Answers to your questions about Temple Isaiah’s Seventh/Eighth-Grade San Francisco Retreat
(February 3-5, 2012)
Theme: American Jew or Jewish American?
As we join together again with Peninsula Temple Sholom to experience a new Jewish community and a city rich with history, architecture, and geography, we will begin a journey of self-awareness and identification.
Who is Peninsula Temple Sholom(PTS)
PTS is a reform congregation whose membership is demographically very similar to Temple Isaiah. The synagogue is located in Burlingame, approximately 20 minutes outside of downtown San Francisco and 10 minutes from SFO.
Lodging – How home-hosting works
Last time PTS brought 19 students down to LA and were home hosted by Temple Isaiah families. This year we will be staying with the families of 7-8th grade students who are members of PTS. Temple Isaiah participants will be housed with 1 or more same-gender friend from Temple Isaiah. No one will be allowed to stay by themselves. While at the home, parents of the hosting student will be supervising and transporting their guests to and from their home and PTS. Approximately 2 weeks prior to our trip, we should have the names and phone numbers of who your child will be hosted by for you to contact. This is your opportunity to meet the parents, introduce yourself, and learn a little about the student with whom your child will be staying. All participating students will be asked to bring a gift for their host family as a token of appreciation for opening up their home.
Transportation
To and from San Francisco we will by flying LAX-SFO with Southwest Airlines. While in San Francisco we will be renting mini-vans to make travel easy and convenient as well as cost efficient. These vans will be driven by our chaperones.
Chaperones
Lisa and Randy Friedman (past Camp Isaiah counselor & song leader) will be chaperoning from Temple Isaiah, plus we would love to have a few parents assist with this trip. Please consider being a chaperone! If you are interested and available, please contact Lisa.
Food
Friday dinner-Sunday lunch is included. We will either be eating at a restaurant, packing a sack lunch, ordering in, or the host family will be providing. Please pack a lunch for Friday and a few healthy snacks for the plane ride. You may also send a few dollars to purchase additional snacks.
What about the Weather?
In February, San Francisco can be quite cold. It will be very important to pack in layers and bring a heavy and waterproof jacket and shoes. If rain is predicted, please be prepared to bring rain gear. We have back-up activities that will be indoors if rain or other weather tribulations will prohibit our scheduled plans.
Getting prepared – Websites to visit
- http://sholom.org
- http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/what_to_do/
- http://www.fishermanswharf.org/ToDo.htm
Cost
$100 + airfare= transportation in San Francisco, meals, admission prices. This retreat is subsidized by Temple Isaiah. However, we wouldn’t want your student to miss this retreat for financial reasons. If you have a financial concern and would like to attend the retreat, please apply to our Youth Opportunities Scholarship Fund, https://templei.wufoo.com/forms/youth-opportunity-scholarship/
Book this Flight:
http://www.southwest.com/
EACH FAMILY IS RESPONSINBLE FOR BOOKING THEIR CHILD’S OWN AIRFARE.
- Southwest Airlines
- LAX to/from SFO
- Friday, February 3, flight #3013, 12:20-1:50
- Sunday, February 5, flight #2686, 12:45-2:10
Itinerary – Draft
Friday, February 3
10:45am – Meet at Airport (bring a lunch & snacks)
12:20 – Depart for SFO
1:50pm – Arrive at SFO
3:00 –Walk across Golden Gate Bridge (no, not all the way)
5:45 – Shabbat Dinner with host families
7:00 – Shabbat Service at PTS
8:30 – Evening activities with host family
Saturday, February 4
10:00am – Meet at PTS for Jewish Walking Tour of SF
12:00pm – lunch & depart for Pier 39
1:25 – Alcatraz Tour at Pier 33
4:00 – Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, view sea lions
6:30 – Dinner & Havdallah
8:00 – Return with Host Families
Sunday, February 5
9:00am – meet at PTS – Crystal Springs Nature Reserve
10: 30 – Go to airport, lunch
1:15pm – Depart for LAX
2:45 – Arrive at LAX
3:30 – Super bowl Kick-off
If you have ANY questions, please contact lisa@templeisaiah.com or 310.277.2772 ext 23.
