Smicha Week Registration, Travel, and Lodging Info

SMICHA WEEK 2010/5770

JUNE 27 – JULY 4, 2010
at Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, MD
(30 mins from Baltimore)

Immediately preceding Ruach Ha’Aretz

Registration instructions

Thoughtfully read all the information below.

Complete the on-line registration below.

Send a deposit of $875 (half of the program costs) to Ruach Ha’Aretz, by April 20th (1612 Holeman Drive, Erie CO 80516).

Send full payment to Ruach Ha’Aretz – by June 5th.

Travel

If you are flying to Smicha Week, make your flight arrangements into BWI (Baltimore-Washington International Airport), allowing an additional half-hour’s travel time to the retreat center, so that you arrive on campus between 3 and 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 27th. Information regarding transportation to/from the airport will be posted to this site by mid-May.

If you will be arriving by car, you’ll find driving directions from many originating points in the East at: www.pearlstonecenter.org/directions.html

We have made a special arrangement with The Airport Shuttle, Inc for discounted shuttle service to/from BWI and Pearlstone:

The link, below, will take you to the reservation and payment pages for Ruach Ha'Aretz shuttle service - where you'll enter your flight arrival and departure times, and have your reservation charged to your credit card. [Please note: the website is set up to ask for your departure before your arrival - pay close attention to the dates you're entering.] They will track your flight in real time. And, you go directly to the vehicle from baggage claim. In other words, you are NOT put in a waiting area at the airport to be put on a line run thru multiple hotels. From Pearlstone you are given a pick-up time based on your airport flight departure time. Again, NO multiple stops! They enjoy guarantying to their customers no more than 2 stops and often you go straight in!

The fee is $33 each way (discounted from their regular rate of $42), and each additional passenger in your reservation is $8. [A couple traveling together will pay $41 total, each way. You may want to make one reservation for yourself and friends arriving at the same time, and share in the savings.]

If you find yourself within 24 hours of arrival, and have not yet made your reservation, you may call them at 1-800-776-0323 and use code #150498 to receive the same discounted rate. They cannot, however, guarantee that they can accommodate your time needs in less than 24 hours - though they will do their very best.

Lodging

Pearlstone has 3 different types of overnight accommodations that are appropriate for all different types of guests. Each of the overnight rooms and cabins has its own bathroom, and Pearlstone provides linens, towels, and soap for all guests.

Lodge Rooms
The 35 lodge rooms are hotel-style rooms that open to a covered walkway between buildings. Each room has 2 queen size beds, a private bathroom, a dresser, a closet, and a small table and chairs.

Family and Teen Center
The Family & Teen Center has 2 separate floors. Each floor has a central lounge area surrounded by rooms. The top floor has 5 rooms with 24 beds. The bottom floor has 7 rooms with 36 beds. Each room has a mix of twin beds and bunk beds, and each room has its own bathroom.

Cabins
Pearlstone’s “Fidler’s Grove” has 4 log cabins. 3 small cabins have 1 room with 2 beds, 1 room with 2 bunk beds, a loft with 3 twin beds, a bathroom, a living room, and a large porch. 1 large cabin has additional beds and an additional bathroom in the loft, a larger living room, and a full kitchen.

Student Fees

The all-inclusive cost for Smicha week is $1750.

This includes 2 graduate-level courses (2 credit units), shared lodging in the Family and Teen Center or in a Cabin, 3 kosher meals plus 2 snacks each day.

You may choose to upgrade to a Lodge Room – if you choose to share a double room, add $180; for a single (private) room, add $360.

All fees are to be paid directly to Ruach Ha’Aretz.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please contact Rabbi Nadya Gross at info@ruachhaaretz.com

Children and Teens Program & Fees

As in the past, Ruach Ha’Aretz will provide a children’s program if there are a sufficient number of children attending. Please respond no later than April 20th – on the registration form – if you intend to bring your child(ren) with you. Shortly after Apr 20, we will notify you of our decision.

We have arranged for Hod Kessler and Amitai Gross (Ruach Kids co-directors) to supervise the children’s program, and must confirm with him as soon as possible.

Children’s program fee: $250

Room & Board for children and teens:
Ages 1-5: $210
Over 6-12: $550
Over 12: $710 (family center and cabins)
Over 12: $785 (in lodge double)

This program is for students in the ALEPH Ordination programs and candidates whose application is in process. Students enrolled in one of our Smicha programs are welcome to register now for Smicha Week. If you are a candidate for one of our Smicha programs, a letter of invitation from Rabbi Marcia Prager, Reb Shulamit Fagan, or Hazzan Jack Kessler must be received by Ruach Ha'Aretz (sent to info@ruachhaaretz.com) before we can process your registration for Smicha Week.

Cancellation fee:
$50 processing fee included in registration. Full refund less processing fee if cancellation received in writing before June 10th. After that date, room & board fees are committed to the retreat center; $750 will be withheld from the refund.

REGISTRATION FORM (Click submit button at bottom when complete)
NAME:
ADDRESS:

CITY:
STATE/PROVINCE
ZIP/POSTAL CODE
PHONE
EMAIL
MOBILE/CELL PHONE

	CLASS CHOICES
Morning Class (1st Choice)
Morning Class (2nd Choice)
Afternoon Class (1st Choice)
Afternoon Class (2nd Choice)
	Please advise us if either class is required for Smicha this year (priority will be given). Required Class(es):

CHILDREN/TEENS			Age in July
NAME:
NAME:

FEE SCHEDULE
Number of Adults		x 1750 =
Upgrade to Lodge Room – Share a Double Room		x 180 =
Upgrade to Lodge Room – Single (Private) Room		x 360 =
Number of Children		x $250 =
Room and Board for Children (ages 1-5)		x $210=
Room and Board for Children (ages 6-12)		x $550=
Room and Board for Teens (over 12 in family center and cabins)		x $710=
Room and Board for Teens (over 12 in lodge double)		x $785=

50% deposit is due by April 20. Balance is due by June 5.
Due for Registration:
If paying by check, please indicate here:
Mail check to Ruach Ha'Aretz, 1612 Holeman Drive, Erie CO 80516.

If you'd like to pay by credit card, indicate here.

• Roomate request: • Others in your cabin (if that is your choice):

Any special dietary needs or other requirements?
Comments?