SHALOM,,
Tishrei is at our doorstep but it seems as if Pesach was only yesterday and before it our first community Shabbaton.
I remember the magical view of the Dead sea, our singing and dancing Havdalah in the courtyard, introduction circles on Friday evening, yoga and creative writing classes... There was something so special about the combination of the place, the people, Shabbat and of course the Nava Tehila prayers.
Nomi said right after the Shabbaton that she was ready to book next year’s Shabbat Hagadol but members of our community have suggested not waiting till then, and thus…our second community Shabbaton is on its way!
We’re returning to the Ein Gedi guest house, on Shabbat of Parashat Vayera, 11-12/11/2011. The subject of the Shabbaton is WATER
The Shabbaton is being organized by busy volunteers, so we ask you to please read the instructions below and follow them, in order to prevent misunderstandings. 
We invite members who wish to offer an one-hour-long workshops on Friday evening after candle-lighting, or on Shabbat afternoon, to send the workshop’s name and a short description to Daphna, our community coordinator. We are also interested in activities for children and teenagers.
Registration:
Register for the Shabbaton by filling the form at the bootom of this email or by clicking here. After you submit your form please call Daphna Rosenberg, our community coordinator, at 054-6638891
with your credit card details. Daphna will pass the credit card info to the guest house in order to secure your room reservation.She can also hep with filling the form.
In addition to the room charge, there will be a 60 NIS charge for each adult to cover direct organizational expenses. This may be a good time to also pay ypur dues 
In the previous Shabbaton there was no room left, so make sure to book your spot now.
Family rooms: The prices for a room when paid together (child=ages 2-18)
A room for 2 adults: 558 NIS, Adult+child: 528 NIS, Adult alone: 394 NIS. Any additional child after the first two people in the room: 150 NIS. Children over 18: 194 NIS.
Room share – the price is for each person separately:
We will place people in rooms based on the number of participants. The price range will be between 237 NIS per person in a four-person room, and 279 NIS per person in a two-person room. We cannot promise two-person rooms because there may be too many people who register. If there are rooms to spare, we’ll spread you out to two in a room. In the first stage, we’ll give the guest house two credit cards per room.
Five in a room: 228 NIS, four in a room: 236.5, three in a room: 250.6, two in a room: 279 NIS.
The price covers a bed, dinner and breakfast. Cancellation fee is 150 NIS per room, unless we find someone else to take your spot.
We will give preference to paying community members. Guests and temporary students will have room based on available space. Another option is to camp out and pay only for dinner.
Program:
2 PM enter rooms (please come earlier as you need to register and get your key first from the reception)
2:15 PM shabbat prep workshops
4 PM Candle lighting
Shabbat 6:30 PM End of Shabbaton
A fuller program will be sent out closer to the time.
We need people to read the Torah and the Haftorah – there are aliyot of varying lengths. Please contact Rabbi Ruth.
We encourage you to self organize a friday morning activity in the area-hot springs, hikes etc.
Food:
Payment for the guest house includes Friday night dinner and breakfast (camping people pay only for dinner – 74 NIS).
All other meals – Shabbat lunch, Seudah Shlishit and other snacks are each member’s responsibility.
We’ll have a joint Kiddush between Shacharit and Torah reading – please bring drinks and cake.
There is a small fridge and kettle in each room. There are no dishes – please bring your own.
For the independent meals, we’ll sit together in the courtyard and have a picnic (there are chairs in the rooms, and it’s a good idea to bring a mat).
Things to bring:
Clothes appropriate for the weather – notice the forecast and pack accordingly
Tallit, Siddur, Chumash for the prayer services
Notebooks for the writing workshops and a mat for yoga class
Musical instruments
Anyone who has general questions about the Shabbaton, call or text Nomi Raz, at 02-6780628 054-6215090.
Please don’t call about rides. The guest house is easily accessible by public transport. The bus stops right at the entrance of the guest house.
Gmar Chatima Tova
The organizing committee: Shlomit, Nachshon and Nomi Raz
