One-Day Retreat
Penninsula JCC
December 13, 2026
Divorce can be one of life's most painful transitions, but you don't have to navigate it alone.
Join us for a day of healing, connection, laughter, and Jewish wisdom designed especially for Jewish adults who are divorced or in the process of divorce. Drawing on the most beloved experiences from our acclaimed four-day retreats, this immersive day offers a welcoming community where you can be fully yourself while discovering new sources of resilience, hope, and meaning.
Together we will explore timeless Jewish teachings that speak powerfully to life's endings and new beginnings. Through meaningful conversation, experiential workshops, and shared ritual, you'll find support, practical tools, and the comfort of being with others who truly understand the journey.
When
December 13, 2026
Sunday
Who
Anyone who has navigated the multi-faceted challenges of divorce or the end of a long-term relationship, and is seeking healing, reflection, and renewal within a warm, accepting Jewish community.
This retreat welcomes adults of all ages who are longing for the peacefulness of a gorgeous retreat setting, meaningful connection, and Jewish wisdom to help guide them forward.
What
The day includes:
Small Havurah groups that foster authentic connection and community.
Inspiring elective workshops such as:
Navigating transitions and creating the Jewish rituals we wish we had
The weekly Torah portion through the lens of divorce
Men's journeys through divorce
Dating, intimacy, and relationships after divorce
An Open Space session where participants create conversations around the topics that matter most to them.
A moving community Divorce Tashlich ritual of reflection, release, and renewal.
A delicious lunch and plenty of time for informal conversation and new friendships.
Whether your divorce is recent or years behind you, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with yourself, deepen your Jewish journey, and discover that healing happens best in community.
Come as you are. Leave with new insights, new friendships, and renewed hope.
Cost
The cost for the day retreat is $175. If you are a program alumnus, we offfer a 10% discount.
What Past Participants are Saying
“It turns out, what I really needed for full closure and to move into my future with hope and optimism was healing in my own language, in my own culture.”
“The Divorce & Discovery weekend at Camp Tawonga exceeded all expectations. The rituals created by the incredible leaders felt so natural, as if Judaism was always meant to support the (unfortunate) life-cycle event of divorce.”
“A friend asked me how the retreat was, and my response was ‘life changing.’”
Retreat Overview
Every aspect of Divorce & Discovery is intentionally designed to guide you on a journey of release, letting go of hurt, anger, guilt, and resentment while being held by a supportive Jewish community.
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Attending our retreat can feel intimidating. To help you feel grounded and connected, all participants are placed into a Havurah—a small, facilitated retreat friendship group.
You will meet twice during the one-day retreat to…
Get to know one another
Process the day’s experiences
Share stories and reflections
Serve as anchors of support for one another
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You’ll be invited to choose your own learning adventure. Our rabbis, Jewish educators, and divorce experts offer a range of workshops that weave together divorce healing with big Jewish ideas and lived experience.
Electives may include:
Creative Arts & Reflection such as: “Write a New Ketubah” - crafting personal agreements and intentions for this next chapter of your life
Jewish Healing Texts - exploring Torah and Jewish wisdom through a divorce and healing lens
Inventing Rituals - co-creating the rituals we wish existed to meet our deepest needs
Dating After Divorce - practical, grounded guidance for re-entering the world of relationships
Whether you’re drawn to text, creativity, ritual, or real-life tools, these electives offer meaningful ways to reflect, heal, and imagine what comes next.
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Through the sacred act of Jewish ritual, we will honor, process and offer you a path to move through whatever stage of the divorce journey you are in:
Connectedness & Joy – We know that when we sing in community, we feel interconnected and joyful.
Letting Go – Tashlich is the ritual associated with Rosh Hashanah of throwing bread crumbs in a body of water to symbolically release the things we want to let go. During the retreat, partake in this healing ritual as we throw small stones into a nearby lake and recite individual and communal prayers of letting go.
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Professional experts and religious and spiritual leaders will help you find a path back to wholeness. From rabbis, therapists and healers to divorce coaches, yoga instructors and challenge course facilitators, our team of guides is here to support you:
Rabbis and Jewish Educators – These spiritual leaders will be the backbone of the weekend’s Jewish learning and engagement. They will lead workshops, Jewish rituals and art-focused activities to help facilitate healing.
Therapists – Therapists (along with our faculty) will help facilitate the Havurah Groups and be available in the afternoons to check in with participants who sign up to meet with them.
Certified Divorce Coaches – To provide expert, empathic listening and suggestions for specific approaches and activities for people going through the early phases of divorce.
Massage Therapists – Two massage therapists will be at camp during the retreat offering 50 minute massage sessions which are included in your fee. Body work can be both healing and comforting.
Yoga & Nature Walks – Physical movement helps us to be in sync with our bodies and tap into newfound strength. Our yoga instructor will support participants to still the mind, feel grounded in the body and connected to the breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You may cancel before November 22, 2026 and receive a refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
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This retreat will support people who feel broken and in pain following a separation from a close romantic partner. You do not need to have been married to attend, nor do you need to have officially divorced. If you aren’t sure if the program is right for you, reach Rabbi Deborah Newbrun to discuss at deborah@divorceanddiscovery.org.
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While you don’t have to be Jewish to attend, anyone who joins should have an open mind and an interest in Judaism. A major focus of the retreat will be engaging in Jewish rituals and practices as a way to process and heal from divorce. We expect all types of Jews and Jew adjacent folks to attend.
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The PJCC parking lot offers ample parking.
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If you have made the decision to no longer be with your life partner, and want to experience healing through Jewish ritual, then this is the right program for you. If you’re not sure, please contact Rabbi Deborah Newbrun at deborah@tawonga.org. She will be happy to discuss with you.
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Yes. The pain and suffering caused by divorce can stay with us for a very long time. This retreat will still have much value for you, no matter how many years have passed since your divorce.
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Yes! Participants from previous retreats are welcome to join again. The program will feel familiar and at the same time, offer continued healing and growth.
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We can’t be sure who will sign up, we anticipate having LGBTQ as well as straight participants and welcome everyone.
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Check out our general FAQs for weekend programs. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to Rabbi Deborah Newbrun with questions relating specifically to the retreat at deborah@divorceanddiscovery.org.
For registration, housing, or other logistical questions, please reach out to liz@divorceanddiscovery.org she will be happy to support you. -
Continental breakfast
Lunch
Jewish-Divorce themed workshops
Havurah Group Assignments for Sharing and Community Building
Questions?
feel free to reach out to Deborah Newbrun with questions relating specifically to the retreat at deborah@divorceanddiscovery.org. For registration, housing, or other logistical questions, please reach out to Liz at liz@divorceanddiscovery.org.