While we are now facing the cold months ahead and camp season may be behind us, its impact on children and families lasts throughout the year and beyond. We look back with deep nostalgia on our unforgettable annual retreat, which was a great success. Migdal’s Jewish Family Retreat “Halom 28” was held August 12-19 at the beautiful Underhill Resort and Spa Hotel in the picturesque village of Pidgirya, Western Ukraine, surrounded by the stunning Carpathian Mountains. This location was carefully chosen as a safe haven, beyond the reach of rockets and drones. Our primary goal was to bring all participants out of the active war zone and provide a truly unique and meaningful experience.
Following the constant attacks on Odesa, Ukraine in the summer, travelling out of the active war zone proved extremely challenging. The entire journey by bus and train took fifteen hours to reach the most remote corner of Western Ukraine. In the middle of the trip, one of the buses was even struck by lightning and was unable to move for a while. Despite these challenges, the journey was deeply spiritual and uplifting. On our way we were blessed with the opportunity to visit the kever of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism, in Medzhybizh, before the High Holidays. It was the Baal Shem Tov who taught that joy always triumphs over even the deepest despair — and that we must never give up.
“Israel with a Backpack” was a main theme of “Halom 28”. Every day we filled our “knowledge backpacks” with “valuable artifacts” of thoughts, ideas, and impressions. We went on a virtual journey through the Holy Land – from Eilat to Metula, discovering amazing places, history and traditions step by step. Just as our forefather Abraham once traveled through Eretz-Israel, we tried to make Israel closer, clearer, and more dear to everyone. We created a journey of learning and connection across generations each day by adding another Israeli value to our “backpack” as we “traveled” through Israel.
Each day of “Halom 28” featured unique programs designed for four different age groups, and every evening was highlighted by a special theme of the day for all participants. Our first day’s opening theme was “Eilat and the Red Sea” — an introduction to the map of Israel — followed by the evening Family Quest, “In Search of the Red Sea Treasures.” In the following days, participants explored themes such as “Masada — The Story of the Fortress Defenders, Bedouin Culture,” “Negev, Dead Sea, and Ein Gedi,” “Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Old City, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Modern Jerusalem: Israel Museum and Knesset,” and “Tiberias — The City of Sages and Disciples, Northern Israel.” The week concluded with “Akko, Haifa, and Galilee.” Each evening, we all came together for warm gatherings to reflect on the day — sharing our thoughts, emotions, and experiences — and to truly feel that we were one big family.
There was everything — creative workshops led by our incredible participants, engaging lectures, unforgettable evening programs, exciting excursions, time spent with madrichas, games, singing, poolside relaxation and training, and plenty of laughter. Most importantly, we gave one another a sense of safety, support, and peace — something so deeply needed during these difficult times. One of the highlights was our immersive game “Defense of Masada,” where participants could truly experience the story of the Fortress Defenders and explore the meaning of freedom. Through playful learning, we discovered the “Animals and Nature of the Desert” and studied “Terrain and Conditions While Hiking from Eilat to Masada.” We even brought humor into history with a lively Group Presentation in Bedouin Style.
The days were also filled with deep reflection and creativity — a heartfelt discussion on The Power of Nature and the Value of Support during madrich time, an inspiring Art Master Class where we created a “Salt Reef” painting with salt and watercolor, a Round Table Discussion on “The Desert and the Jews,” and a spirited Debate on “Does the Geography of a Region Influence the Formation of a People’s Mindset?” Each activity became a meaningful part of our shared journey — thoughtful, joyful, and unforgettable.
On the evening of the fourth day, we gathered together for the lighting of the Shabbat candles, Kabbalat Shabbat, and our evening celebration — Shabbat Shalom, Kiddush, and a festive Shabbat dinner. During Shabbat, we studied the weekly Torah portion, Eikev, and reflected on the stories of Tiberias, Rabbi Akiva, and Rambam. We concluded the day with a heartfelt performance by the ТaNaH Theater and an imaginative game, “If I Were a Student of Rabbi Akiva.”
The next day our journey continued with an inspiring series of excursions. Participants embarked on a Photo Quest: Landscape Photography — Journey Through the Nature of the Carpathians, including a visit to the Jewish Cemetery in Nadvirna and the Ohel of the Tzadik from Nadvirna. Their task was to observe the world with fresh eyes — to find landscapes, scenes, and natural phenomena in the Carpathians that resemble northern Israel. Each participant searched for these connections, capturing them through their own lens, and later presented beautiful photo reports showcasing parallels between the two lands.
On our last day we finalized our retreat with the “Summary of the Journey with the Backpack from Eilat to Tzfat”. Our journey symbolically carried us through all of Israel — like through the entire world itself — from the desert to the snowy mountains. Each group arranged their “Backpack” as a creative visualization, gathering seven meaningful artifacts that represented their experiences and insights along the way. At our final evening event “Presentation of Artifacts”, we came together for a heartfelt presentation of the artifacts collected in our “Backpacks” throughout the journey. Each group shared their creations — stories, symbols, and memories that reflected the path we traveled together — turning our last evening into a celebration of connection, learning, and shared discovery.
“Halom 28” was a true gift — one of the most amazing experiences to date, achieved despite all obstacles and challenges. Everything was incredible: the beautiful location, the wonderful team, the delicious food that made it impossible to leave the table, and the absolutely amazing participants. There were no alarms, no rockets — only peace, cool summer air, and the warmth of great company. It felt like a deep breath of fresh mountain air — a moment of calm and renewal. We are especially grateful to Mosaic Fund, JCC Global, and all the organizations and individuals who made this unforgettable experience possible. The warmth of the days we shared together will carry us through the cold days ahead, as we look forward with hope and excitement to “Halom 29”!
