CREATING COMMUNITY
More than 300 adults and children attendthe NHC Summer Institute. Singles andcouples, children, teenagers, and seniors join together to create an inclusive commu-nity to celebrate the multiplicity of Jewishexperience. While many participants aremembers of independent havurot in theirhome communities, others are members of synagogues or are unaffiliated. About one-third of the participants each year are first-time attendees, for whom mentors will beavailable upon request. The NHC is com-mitted to creating a community that wel-comes Jewish women and men of everyage, stage, and orientation. Whatever yourJewish education or denominational affilia-tion, whether you are Sephardi orAshkenazi, whether you were born Jewishor became Jewish, you will be a valuedthread in the Institute tapestry.We are also committed to providingaccess to all NHC programs for those atvarious levels of financial ability. Please seethe Scholarship/Work Study section of theregistration form for more information.
A DAY AT THE INSTITUTE
Your typical weekday schedule mayinclude:• Movement, yoga, silent meditation, ortraditional Minyan• Breakfast• Alternative morning minyan (prayer ser-vice) or study session• Joining the family segments of children’sprogramming• Morning class• Morning workshop• Lunch• Afternoon class• Afternoon workshop• Free time• Dinner• Concert, performance or discussion(baby-sitting provided)• Snacks• Late-night conversation, singing, Israelidancing, games...
MINYANIM(PRAYER SERVICES)
Each weekday morning, optional minyan-im are offered. On any given morningthere is a choice of prayer styles; includingtraditional egalitarian (before breakfast),havurah-style, family, feminist, four-worlds, meditative, and chanting. A “learn-er’s minyan” enables those who are not yetfamiliar with the structure of the morningservice to learn and pray together. Someservices are led mostly in Hebrew; othersuse a mixture of Hebrew and English.Most have lots of singing. Prayer booksprovide translation and some translitera-tion of the Hebrew.A study session during minyan timemay be available for those who would liketo use this time for learning together.Mincha (afternoon) and Ma’ariv(evening) services are also scheduled daily.
CHILDREN’S CAMP
The NHC children’s camp is guided by astaff of professional educators many of whom have been returning for years. Theycreate Jewish experiences based on thehavurah model — participatory, diverse,and age-appropriate. The program alsomakes full use of the adult teaching faculty,Artists-in-Residence, and other members of the Institute community. It operates duringscheduled program times, offering childrenthe opportunity to create their own havu-rah community at the Institute.• Jewish-oriented playtime for babies andtoddlers• Creative, developmentallyappropriate Jewish learning forpreschool children• Community-building with funand Judaic content for children of ele-mentary-school age• Short, meaningful prayer services eachmorning• field trips around campus• Creative Shabbat service developed andled by the young people• The Great Outdoors — supervised recre-ation in a safe environmentThe Children’s Camp is designed for chil-dren from six months to twelve years oldwho can participate in an all-day creativeprogram. We do our best to accommodateall children. Please contact the office if your child receives special assistance inschool during the year, so we can help youplan for your child’s needs in the contextof the children’s community as a whole.Free baby-sitting is available duringevening programs.
TEEN PROGRAM
Every year teenagers at the Institute build a
teen community. Its purpose is to comple-ment the adult activities and classes in whichthe teens participate. The community pro-vides a home base and an inclusive and spir-ited group of friends for all NHC teen par-ticipants, some of whom attend with theirfamilies. The teen community strives tomake the NHC experience even richer bothspiritually and socially. Adult advisors,themselves Institute attendees, are availableto teenagers for checking-in and trouble-
shooting. If you have any questions call theNHC office for assistance or to be connectedwith a current NHC teen.Teens may work in the Children’sCamp or the institute office for a reductionin attendance fees. See the section on page14 or call the NHC office for more informa-tion.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Evening and Shabbat programs bring thecommunity together for friendship, learn-ing, prayer, music, dance and family fun.The week starts with a community gather-ing and ends with a closing circle. Duringthe week, we have presentations by ourPoretsky Artists-in-Residence and their stu-dents, an annual auction to raise scholarshipfunds, an evening of learning, concerts,dancing, and many other special treats.
SHABBAT
The Institute week culminates with Shabbat.The intense experience in Jewish living, thesense of community, the intellectual andspiritual excitement of the classes and work-shops, and friendships made during theweek come together as we welcome Shabbatwith a Kabbalat Shabbat service and festiveFriday evening meal. Singing, story-telling,
and socializing round out the evening.Our Shabbat morning schedule includesmorning services in various styles, followedby lunch, more singing, and special presenta-
tions throughout the afternoon — or youcan simply relax and just enjoy the lovelynatural setting. Following
Seudah Shlishit
(the third Shabbat meal), we end Shabbatwith a joyful Havdalah ceremony.
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