please be in touch.
A Final Word
Would you trust a rabbi to conceive, design, fund and finish a retreat centre? Nope – neither would I. That is why Gesher has been developed in cooperation with the Business Enterprise Centre of Southern Sydney. With your help as well, Gesher can move from an idea… to a reality!
