Frequently Asked Questions:

About the Retreat:

How long are the retreats and when will they take place?

The first summer retreat starts on Sunday, June 28th at 2pm and officially ends on Tuesday, June 30^th at 2pm. There will be optional activities for the rest of Tuesday day for those that want to extend their trip. The second summer retreat will be from Sunday, August 16th – Tuesday, August 18^th. Following the summer retreats we will be running retreats throughout the year as well.

Where will the retreats be located and where will we be staying?

The summer retreats will be held at the Wilburton Inn in Manchester, Vermont and surrounding areas including Dorset and Danby. Some of the programming and meals will take place at the Crispe residence in Danby, a beautifully rural area with spectacular views of the mountains. The Wilburton Inn (www.wilburtoninn.com) is a beautiful, historic inn which was rated by CNN as one of the top 8 US mansion hotels.

Are the retreats for adults only or are children allowed?

Because of the nature of the retreats which are fully packed days, we are focused on an adults-only program. However, based on the age of the children, we may possibly offer some babysitting services so please be in touch with us directly if you are interested.

How large are the retreats?

We will be keeping the retreats small and intimate so that we can do activities as a group (hiking, bonfires) and everyone is able to participate and actively engage in all programming. Our ideal size is 10-20 people.

What are the rooms like in the Wilburton Inn?

Each room is unique with a different set up with the majority having a King or Queen bed. There are rooms that are available with two queen beds if that is requested in advanced. If you have a specific requirement please let us know as soon as possible and we will try our best to accommodate. Please see their website for more information about the Inn: www.wilburtoninn.com.

Who will be catering the retreat and what if we have allergies?

The cooking will be done in the Crispe home by a professional cook. Everything will be glatt kosher / chalav yisrael / pas yisrael. At every meal there will be vegetarian options as well as gluten free food and allergen free. If there are special needs this does not cover we can arrange for that as well with advanced notice.

Who are the speakers at the retreat?

The main speakers are Rabbi Asher and Sara Esther Crispe (see bios below) who will be speaking both formally and informally throughout. The retreat is set up that every part of the program is an educational opportunity so learning will be included on hikes, during other activities, etc. There will also be professionals leading the workshops such as art, music, and the tours.

Rabbi Asher Crispe is the Co-Director of Interinclusion.org, a multi-layered educational non-profit celebrating the convergence between contemporary arts and sciences and timeless Jewish wisdom.

He is a highly knowledgeable technology expert and futurist as well as a media aficionado with a thorough and intimate knowledge of emerging developments in science and the digital universe.

With over 20 years of experience as an educator, he regularly travels the world as a speaker/lecturer teaching in Jewish centers and academic institutions. He specializes in illuminating the arts and sciences through the lens of the Torah. His lectures have focused on: music, film, art, architecture, gender theory, psychology, education, economics, regenerative medicine and physics.

He has worked with Rabbi Ginsburgh on numerous books while serving as the Educational Director of the Gal Einai Institute in Israel. He has also served as a consultant for financial, medical and technological projects all relating to future trends.

To watch some of Rabbi Crispe’s talks, please click here: http://www.torahcafe.com/scholar/rabbi-asher-crispe_0000000029.html

Sara Esther Crispe the Co-Director of Interinclusion.org has traveled the world as a sought out motivational speaker and educator, presenting on interpersonal relationships and the Kabbalistic approach to self-development. Sara Esther was also the creator of TheJewishWoman.org where she served as its editor for eight years, served as Director of Communications for the Chabad on Campus International Foundation and has worked with Part2Pictures as a consultant on Judaism for shows on the Oprah Winfrey Network and HARPO Productions.

A prolific writer, her pieces can be found, amongst other places, on The Huffington Post, Times of Israel and Chabad.org. She is currently working on a book about parenthood titled, “I Used to be the Perfect Mother, Then I Had Kids.” She lives with her husband, Rabbi Asher Crispe, and four children in Danby, Vermont.

To watch some of Sara Esther’s talks, please click here: http://www.torahcafe.com/scholar/mrs-sara-esther-crispe_0000000065.html

What is the theme of each retreat?

The first retreat (June 28-30 / Tammuz 11-13) will focus on the topic: “The Ride Inside: Re-envisioning Ourselves, Others and the World

The second retreat (August 16-18 / Elul 1-3) will focus on: “The Challenge of Change: Preparing for a New Year and New Reality” [Note the new dates!! Previously advertised as  August 23-25.]

What types of activities will be offered?

The retreats offer numerous opportunities so that each participant can choose and custom make the experience. There is also free time scheduled for participants to explore the area and further engage in activities of their choice. Group activities include: painting and writing workshops, hiking/walks, time at the lake (options for canoeing, kayaking or paddle boating), bonfires with musical entertainment, classes, morning meditations and more….

There are art structures throughout the grounds of the Inn as well as tennis courts, a swimming pool and bikes can be rented. There are plenty of trails as well for independent hiking. There is also an arrangement with a local golf course for golfing, and the Inn is a five minute drive from the Manchester Outlets for shopping, Hildene (the Lincoln home) which offers tours and many other options…

Who is the retreat geared for?

We do not have a “target” audience rather we are looking for those who want to truly immerse themselves in an environment of growth, discussion and exploration. The goal of the retreat is to recharge our batteries by escaping the hustle and bustle of life and give ourselves the time in a naturally beautiful setting to really delve deep within while learning how to better connect with those around us.

How do we sign up and what is the cost?

Please contact us at info@interinclusion.org and we will send you a registration form. The cost is $475 per person based on double occupancy. If you are coming on your own we can possibly arrange for you to share a room with another guest if you would like or if you would like your own room the cost is $625 for single occupancy.

About Manchester, Vermont (Southern Vermont):

How far away is Manchester from NYC?

Manchester is just under a 4 hour drive from Manhattan, 5 hours from Philadelphia.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport is Rutland however the only flight is on Cape Air from Boston (Logan airport). From there one can rent a car and the drive is about ½ an hour. Alternatively one can fly to Albany, NY and drive from there (roughly 1 ½ hours).

Is there public transportation?

Amtrak has a daily stop in Rutland, VT which is about 30 min. from Manchester.

If we want to extend our stay, what is there to do in and around Manchester?

Here is a link to places in or around Manchester. If you let us know what you are interested in, we are more than happy to provide more ideas!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g57312-Activities-Manchester_Vermont.html

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