Havurah retreat in Rindge, NH

The annual retreat we attended last week was held at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. We also took a detour to Cathedral of the Pines which was nearby. The photo above is from the home of the  founders of the site. We enjoyed the walk around, the tower and sculptures, the beautiful gardens. They have services here from all denominations at different times. Even though we have gone to Rindge many times, this was the first time we went to this historic site.

This is a view of Mount Monadnock from our dorm room at FPU. We had a wonderful time at the retreat and enjoyed the classes as well as meeting interesting people from all over the U.S. and Canada. I took a class on "Jews, Jazz and Swing" and another class on "Giving Songs in the Night: The art of singing for consolation" - this was appropriate for the holiday of Tisha B'Av (Fast of 9th of Av, starts this evening, lamentation for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem thousands of years ago). We also discussed the Hevra Kadisha (Holy Burial Society) and singing while doing the taharah (cleansing of the body). Joe took some classes that were a bit more intellectual, but I preferred to just enjoy myself and not think too hard while on vacation. I also did the "shuk" (marketplace) and sold my cards there.

That is Joe and a new friend, Natalie, on the trail down to the pond at Cathedral in the Pines. This is a trail made by the local Eagle Scouts. We found some delicious black raspberries and high bush blueberries along the way.

I don't know what these flowers are, but they were pretty. We enjoyed the gardens and the statues as we walked around. This is a beautiful site to visit.