National Jewish Retreat 2026: Full Schedule

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

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9:15am EDT

Breaking the Overthinking Habit: How to Let Go of Fear and Live with Trust

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

Can we really live with less worry? Yes: not because life becomes predictable—but because we become anchored. This class explores the difference between emunah and bitachon and offers a practical road map to seeing G-d’s hand in the details of everyday life. When faith becomes trust, life begins to feel lighter.

Speakers

Mrs. Sarah Pachter

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

9:15am EDT

Do All Dogs Go to Heaven? Do Animals Have Souls? And What Makes Humans Unique?

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

Ivanka

What truly separates humans from the rest of creation? Do animals possess souls, and if so, what makes the human soul unique? Explore the fascinating Jewish perspective on instinct, consciousness, and the spiritual difference between humans and animals.

Speakers

Rabbi Yechiel Krisch

Rabbi Yechiel Krisch is a science journalist and rabbi. His coverage of biomedicine, technology, environmental issues, space, mathematics, and health policy has appeared in The New York Times, Scientific American, The Atlantic, and numerous other publications. As an ordained rabbi... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

9:15am EDT

I Didn't Ask to Be Born

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

Crystal

You didn't ask for life, so why does life ask so much of you? Rabbi Manis Friedman explores the deepest questions of existence, purpose, and responsibility, uncovering a perspective that can transform the way you think about being here in the first place.

Speakers

Rabbi Manis Friedman

Rabbi Manis Friedman is a world-renowned author, lecturer, philosopher, co-founder of the Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies, and founder of It’s Good to Know website. He is the most popular rabbi on YouTube and is the author of numerous books on relationships and ethics including, The... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
Crystal

Lecture

9:15am EDT

Stalin Couldn’t Break Him, Hitler Couldn’t Crush Him: The Rebbe’s Blueprint for Defeating Antisemitism

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

White & Gold 2

Stalin tried to erase Jewish life. Hitler tried to annihilate it. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson—the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe—answered with unstoppable, defiant Jewish strength. This session uncovers his radical, courage‑driven blueprint and shows how it can transform the way we confront antisemitism today, moving us from fear and reaction to bold, visible, and proudly Jewish living.

Speakers

Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie

Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie is a senior Chabad shliach in Yorba Linda, California. He is the author of Undaunted, a biography of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe. His first book, The Secret of Chabad, was honored by the National Jewish Book Award. Rabbi Eliezrie is active in national and global Jewish affairs, serving on the Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel and as president of the Rabbinical Council of Orange County, California... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

10:20am EDT

G-d: The Original They/Them: Because the Creator of the Universe Doesn't Fit in Your Box

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

Crystal

Think you’ve got the Infinite figured out? Think again. In Jewish mysticism, the Divine isn’t just a “He” in the sky—it’s a reality that defies every category we try to impose on it. Join us as we explore the ultimate paradox: how G-d can be intimately present in every detail of life, yet remain infinitely beyond the reach of the entire universe.

Speakers

Mrs. Rivkah Slonim

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
Crystal

Lecture

10:20am EDT

The Legacy Letter: What Future Generations Will Thank You For

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

White & Gold 2

What do you want to leave behind? Through timeless Jewish wisdom, inspiring stories, and a powerful reflective exercise, discover how clarifying your deepest values can transform the way you live today—and the legacy you leave for tomorrow.

Speakers

Rabbi Moshe Bryski

Rabbi Moshe Bryski is the director and spiritual leader of Chabad of the Conejo in Agoura Hills, California. He oversaw the establishment of numerous neighboring Chabad centers and founded the Conejo Jewish Academy, an adult Jewish education institution serving 3,000 students annually... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

10:20am EDT

The Rabbis Who Predicted Uterus Transplants: How a Forgotten Rabbinic Debate Became Medical Reality

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10pm EDT

White & Gold 1

A woman receives a transplanted uterus and gives birth. It sounds like a modern medical miracle. Yet rabbis were discussing uterus transplants long before they were performed. In fact, they debated the legal implications more than a century ago. Explore the remarkable story of the question that arrived one hundred years too early—and the Jewish legal issues it raises today.

Speakers

Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:20am - 11:10pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

11:25am EDT

From Conservative Rabbi to Chabad: From Guitars on the Bimah to Black Hats on Shabbos

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

White & Gold 2

A respectful inside look at the liberal Jewish movements and how I was led from being a
Conservative progressive liberal rabbi to becoming a Chasid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. A unique true story that is not only personal, but also encompasses the various movements in
Judaism and how Chabad stands out for many Jews who seek to understand Torah amidst
modernity.

Speakers

Rabbi David Nesenoff

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

11:25am EDT

JoyWorks: Jewish Wisdom for a Happy Life

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Ivanka

What if joy isn't something you find - but something you cultivate?
In this highly anticipated launch of his new book, Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet draws on timeless Jewish wisdom, compelling stories, and contemporary insights to reveal how lasting happiness is built, not stumbled upon. Discover practical tools for developing resilience, gratitude, purpose, and inner peace - even in the face of life's greatest challenges. Leave with a renewed perspective on what it truly means to live a joyful life.

Speakers

Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

11:25am EDT

The Secret Language of the Talmud: Why the Talmud Interrupts Jewish Law with Strange Tales

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

White & Gold 1

Why does the Talmud pause its legal debates to tell stories of demons, miracles, impossible journeys, and unforgettable characters? Explore some of the Talmud's most captivating tales and discover why the Sages used narrative to convey ideas that law alone could never express.

Speakers

Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Three Minutes Underwater: The Miracle That Changed Our Family Forever

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Crystal

One summer afternoon, a two-year-old girl was pulled lifeless from a swimming pool. What happened next would defy every expectation and transform an entire family's life. In this unforgettable and deeply moving presentation, Charlene Aminofff shares the miraculous story of her daughter Gali's survival, the crisis that tested her faith, and the lessons about trust, prayer, and Divine providence that continue to inspire thousands around the world.

Moderators

Mrs. Yael Trusch

Speakers

Mrs. Charlene Aminoff

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Crystal

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Unexpected Gifts of an Unexpected Journey: When Life's Detours Become Its Greatest Gifts

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Majestic

Some of life's greatest gifts arrive in packages we never would have chosen. Through a deeply personal story of raising a child with special needs, Rabbi Dovid Cohen explores how unexpected challenges can uncover deeper purpose, joy, and faith.

Speakers

Rabbi Dovid M. Cohen

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Majestic

Lecture

3:10pm EDT

Pulsating MatriarX - The Rachel and Leah Energies That Shape the Jewish Soul

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT

White & Gold 2

Rachel and Leah were more than biblical figures. They represent two powerful spiritual energies that continue to shape our inner world, our relationships, and the story of the Jewish people. Through the lens of Jewish mysticism, explore the hidden paradigms pulsating beneath the surface of the soul and discover how these ancient forces still live within us today

Speakers

Mrs. Rivkah Slonim

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

3:10pm EDT

What do Jews Really Think About Non-Jews: The Rebbe's Vision For All Humankind

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT

Crystal

For generations, Judaism's message was largely focused inward—building families, communities, and a sacred way of life. Yet the Rebbe envisioned something far bigger: a universal moral awakening that would elevate all of humanity. Time and again, proposals were made to bring this vision to the world, and time and again the answer was: not yet. What is this mission? Why did the Rebbe see it as so essential? And could it be that the moment he was waiting for has finally arrived?

Moderators

Rabbi Yosef Vogel

Speakers

Rabbi Manis Friedman

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
Crystal

Lecture

3:10pm EDT

Your Attention IS You: How to Control Your Mind Before it Controls You

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT

White & Gold 1

We live in a world engineered to distract us. Between endless notifications, mental overload, and constant pressure, staying focused has become one of modern life’s greatest challenges. In this practical and eye-opening session, Dr. Nachi Felt explores how your brain gets overwhelmed and shares a powerful tool to help you think more clearly, regain control of your mind, and focus on what matters most.

Speakers

Rabbi Dr. Nachi Felt

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

4:20pm EDT

Beat Swords into Plowshares: From Vision to Victory

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT

White & Gold 2

Can humanity ever truly move beyond conflict? From the prophets’ ancient vision of the messianic era to the turbulent realities of today’s world, this session explores Judaism’s dream of a future transformed, where war gives way to peace, destruction to growth, and the world moves closer to the coming of Mashiach.

Speakers

Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

4:20pm EDT

G-d, Where Were You? A Journey through Tragedy, Protest, and Unshakable Faith

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT

Crystal

When life breaks your heart, easy answers aren't enough. Explore the Jewish response to suffering, loss, and resilience through powerful stories and timeless Torah wisdom.

Speakers

Rabbi Moshe Bryski

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT
Crystal

Lecture

4:20pm EDT

If a Machine Could Carry Your Pregnancy . . . Should It? Ectogenesis and the Artificial Womb in Jewish Law

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT

White & Gold 1

For the first time in history, human pregnancy may soon take place entirely outside the body. As artificial womb technology moves from science fiction to medical reality, Jewish law faces unprecedented questions: Would an artificially gestated baby be considered human? Would it be Jewish? Would we violate Shabbos to save it? This session explores the sweeping Jewish legal and ethical implications of ectogenesis—and how the future of reproduction challenges our most fundamental assumptions.

Speakers

Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

4:20pm EDT

The Great Talmudic Debate: Who Has the Authority to Interpret G-d's Word?

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT

Majestic

Who decides what the Torah means? Discover the fascinating relationship between the Written and Oral Torahs, and how generations of sages shaped Jewish law without changing its Divine foundation.

Speakers

Rabbi Chaim Block

Thursday August 6, 2026 4:20pm - 5:10pm EDT
Majestic

Lecture

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

10:20am EDT

10:20am EDT

10:20am EDT

11:25am EDT

11:25am EDT

11:25am EDT

11:25am EDT

11:25am EDT

3:10pm EDT

3:10pm EDT

3:10pm EDT

4:20pm EDT

4:20pm EDT

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4:20pm EDT

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