We have received a number of questions about our new venue; read below for more information!

For 30 plus years, JRC’s Family Kallah (now Community Kallah) had been held at the Perlman Retreat Center (operated by Beber Camp) in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, Beber repurposed the retreat center for use in its camp programming and stopped renting out the facility. Thus began our hunt for a new venue.

Factors we considered include:

We researched and contacted a number of different locations. Some were not available, some were not willing to rent to a religious organization that doesn't share their values, some were too expensive, some were too far. While we knew that no venue would exactly replicate Perlman, we were very excited to find Camp Nageela, a summer camp property, in Ingleside, IL, with its vast, lovely grounds, and private sleeping areas (many other camps could accommodate us only in multi-bed cabins to be shared by several families).

Lodging at Camp Nageela is varied in style and amenities and spread across a number of different buildings. All lodging is rustic. (Like tent camping, except you have a bed, a roof over your head, and indoor plumbing). This includes camp cabins with rooms with multiple bunks, smaller staff cabins, small lodges with bunk rooms, small lodges with smaller rooms, and rooms in the infirmary. All beds are single beds or bunk beds.

Update: Everyone will be guaranteed a private bedroom for their party. Please note we have a limited number of single-occupancy rooms that will be made available on a first-come first serve basis. If we wind up over-subscribed, we may suggest – but will not require – that guests coming in smaller numbers consider sharing.

Almost all accommodations feature a shared bathroom in the building (no one has to go outside to use the bathroom). There are just a few units with private bathrooms, and, as a result, private bathrooms cannot be guaranteed. Please do not sign up for Kallah if you are not willing to share a bathroom. Bathroom sharing might mean one of the following, just as examples (there could be other permutations):

All buildings have A/C. Unfortunately, we only just learned that a number of the cabins do not have heat. (These same cabins are otherwise nice). Usually, by late May, this should not be a problem that warm PJs and an extra blanket can’t fix. However, if this is a deal-breaker for you, please let us know. If we cannot accommodate you in a heated building, we will make an exception to our refund policy and issue a refund.

There are many factors that go into housing assignments; trust us when we tell you that it’s an extremely complicated puzzle. These factors include but are not limited to:

These are just a few of the considerations.

Consequently, we cannot guarantee any particular housing style, and we request that guests refrain from special requests unless there are significant special circumstances. We will try to honor requests for families to be in the same building or near each other but cannot guarantee it.

Please note that there are no paved paths at Nageela, and facilities are spread out; please wear appropriate footwear. Parking is permitted only in designated locations, though you may pull up outside your building to drop off your luggage. If you need help bringing your luggage to your room, we will try to provide it.

Required during the following programs if conducted inside:

Optional at other times, including:

A note about dining and onegs: We will not be requiring masks at these times. The dining hall is quite large; if you prefer to have more physical space, there is plenty of room to spread out. Also, participants may bring their food outside of the dining hall to a tented area with picnic tables if that is more comfortable, and there also will be opportunities to socialize outside. Several buildings have screened or covered porches.

Register for Kallah using this link. You must be logged in to register (if you need a password reset, email info@jrctogether.org). Registration deadline: April 18.

In an effort to make Kallah as accessible as possible, we have maintained previous Kallah rates with support from our clergy's discretionary funds. Payment is due at the time of registration. Cancellations made by April 22 will receive a full refund. 50% refunds will be provided for cancellations April 22 - April 30. We cannot guarantee a refund for cancellations after April 30. If cost is a barrier to your participation, please be in touch with Rabbi Rachel.

Questions about JRC's Community Kallah? Email communitykallah@jrctogether.org.