Etz Chayim Women's Retreat
Walking the Path of Renewal with Tova Birnbaum
A Journey of Hope, Healing, and Connection
Did you know that the seven weeks leading up to Rosh HaShanah are called the Seven Weeks of Comfort? They guide us from sorrow and uncertainty toward renewal, hope, and the sweetness of the Jewish New Year. This year’s women’s retreat takes place during this special time. Together, we will explore the sweetness of life. We will hold space for our challenging places while embracing joy, connection, and healing. We will emerge strengthened, softened, and ready to taste the promise of a new year.
The retreat will be led by Tova Birnbaum. Tova is a faculty member at the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership and a Rabbinic Ordination student at the Shalom Hartman Institute. She previously served as the Director of Jewish Life at the OFJCC and as a Senior Jewish Education Specialist at the JCC Association. Born in B’nai B’rak, Israel, in an ultra-Orthodox home, Tova was one of the founders of the BINA Secular Yeshiva in Tel Aviv. She also served as the US Central Shlicha for the World Zionist Organization. Tova holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Jewish Philosophy and a master’s degree in Theater. She lives in Mountain View with her husband, Yishay, and their two daughters.
August 29-31, 2025
Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos
We are returning to the Jesuit Retreat Center on 38 acres in Los Altos. The center has walking trails and a labyrinth. Each sleeping room has its own bathroom.
You'll have the opportunity to meet new women and spend time with friends;
to sing and pray; to study and learn; to laugh and dance.
There is time for quiet and time to leisurely sit and chat.
The price of this year's Women's Retreat is $450.
Scholarships are available for anyone who wants to attend. Nobody will be turned away for inability to pay. If you are requesting a scholarship, please complete your registration, choose "Bill Me", then contact Ellen Bob (ellen@etzchayim.org or 650-813-9094) to make a confidential payment arrangement.
Please note, cancellations after July 28th cannot be refunded unless another paying participant can be found to take your place. We make our financial commitment to the Jesuit Retreat Center at that time.
The retreat is open to anyone who identifies as a woman or as non-binary.
Reservations open to non-members of Etz on July 28th on a space-available basis.
