18 Reasons To Come On Berkeley Hillel's Freshman Retreat

    Get acquainted with the Jewish community at Cal and meet friends for a lifetime! Sign up here!

    rachel624
    by rachel624

    Community Contributor

    Freshman Retreat is almost here, and we can't wait to take off!

    Here's 18 reasons why you should come!!!

    1. Meet New People!

    The retreat is a great opportunity to meet other freshman, as most of the event is socially oriented. This will lead you to finding your best friends! We just know it will happen to you because... it happened to us!

    2. Start the Journey to Your Jewish Identity

    College is all about exploring and finding yourself, and that includes your cultural beliefs! You don't have to be previously Jewishly involved in order to come on the retreat! We have an amazing range of traditions and upbringings!

    3. Your Mom Will Be So Thrilled

    It's the beginning of the year and you're already involved?! I'm kvelling! I could plotz!

    4. Learn About Berkeley Hillel

    We won't flood you with information, but come talk to students who are involved and find out all the awesome things we offer, like a free trip to the holy land... ISRAEL! Woot woot!

    5. Team Building Activities... Duh!

    Bond with your classmates and take part in some really cool and creative team building exercises! But we promise, we won't drop you.

    6. Get Outta The Berkeley Bubble into the Beautiful Outdoors

    We are going to Westminster Woods in beautiful NorCal. It’s a beautiful area in the Redwoods 2 hours north of San Francisco. Check out the website: http://www.westminsterwoods.org/

    7. Jam by the Campfire

    All I'm saying is there will be a campfire, a guitar, a ukulele, and some voices. What can go wrong?

    8. Be The Jew You Wish To See In The World

    Looking at Cal Jewish life and feel super inspired (like everyone else in this world, obviously)?! Find out about all our Jewish leadership opportunities: JSU (Jewish Student Union) and all its 10+ Jewish student groups on campus plus all the awesome things Hillel has to offer!

    9. Meet Your Jewish Mispocha!

    You know there's that instant connection between you and someone else the moment you both realize you're Jewish. Come experience that feeling of familiarity 24/7. Judaism, ammirite?!

    *Mispocha = the yiddish word for family, in hebrew it is Mishpacha

    10. Exposure to Something New

    Come and learn something new! Whether it's a new way to observe Judaism and it's practices, a new yoga pose, or even new words (and obviously acronyms because we are at Berkeley, of course!). (i.e. JIY = Jew It Yourself)

    11. PLAY JEWISH GEOGRAPHY!!

    Hebrew school, Jewish summer camp, youth group, an Israel trip – we've all done them, or known someone who did them. You say a first name and I'll say a last name... We both know the same Sarah Cohen?! No way!?

    12. Meet the Freshman Fellows (FF)

    You know those people who have offered to take you out to coffee? If not, we WILL ask you, so get your orders ready! Those are the Freshman Fellows! We are students just like you and are looking forward to the retreat and getting to know you all! Remembering all of their names is the hard part!

    13. Meet Our Super Chillel Hillel Staff

    like our #ironrabbi, Rabbi Adam, among many others and hear about all the awesome things Hillel has to offer like paid Fellowships, Committees, and a free trip to Israel #birthright

    14. #TBT to Camp Dazeee

    Throwbank to Jewish camp? How can you be a Jew without going to camp at least once?

    CAMP TBT up in here. We've got a ROPES COURSE. We've got S'MORES. All the main homies are here.

    15. Find Your Future Significant Other?

    College is a place for lifelong friends...and lifelong companions? You never know! It's happened before. #jewishbabies

    16. There Will Be Food, And Lots Of It!

    FREE FOOD.

    * this gif is not endorsed by the International Kosher Council*

    17. Be Proud

    of your heritage and the AWESOME (!) Jewish community at Cal! Go BEARS!

    18. It's Only $25!

    For transportation, food, housing, and fun... that's a damn good price for awesomeness! Save that money for a rainy day!

    HAVE A MATZO-BALLER TIME!

    We can't wait to meet you all and share the fun!

    Here's the link to sign up now!

    Here's the link to sign up now!

    19.

    Jonathan Ernst

    U.S. President Barack Obama wears a traditional head covering as he delivers remarks on Jewish American History Month at the Adas Israel Congregation synagogue in Washington May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX1E5M9