Your Hands Are the Hands of G!d
The MOSh Retreat 2026
The Claggett Center
Adamstown, MD
April 30 – May 3, 2026
Schedule
*subject to change *
Thursday, April 30
- 3:30pm – 5:30 Arrival and check in Christiane Inn Lobby
- 6-7pm Dinner (SugarLoaf Dining Room)
- 7:15 – 8pm Maariv – led by R’ Mark, Rena & The Holy Levites (Monocacy)
- 8 – 9pm Opening Circle, followed by followed by snacks, visiting,
Friday, May 1
- 7:15 – 8am – Contemplative Yoga
Led by Larissa Blechman – a sweet and gentle entrance into the day – no experience necessary – can be done with mat (BYO) or chair (Monocacy) - 7:30 – 8:15 Meditation
Led by DDK No experience necessary, just a willingness and desire to let go (Tidball, in Hotel) - 8 – 9am Breakfast (Sugarloaf dinning room)
- 9:30 – 10:15 Shacharit led by Rena (Monocacy)
- 10:30 – 11:45 From Lectio Divina to Kriat Ha-Kodesh: A Contemplative Approach to Reading Sacred Text
Led by R’ Leila Gal Berner (Monocacy)
Based on a Christian method of reading Scripture – lectio divina (reading the holy) – Reb Leila invites us to read our sacred text with open hearts and vivid imaginations. A contemplative and heart-opening opportunity. Bring a writing pad or other. - 12-1 Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:15pm Storytelling Workshop (Monocacy)
Led by Shulamit Fagan – Personal storytelling (Moncacy) Bring something to write with and on (i.e. paper or computer) And bring 3 photos… of anything! (Full description below) - 1:30 – 3:15pm From Age-ing to Sage-ing: Ego to Soul – Led by Lucinda Kurtz and Oren Hesterman
(Tidball, in hotel) Based on Reb Zalman’s z’l groundbreaking book From Aging to Saging, this workshop is for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. (Full description below) - 3:30pm – 5:30 Friday Arrivals check in Christiane Inn Lobby
- 3:30 – 4:15 Pre-Shabbat Sing
Led by Rena – Joyfully immerse in Rena’s original melodies, some of which we will be using over the course of Shabbat
(Monocacy) - 4:30 Pre-Shabbat Walking & Singing the Labyrinth –
Led by Maryrita & Roxanne – weather permitting (Meet outside Monocacy doors) - 6-7 Dinner
- 6:45 – 7:15 Shabbat Walk (Monocacy lobby and hallway)
- 7:15 Candlelighting (Location TBA)
- 7:30 – 8:45 Kabbalat Shabbat
Led by R’ Mark, Rena & The Holy Levites with special guest guitarist Gerry Kunkel – Wear White (Monocacy) - 8:45 Oneg Shabbat – desserts! (Monocacy)
Saturday, May 2
- 7:15 – 8am – Contemplative Yoga
Led by Larissa Blechman (Monocacy)
A sweet and gentle entrance into the day – no experience necessary – can be done with mat (BYO) or chair - 7:30 – 8:15 Meditation
Led by DDK – No experience necessary, just a willingness and desire to let go (Tidball, in Hotel) - 8- 9am Breakfast
- 9 – 9:45 Torah study (Monocacy)
- 10-12:15 Shacharit (Monocacy)
Led by R’ Mark, Rena & The Holy Levites, with special guest guitarist Gerry Kunkel) - 12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
- After lunch: Shabbat time = Down time, visiting time, walk time, nap time = self-care time
- 1:30 – 3pm The Chaplain Is In
If you would like to meet with a chaplain for a short visit here at the retreat, please contact David Balto in person or by email before the retreat at david.balto@dcantitrustlaw.com. You will schedule a meeting time together. - 1:45 – Friends of Bill (Tidball, in hotel)
- 3 – 3:50 Study Session Led by Deborah Lesk (Monocacy) The Wisdom of Rebbe Nachman:
Meaningful Practices for Our Time - 4 – 4:50pm My Trip to India Led by DDK (Tidball in Hotel) DD shares reflections on his trip to India, with an emphasis on the discoveries he made about the overlap between Buddhism and Judaism
- 4 – 4:45 Sing When the Spirit Says Sing
Led by Roxanne – An opportunity to sing together, melodies old and new (In the silo, space limited) - 5pm Healing Service Led by R’ Mark (Monocacy)
- 6-7 Dinner
- 7:20 The 4th Annual Hoff Memorial Cabaret (description below) Wear your most festive garb, and sign up to share something of yourself! If you’d like to offer something, speak to Shulamit at the retreat or email her at shulamit@dancingbearmail.com with “Cabaret” in the subject line (See description below for complete info) Includes Havdalah…followed by
Ecstatic Dance! (led by Jenna Hopp)
Sunday, May 3
- 8-9 Breakfast
(Turn in room key and out of room by 10am) - 10 Shacharit Led by R’ Mark & Carol Ash
Followed by Closing Circle (ends no later than 11:30 – Monocacy) - 11:30-12:30 Lunch
- 1pm – Safe travels and good-bye hugs
Workshop Descriptions
Friday
1:15 – 3:15 Personal Storytelling Workshop
I can help you get “unstuck”. Learn the importance of remembering your stories and tips for how to do it! No writing or story telling experience necessary. Bring something to write with and on (i.e. paper or computer)
And bring 3 photos… of anything! Join your MOSH community for a fun and useful workshop.
1:15 – 3:15 From Age-ing to Sage-ing: Ego to Soul
Based on Reb Zalman Scheckter Shalomi’s groundbreaking book, From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary New Approach to Growing Older, we present a roadmap for our eldering years and take initial steps on this journey. We invite you to revel in your accomplishments and harvest the joy and wisdom of your life experience. Releasing the need for continued ego gratification, we can feel empowered to use our talents for the next generation, the global community, and the earth. Join us as we explore how to transform fears of aging and our mortality and reside in a place of greater equanimity and acceptance.
Lucinda Kurtz, M.A. is a Brennan Healing Science Practitioner and Sage-ing Mentor, Vatika, committed to teaching the sage-ing path. A former professor of Women’s Studies, VP, National Women’s Political Caucus, Founder, Global Hopemakers, teacher of Kabbalah, and poet, Lucinda with Oran lead classes nationally and internationally that help people gain new understanding of what it means to grow older in today’s culture. From academia to political activism, non-profit leadership to immersion in the Jewish Renewal experience, Lucinda appreciates the challenges we experience and need for self-forgiveness and joy, especially in our later years.
Oran Hesterman, Ph.D., Founder of Fair Food Network and Sage-ing Mentor, Vatik, is committed to weaving together his professional work in sustainable food systems and his dedication to caring for others and the earth in keeping with the traditions and ethics of justice rooted in his Jewish heritage. Upon retiring, Oran returned to his life-long pursuit of staying in touch with the earth as a clay artist. He and Lucinda have embraced this sage-ing path as a way to transmit the powerful teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi to the next generation in hope of awakening more people to their responsibility to care for the earth and her people at this critical point in human history.
Hoff Memorial Cabaret (Saturday night)
Have a poem, joke, song, story, reflection, or something else 5-7 minutes or less that you’d like to share?
If you’d like to offer something, speak to Shulamit at the retreat or email her at shulamit@dancingbearmail.com with “Cabaret” in the subject line.
Wear festive clothing, as again, the Cabaret is in honor of the memory of our very own festive clothes wearing Hoff.
FAQ
Directions
Where to park/check in
Follow signs to Christianne Inn – enter through doors adjacent to parking lot
COVID Protocol
At the request of the community, we will once again have a COVID protocol to help everyone feel safe. Everyone is asked to COVID test the day of arrival (before you arrive). If you test positive – please stay home! Once we are at Claggett, everyone is welcome to follow their own safety measures by masking or not as they see fit. Needless to say that if you are not feeling well, please stay home.
What to Bring
- A travel mug or water bottle for water or hot drinks - Please - NO open containers in the davvenen space. That means NO mugs from the dining room.
Clothing - Check weather for Adamstown, MD
- White clothing for Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night)
- Festive/flamboyant clothing for Cabaret (Saturday night)
- Tallis (prayer shawl)
- Kippah (yarmulke)
Personal Items
- Medications
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Lightweight jacket/sweatshirt
- Hat
- PJs
- Spare glasses
- Yoga mat (if desired)
- Pen/Pencil and Journal
- Stuffed animals (Adon Olam parade!)
- Consider bringing something special to you, to create sacred space in your room
There is a fridge on the 2nd floor of the hotel for our personal use if you wish to bring your own snacks. There is also a microwave.