What will the schedule be like?

Great question! When we get closer to the event we’ll share a schedule for the week. For now, please plan to arrive to the property between 3 and 5 pm ET on Sunday, June 22.

All APPLICANTS to the AOP who have been invited to Smicha Week must plan to arrive in time for an orientation at 4 pm.

Orientation for all CURRENT AOP students will begin at 5 pm.

Smicha Week will end on Sunday, June 29 at 12 pm. Please make your travel plans accordingly.

Tell me more about weekday davvenen.

Smicha Week is a place for experimentation. We invite you to use the daily davennen leadership as a spiritual laboratory. Lead from your growing edge. How are you called to guide a community in the davennen experience? We are asking you to think in terms of different modalities and approaches—whether that be using the matbeah as your architectural framework, or building your own path to present an experience of the deep structure of that moment of communal prayer. Experiment with meditation, silence, and chant in a contemplative or ecstatic container. Make the best use of this laboratory.

Faculty will provide the following for inspiration and guidance:
Recommended readings: a chapter or two on davvenology
Helpful guidance: a short, to-the-point cheat sheet outlining matbeah essentials.

If you lead a service, you may be able to be paired with a faculty member who will be able to mentor you as you prepare to lead your weekday davvenen. Mentoring, feedback, and evaluation will come solely from the mentors with whom you choose to work.

Can musmachimot attend Smicha Week?

Yes! We welcome AOP musmachimot to attend Smicha Week. Musmachimot looking to attend Smicha Week and participate in classes (but not receive credit) would be eligible for an exclusive musmachimot discount. We may offer this option dependent on the number of musmachimot who are interested–if this sounds like you, please reach out to us at smichaweek@aleph.org to let us know it’s on your mind.

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TRANSPORTATION

Where is Smicha Week, anyway? How should I plan on getting there?

We will be gathering in Maryland, but full details will not be listed here for security reasons. Please refer to your email for further details.

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AOP WELLNESS POLICY – Info below is as of 2024, will be subject to change for 2025

Key Highlights

• COVID Testing
• Attendees will be required to test twice
• BEFORE arriving to Smicha Week
• On the Wednesday morning of Smicha Week
• Be prepared to show proof of a negative test for both tests
• Please provide your own tests. If you do not provide your own tests, a limited number of them will be available for purchase onsite
• Masking
• Masking with a N95 or KN95 mask (no cloth or surgical masks) will be REQUIRED indoors from Sunday – Tuesday
• Beginning Wednesday morning, masking will be recommended but not required
• Masking with a N95 or KN95 mask (no cloth or surgical masks) will also be required during all public transit to Smicha Week
• Please provide your own N95 or KN95 masks. If you do not provide your own masks, a limited number of them will be available for purchase onsite.

Wellness Policy Introduction

As we prepare for our upcoming group meeting in July, ensuring the health and safety of all attendees is a top priority. While the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved, we recognize that cases continue to occur, and some attendees may have higher risk factors. We also recognize that there are currently many respiratory viruses circulating that can cause severe illness. Hence, while this policy addresses certain aspects of COVID-19 in specific, we are calling it our “Wellness Policy.” 

After careful consideration of various mitigation strategies, we have developed this policy with a focus on required masking at specific times (details below), symptom monitoring, and personal responsibility. Our approach aims to create an environment where attendees can make informed decisions about their own risk levels and take reasonable precautions.

The core of this policy is built around daily self-screening for COVID-19 and related symptoms before and during Smicha Week. Any attendee experiencing symptoms will be required to isolate and may need to depart the retreat center. We are implementing some requirements around testing and masking, and masking will be highly supported for those who choose to wear one beyond the stated requirements.

Adherence to this policy will require an active commitment from all attendees. We ask that you review the details carefully and comply with the protocols outlined. Your participation in masking protocols, symptom monitoring, isolation if needed, and practicing good hygiene measures will be vital to mitigating risk of respiratory illness.

We understand that attitudes around such precautions vary greatly among our attendees. This policy represents our attempt to take this difficult reality into account, knowing that we cannot arrive at a one-size-fits-all solution. We respect each individual’s personal decisions on which measures they deem appropriate for their own circumstances within the limits of our required policies. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WELLNESS POLICY FOR SMICHA WEEK IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME BASED ON THE LATEST CDC DATA ON COMMUNITY COVID-19 TRANSMISSION LEVELS, OR THE SPECIFIC SITUATION AT THE RETREAT. 

In addition, please do those things, to the extent possible for you, that will boost your natural immunity not only to COVID-19 but to all diseases such as:

• Getting enough quality sleep (7-9 hours per night)
• Eating a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
• Exercising regularly at a moderate intensity
• Considering supplements like vitamin C, D, zinc, and probiotics (consult your doctor)
• Maintaining healthy habits – don’t smoke, limit alcohol, stay hydrated, rest when sick

Boosting your overall natural immunity is beneficial for fighting off any viral or bacterial infection. By focusing on day-to-day actions, within each person’s capacity, that optimize immune function, you can give your body its best chance at defending against illness and recovering more quickly if you do get sick.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We look forward to a safe and healthy meeting experience for all.

Pre-Arrival Self Screening

All attendees must conduct a daily self-screening for COVID-19, flu, RSV and common cold symptoms starting 5 days prior to arrival onsite. Symptoms to monitor include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Any attendee experiencing symptoms should not travel to Smicha Week.

Before departing for Smicha Week, everyone will be required to take a COVID-19 test. 

Please take a photo of your negative test (or bring it with you.)

Please be sure to acquire your own tests ahead of time. You will need at least two: one taken before you travel to Pearlstone, and one to take on Wednesday morning of Smicha Week.

If you are unable to bring tests with you, a limited number of tests will be available for purchase (not free.) 

Masking

Masking will be required during public transit to the venue and for the first three days (Sunday through Tuesday) of Smicha Week. Attendees who wish to wear a mask indoors for their own safety and peace of mind following this period are supported in doing so. We respect everyone’s personal decision.

Masks MUST be a N95 or KN95 mask. Cloth, surgical, and other types of masks are not permitted. Please be sure to acquire your own N95 or KN95 masks ahead of time.

ALEPH recommends bringing several masks to swap out so that the same mask is not worn each day. Ideally, a new mask would be worn each day.

If you are unable to bring masks with you, a limited number of masks will be available for purchase (not free.)

On-site Symptom Monitoring

All attendees will be required to take another COVID-19 test midweek (Wednesday morning,) and to self-monitor for symptoms throughout the week. 

For the midweek test, please stop by the registration table in the center on your way to your first stop of the day (breakfast or davvenen) to show photo proof of your negative test.

If you do not stop by the registration table to show proof of your negative test, one of the AOP Deans will contact you and direct you to return to your room to take a test before continuing along with the program.

Any attendee who develops symptoms of COVID-19, flu, RSV, or the common cold during the meeting must immediately isolate themselves in their room and notify the meeting organizers via email to smichaweek@aleph.org. Symptomatic attendees may be required to depart the property.

Isolation Protocols

In accordance with the most recent CDC guidelines, attendees who test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms during the meeting must isolate until at least 24 hours after symptoms are improving overall, and are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication. Additional precautions should be taken following the isolation period (e.g. masking).

Hygiene Measures

All attendees should practice good hygiene including frequent handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, avoiding sharing food/drinks, and sanitizing high-touch surfaces. We appreciate your vigilance in monitoring for symptoms to keep our meeting as safe as possible. This policy may be adjusted based on the latest COVID-19 guidance closer to or during the event.

COVID-19 Waiver

As part of your registration to attend this event, you agreed to the ALEPH COVID-19 Waiver, which can be found at www.aleph.org/covid19waiver. Please refer to this waiver for questions regarding liability.

Questions

Any questions about this policy should be directed to smichaweek@aleph.org. We thank you for your cooperation.

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FINANCIAL

What is “Purchase Protection”? Is it safe?

Purchase Protection is an optional offering that ALEPH is thrilled to share for in-person programs moving forward (you may recall it from the past two Smicha Weeks.) Note that purchase protection is entirely OPTIONAL.

Add Purchase Protection to your Smicha Week registration and get a 100% refund of your purchase if a qualifying unforeseen circumstance prevents you from attending this event. Covers illness, injury, transportation problems, emergencies, and more.*

Note that if you do not select Purchase Protection at the time of your registration, it CANNOT be added after your registration has been completed. This is a requirement from Purchase Protection LLC, and ALEPH cannot make any exceptions to this requirement.

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, merchandise purchases and charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your order will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Refundable Events & Circumstances:

• Death of spouse or immediate family member as well as your own within thirty (30) days prior to the event date.
• Emergency health issue such as a sudden injury, pregnancy emergency, and other unplanned medical procedure within seven (7) days before the event.
• Crime against you or your spouse in the seven (7) days prior to the event.
• A home emergency such as burglary, fire or flood damage, leak, and structural damage in the seven (7) days prior to the event.
• Transportation failure such as car breaking down, flights canceled, and public transportation failure the day of the event.
• Severe weather that closes roads, airports, subways, and prevents transportation possible to the event the day of the event.
• Unforeseen and unscheduled legal obligations such as jury duty, subpoena, and summons.
• Employment obligations, including being forced to work without notice.
• Acts of nature and natural disasters which prevent your access to the event but the event still occurs.

Non-refundable Events & Circumstances:

• Event is postponed or cancelled by event organizer.
• Event is cancelled by police or other authorities.
• Event is cancelled because of armed/military conflict, acts of nature, or civil disturbance.
• Fraudulent or illegal events; if Purchase Protection was purchased with someone else’s debit/credit card without authorization.
• Dissatisfied with quality of event or acts.
• Non-emergency reasons for inability to attend.
• Any merchandise purchased or charitable donation made at the time of event registration.
• Exceptions and exclusions apply. See full terms and conditions.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Help! I have more questions.

Not to worry! Please reach out to us at smichaweek@aleph.org with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!