National Jewish Retreat 2026: Full Schedule

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

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9:15am EDT

Antiques Roadshow, Jewish Medicine Edition: Stories, Secrets, and Surprising Artifacts from Our Medical Past

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

Step into a Jewish twist on Antiques Roadshow, where curious artifacts come with remarkable stories. In this fast-paced session, Dr. Reichman reveals exceedingly rare, never exhibited medical items from across Jewish history—including some suspected forgeries. You will learn the true origins and significance of each piece, uncovering the surprising role Jews played in shaping the world of medicine.

Speakers

Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
Crystal

Lecture

9:15am EDT

How Chasidus Changed My Life

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

White & Gold 1

What keeps an entrepreneur grounded, clear-headed, and functional turns out to have nothing to do with revenue and everything to do with an ancient body of wisdom most businesspeople have never heard of. This is the story of how daily study of Chasidic thought became the one practice that holds everything else together.

Speakers

Mr. Josh Goldhirsch

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

9:15am EDT

Spirituality Deficiency Syndrome: The Quiet Crisis in the Jewish Soul—And How to Fix It

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

White & Gold 2

Could your soul be suffering from "Spirituality Deficiency Syndrome"? Through humor, powerful stories, and timeless Jewish wisdom, discover why so many of us feel spiritually depleted—and learn how to reconnect with the meaning and purpose we've been searching for.

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 →

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

9:15am EDT

The Khazars and the Jews: The True Story behind the Modern Myths

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT

Ivanka

Long before the Khazar Kingdom was distorted into modern antisemitic tropes, it was a real and complex empire with a compelling historical story. This session explores what scholars actually know about the Khazars, what they did and did not become, and how their history has been misused today. We will separate real history from modern mythmaking and uncover why the truth about the Khazars matters today.

Speakers

Dr. Henry Abramson

Friday August 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:05am EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

10:20am EDT

A Lovable, Vulnerable G-d: The Surprising Jewish Understanding of the Divine

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

White & Gold 2

We often imagine G-d as all-powerful, self-sufficient, and beyond human need. Yet Jewish thought paints a far more surprising picture: of a G-d who loves, waits, forgives, and even makes Himself vulnerable in pursuit of a relationship with humanity. Join Rabbi Manis Friedman for a fresh look at the Divine qualities that make G-d not only awe-inspiring, but deeply lovable.

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 →

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

10:20am EDT

Does Religion Produce Monsters? Faith, Fanaticism, and the Fine Line In-Between

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

Ivanka

Faith has moved people to acts of courage, kindness, and sacrifice, and it has also been used to justify cruelty and control. When does devotion cross into fanaticism? This session examines how sacred ideas can be distorted by fear and power, and how authentic Jewish wisdom offers safeguards against faith becoming dangerous.

Speakers

Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

10:20am EDT

Hacking the Human Mind: Brain Chips, AI, and the Future of Free Will

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

Crystal

The mind was humanity's last private place. Now, brain chips and AI are breaking down the door. As technology learns to decode—and perhaps influence—our thoughts, who controls your mind, your choices, and your freedom? Welcome to the next frontier of medical ethics.

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 →

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
Crystal

Lecture

10:20am EDT

Holding On Without Holding Tight: Bitachon, Anxiety, and the Art of Letting Go

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT

White & Gold 1

Many people believe in G-d, yet still feel overwhelmed by fear, pressure, and the need to control everything around them. Drawing on classical Jewish wisdom and a modern understanding of stress and the nervous system, this session explores how bitachon can help us move from anxiety and emotional exhaustion toward greater calm, resilience, and inner steadiness."

Speakers

Mrs. Stephanie Abrahami

Friday August 7, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Anchored: Finding the Foundation That Holds You—In the Storm and in the Stillness

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

White & Gold 1

This is the true story of a relationship with Hashem that grew in the cracks of chronic pain and anxiety. The story of discovering that the anchor was never something to be built—it was something to be found, felt, and turned toward. Drawing from the wisdom of Chasidus and the insights of modern psychology, Anchored offers practical tools for becoming more intentional in thought, speech, and action — so you can open the vessel, deepen the relationship, and root yourself in the One anchor that never moves.

Speakers

Mrs. Terri Klein

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Do Jews Belong on the Temple Mount? Understanding the Halachah and History Behind the Question

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

White & Gold 2

When did Jews ascend the Temple Mount—and when did they not? Explore the historical record and the halachic sources that shaped Jewish practice across the centuries. Discover how that history informs one of the most significant halachic questions of our time: should Jews ascend the Temple Mount today?

Speakers

Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman

Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman co-directs the Jewish Learning Institute’s curriculum department. He has authored, edited, or otherwise participated in creating over twenty JLI courses on numerous Jewish topics, including Life in the Balance (Jewish Medical Ethics), How Happiness Thinks (Positive... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Gratitude Is an Attitude: The Life-Changing Power of Appreciation

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Crystal

What if the secret to a richer, happier life isn’t getting more, but noticing more? Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet explores the transformative power of gratitude and how a shift in perspective can change the way we experience our relationships, challenges, and everyday lives.

Speakers

Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Crystal

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Pulsating MatriarX: Part 2 Living the Rachel and Leah Paradigm

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Majestic

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

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Majestic

Lecture

11:25am EDT

Why I Won't Let Darkness Win: How to Keep Living When Your Heart Keeps Breaking

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT

Ivanka

Some stories challenge everything we think we know about resilience. Having endured loss and heartbreak that would break most people, Orit Mark Ettinger chose a different path. In this moving and inspiring presentation, she shares her family's extraordinary journey, the faith that sustained them, and the decision to keep choosing light, even in life's darkest moments.

Speakers

Mrs. Orit Mark Ettinger

Friday August 7, 2026 11:25am - 12:15pm EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

3:05pm EDT

How I Went from PLO Sympathizer to Pro-Israel Advocate

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT

White & Gold 2

Once a celebrity journalist with PLO sympathies, Molly Resnick’s life took an unexpected turn toward Jewish learning and life. In this powerful session, she shares the eye-opening moments that reshaped her identity, her values, and her mission.

Speakers

Mrs. Molly Resnick

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
White & Gold 2

Lecture

3:05pm EDT

Jews, Meet History: We've Been Here Before

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT

Crystal

The names are different. The circumstances are new. The questions are remarkably familiar. Join historian Dr. Henry Abramson for a fascinating journey through the moments in Jewish history that feel uncannily relevant today—and the wisdom they offer for what comes next.

Speakers

Dr. Henry Abramson

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Crystal

Lecture

3:05pm EDT

Will the Real Leader Please Stand Up? Who Really Shapes the World—and Why?

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT

White & Gold 1

History remembers great leaders—but what actually made them great? Discover the Jewish perspective on leadership, influence, and the qualities that leave a lasting impact on the people and world around us.

Speakers

Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski

Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski is the director of Chabad of the Town in Montreal, Canada. A beloved community rabbi and educator, he delivers classes on numerous Jewish topics to diverse audiences.

Friday August 7, 2026 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
White & Gold 1

Lecture

6:45pm EDT

Shabbat: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth

Friday August 7, 2026 6:45pm - 7:00pm EDT

Ivanka

Speakers

Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Friday August 7, 2026 6:45pm - 7:00pm EDT
Ivanka

Lecture

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

10:20am 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

3:05pm EDT

3:05pm EDT

3:05pm EDT

6:45pm EDT

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