Program

click here for the 2018 Pesach Retreat at Velmore Hotel & Spa   

 

Experience an unforgettable Pesach program
Click here to download our Pesach Programme Guide & Itinerary for Pesach 2016-5776 or here for the Chol HaMoed schedule
With our fabulous location, superior level of service, and proximity to leisure activities, our elegant luxury resort is the perfect setting for your Pesach getaway.
As we get closer to Pesach 2017, we will update you with this year's programme guide.
Experience the best Pesach can be!

REJUVENATE YOUR BODY
STIMULATE YOUR MIND
INSPIRE YOUR SOUL

SOME OF OUR SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE THIS YEAR
During Yom Tov
Mrs. Bronya Shaffer, Ilana Skolnik, Cantor Arye Leib Hurwitz, Chef Alan Bender, Rabbi Gedalya Sternstein, Rabbi Shmuel Sabbag, Rabbi Ari & Batya Kievman stay tuned! more to come!

During Chol HaMoed
Rabbi David Masinter, Rabbi Michael Katz, Rabbi Ari Shishler, Rabbi Ron Hendler

Lectures & Workshops
Bronya Shaffer, Wendy Hendler, Nir Etzbeony, Tamar Dakes, MP Jack Bloom, Rabbi Ari Kievman

Entertainment
Ilan Smith-Illusionist, Cantors Ezra Sher & Chilly Chrysler, Musician Avi Kanar, Nir Etzbeony
many surprises!

MRS. BRONYA SHAFFER
Ms. Bronya Shaffer is a noted globetrotting lecturer on Jewish women's issues, and serves as a personal counselor and mentor for women, couples and adolescents. Mrs. Shaffer, a responder for Chabad.org’s "Ask the Rabbi" service, is an experienced mother of ten children and lectures around the world on parenting, education, women's issues, abuse and other topics. She was one of the introductory speakers at the inaugural Sinai Indaba here in South Africa and is a much sought after speaker worldwide.


MRS. ILANA SKOLNIK
In 1973, Ellen Peters, a Protestant biracial woman, was chosen as South Africa’s beauty queen. Today, she goes by the name Ilana Skolnick, and she is an observant Jew residing in Cape Town.

CANTOR ARYEH LEIB HURWITZ
Arye Leib Hurwitz is a soloist and performer from New York whose brilliant voice has been featured all over the world. From the United States to France, England to South Africa, from the wild beauty of South America, his voice has shaken audiences and pierced hearts. His musical repertoire consists of many melodic genres and songs in a variety of languages, including traditional Hebrew liturgy, Yiddish folk songs, Opera, Broadway, modern Jewish music and more. Aryeh Leib is praised among his peers for his lyric tenor voice. He began his singing career as a cantor in Johannesburg, leading high-holiday and special occasion services. He is currently serving as Cantor at The Chai Center in Dix Hills, Long Island.


CHEF ALAN BENDER
is the Executive Chef at Feigels Kosher Deli. He is passionate about being the best he can in the kosher industry and gets great delight when he's able to develop his teams skills. When he sets a goal, he strives to achieve it with a zero tolerance level for bull. Alan was a successful entrepreneur owning several legendary kosher restaurants. He is the Executive Chef at The Pesach Retreat managing a dedicated team of professional chefs who will be cooking and arranging mouthwatering meals delicately prepared fresh each day of Pesach.

RABBI ARI & BATYA KIEVMAN
Rabbi Ari and Batya Kievman are instrumental to making the Pesach Retreat a reality. After experiencing Pesach hotel programmes in the USA, Ari wished to bring some of that experience to South Africa where he studied for smicha - rabbininc ordination in 2003. He is presently director of Chabad's vibrant Seniors programmes and gives regular lectures in Johannesburg. His weekly radio show airs on Thursdays at 13:00 on 101.9ChaiFM and is a volunteer medic with Hatzolah. Together Ari and Batya run Chabad's Goodness & Kindness Centre serving the business and tourist population needs' in Sandton Central. Rebbetzin Batya Kievman holds a masters in Speech and Audio Pathology.

RABBI GEDALYA STERNSTEIN
Rabbi Gedalya Sternstein is a popular magid shiur in Johannesburg and delivers weekly lectures to the public, as well as to high school students, in addition to his Yeshiva duties. He has prepared classes on fascinating topics to teach during Pesach.

RABBI DAVID MASINTER
Rabbi David Masinter is founder and director of the Miracle Drive annual charity drive, and director of Chabad House in Johannesburg as well as spiritual leader of Chabad Benmore/Riverclub in Johannesburg. He lectures in Tanya, the primary text of Chabad Chassidus and has authored the Grow Your Life series.


RABBI MICHAEL KATZ
Rabbi Michael Katz serves as Spiritual leader of the Chabad of Illovo community in Johannesburg and is the activities director of Chabad House Johannesburg.

RABBI YOSSY GOLDMAN
Rabbi Yossy Goldman is Senior Rabbi of the Sydenham Shul since 1986, president of the South African Rabbinical Association, and a frequent contributor to Chabad.org and other publications. His book From Where I Stand: Life Messages from the Weekly Torah Reading was recently published by Ktav.

RABBI ARI SHISHLER
Rabbi Ari Shishler is the rabbi of Chabad of Strathavon and a popular lecturer and teacher. He has taught Talmud skills for over 15 years and has lectured on Jewish spirituality for almost twenty years. and delivered the keynote address at the International Conference of Shluchim in New York in 2011.


RABBI RON & WENDY HENDLER
Rabbi Ron Hendler is head of the Conversion Program at the South African Beis Din, and spiritual leader of Shul @ 51 Northfield. Wendy Hendler is a certified More To Life Coach and an experienced Mentor of the Power of Purpose and Power of Self Esteem Courses. She is also a Diplomate Clinician in Logotherapy (Viktor Frankel's revolutionary meaning-centred psychotherapy), and facilitates Logotherapy Workshops. A mother of 7 children and a Rabbi's wife, Wendy finds her skills invaluable in raising her children and serving her community.


ILAN SMITH-ILLUSIONIST
Ilan Smith is a magician and illusionist, master of intrigue and wonder. Able to amaze, mystify and enrapture, he can release you from reality; suspend your disbelief and most importantly make you dream....


TAMAR DAKES
Tamar Dakes is a much sought after Trainer, Coach, Healer, Speaker, Author, Yogi and Mom.
Take advantage of her amazing workshop on Wednesday, 27 April 17, from 9h00am until 13h00pm
About the Workshop
'DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE OPERATING SYSTEM FOR AN ABUNDANT LIFE'
There is a simple operating system for an abundant life. When you understand how it works, you can work the system to guarantee success. When you can see what’s holding you back from living a healthy, wealthy, happy life, you can change it. Join us on Wednesday 27th April for a 4-hour intensive workshop that will help you shift and transform your story and re-connect you to your true Creator Nature. We will use the powerful energy of Pesach to go inward and see what still enslaves us so that we can take full responsibility for creating true freedom. The timing is perfect. The world urgently needs you to become better.


JACK BLOOM
Jack Bloom is the Caucus leader of the DA Gauteng Provincial Legislature and long-time DA Gauteng Health Spokesperson.
Jack will share a unique perspective on world politics during breakfast as well as a special workshop after lunch.

Here's a sampling of some the fascinating shiurim topics
The Freedom Ride; Unshackling the Prisoner Within
We will explore the secret behind the cups of wine at the Passover Seder, uncovering four steps toward spiritual awakening and personal freedom.
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A Stranger to Passover; How to Connect with the Experience
Not unlike fine wine and whiskey, a taste for G‑d needs to be developed. Passover is a time of personal connection, a time to become a real connoisseur of spirituality.
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The Freedom of Discontent; When Are You Truly at Liberty?
Aah, freedom! No work, lying on the beach, mind at rest. We challenge this conventional model of liberty and instead look at the festival of freedom, to discover that true emancipation is when we remain shackled to our raging minds and restless hearts
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I… I Don’t Know; Can a Jew live with questions?
We don’t buy a car unless we know everything about it. We won’t vote for a politician until we make sure their agendas are aligned with ours. But when it comes to G‑d, we can leave our questions unanswered and believe, nonetheless. Why?
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How to Like the Person You Love; Viewing Differences as Stepping Stones to Growth
We love each other because of similarities and commonalities, whereas differences get between us and threaten to challenge this love. How do you use your differences as building blocks for a deeper, more profound relationship?
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Back to Life Recovering from life’s challenges
Throughout our history, there were times when all seemed lost. In our own personal lives, too, we sometimes feel that we are deadened, our inspiration gone. Today, it seems that our nation’s vitality has been sapped, our spirit crushed. How do we bring it all back to life again?
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Lessons from Caesar A Look at Jewish Leadership
In the Talmud, Moshiach is called Caesar. What does the Roman Emperor have to do with the Jewish Redeemer? A fascinating odyssey into ancient history and the future Messianic age uncovers a surprising model of leadership and personal growth
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