Emanuel's annual retreats combine learning, music and worship into a powerful community-building experience. All the retreats offer participants a chance to stay together on the shores of Lac LaBelle in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin at the Reform movement's camp, Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute.

Emanuel holds an annual Memorial Day Weekend Retreat. The chance to study issues of Jewish concern, get to know one another, and have fun are some of the reasons that the Memorial Day Retreat has been one of Emanuel's favorite events for many years. If you are new to Emanuel, the Retreat is a great way to meet new friends and spend some time in a relaxed and beautiful environment. Young and old, singles and families are encouraged to attend. Children's programming and babysitting available. Want to know more? See below for some frequently asked questions. Or click here for more information and a registration form.

An Annual Women's Retreat is held every year in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Each retreat focuses on a topic, all amid good food, enthusiastic singing, inspiring services, Torah study, relaxation time, and the general camaraderie of the weekend. If you have joined us before, we look forward to sharing another wonderful weekend together. If you've never come before, please join us. Want to know more? Contact the Emanuel office at 773-561-5173 for more information. The next Women's Retreat will take place in early 2011.

For over 50 years an Emanuel group has spent the New Year's Weekend at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with Rabbi Herman Schaalman and his wife Lotte. Since 2007, the retreat has been held in the Chicago area. For more information contact the Emanuel Office at info@emanuelcong.org.

Students of the Emanuel religious school also have special opportunities to spend time at OSRUI at both retreats and during summer camps.

Participants meet in advance to discuss program and discussion topics. Please contact the Emanuel office, at 773-561-5173 for more information about any retreat.  

FAQs about the Memorial Day Weekend Retreat

Who attends? This is a retreat for the entire Emanuel community. Couples, singles, kids, infants, young and old.

What is OSRUI (pronounced “ozRUee”) and where is it? Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) is the Reform Movement’s overnight camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Oconomowoc is about 40 minutes west of Milwaukee. Learn more at www.OSRUI.org.

What are the accommodations like? The adults stay in the Herman Schaalman Lodge (yes, named after our Rabbi Schaalman who was the camp’s founder!). The rooms are basic but comfortable – 2 twin beds and a private bath. Kids under 8 stay in their folks’ room; older kids stay at the Health Center with college-aged chaperones in a dormitory type facility.

If I come with kids, what will there be for them to do? We have tons of fun activities planned for the kids. Lots of it is with the adults, but there are times when it would just be more fun for them to be doing something different. We try to incorporate the weekend’s theme into their experience as well. There’s also lots of time for enjoying OSRUI’s soccer and baseball fields, swing set and its Sports Center. There will also be babysitters so that our youngest participants can have some time away from Mom and Dad.

My partner isn’t Jewish. Can he/she come? Not only can they come, we want him/her there! Emanuel is made up of all kinds of people and all kinds of families. One of our goals for the weekend is building community and they are part of ours. While our study is based on Jewish themes, the programs are designed to be inclusive and welcome all viewpoints. Also, there are no “requirements for participation” – anyone who doesn’t feel like participating in any part of the weekend is free to use their time as they wish (there are some great trees to sit under with a good book and the walk around the lake is beautiful!).

Is the weekend all about study and services? We do study and we do hold daily services. But we also play softball, do art projects, play Scrabble, decorate t-shirts, do jigsaw puzzles, sing, build campfires, eat, laugh, eat, sing some more, laugh a whole lot more, schmooze, play Ga-Ga (you have to come to learn what this is!), take a few hours away in town, nap and more.

“I really need to be home on Monday.” or “There’s no way I can make it up on Friday night.” or “3 days with people I hardly know seems like a long time.” Should I still come? While most participants do stay the whole weekend, we know it’s just not always possible (or even feels a little intimidating?) See the registration form for the options for shorter stays.Where and what is OSRUI and how long does it take to get there? OSRUI is the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute. It is one of many Reform Jewish camps nationwide belonging to the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). In fact it was the URJ's first camp and was founded by Rabbi Schaalman! OSRUI is in Oconomowoc, WI about a 3 hour drive from the north side of Chicago (without rush hour traffic).

Still have more questions? Please contact Luc Dodinval at LucDodinval@emanuelcong.org or call the Emanuel office at 773-561-5173.

Ready to register?  Click here for more information and a registration form.