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Simchas Torah5787
October 2–4, 2026
High View, West Virginia
We will dance again.
Hakafos with a Sefer Torah, Yom Tov meals in a giant sukkah, davening explained, and a warm crowd to dance with — on a private campus in the West Virginia hills.
- Setting
- High View, WV 26808
- A frum camp on open grounds
- Retreat dates
- October 2–4, 2026
- Arrive Thu or Fri · leave Sun night or Mon
- Cost
- $250 per person
- Special rate request? Please call.
- Getting there
- You drive in
- About 5 hrs from NYC, Monsey or Lakewood · 2 from Baltimore
Arrive Thursday, October 1 — check-in until 12 PM, no rooms assigned after that — or Friday, October 2 before Yom Tov. Depart Sunday night, October 4 or Monday, October 5.
Shemini Atzeres begins Friday, October 2 — candle lighting 6:36 PM. Simchas Torah is Shabbos night and Sunday, ending Sunday night, October 4.
Hoshana Rabbah minyan Thursday night and Friday morning for those already there. Thursday night meals are extra — ask us when you register.
Simple camp-style lodging. Registration is for the full retreat; final schedule details will follow.
We will dance again.
Simchas Torah on a private campus in the West Virginia hills — hakafos, meals in the sukkah, davening explained, and open space.
Come connected, starting over, or just looking for somewhere real to finish the season.
We will dance again
A Simchas Torah where nobody has to perform to belong.
Late teens, twenties, older singles, single mothers, families — anyone who wants Yom Tov without being watched, questioned or judged.
Come exactly as you are
Religious, reconnecting, curious or unsure. No prerequisite, no judgment at the door.
Late teens, singles and single mothers
Late teens, twenties, older singles, single mothers with kids — anyone without an obvious place for Yom Tov.
Families, and anyone bringing someone
Come alone or bring your people. Need a special rate? Call before you register.
Another option for Yom Tov
Come in without wondering whether you fit the room.
Shul can feel intimidating. This is the warm alternative: daven, eat, relax, ask questions, dance — no judgment.
Come connected, questioning, or starting over.
Taking the warmth of our home into a wider circle.
Bunker of Light is Yosef and Sarah Shidler’s table in Toms River — Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, real conversation, a place to be.
This retreat is that same table, carried to West Virginia, with room for many more people to sit at it.
Why another option matters
For some, Yom Tov at home means being alone or having nowhere good to go — and a traditional shul can feel like an inspection.
The experience
Daven, dance, eat, relax, ask questions, be outdoors. Davening is explained in plain language so anyone can find a way in.
A real camp—not a hotel
Simple, comfortable and shared.
Sleepaway-camp cabins and bunk rooms. Bring your own pillow, sheets, blanket and towel — and lend a hand where you can.
Food and hospitality
The meals will be properly run.
A chef runs the kitchen and every Yom Tov meal. You will not be left to figure out food.
About 50 people
Personal arrangements matter.
Around 50 guests. Rooms are assigned by who is coming, so contact us early and we can place you well.
An honest work in progress
The opportunity came together recently, and we are building it carefully.
Campus, team, chef, Sefer Torah, sukkah and meals are set. Rooms, carpools and programming are being finalized now — if you can lend a hand, say so.
The larger vision
A lasting place for people who need somewhere to belong.
An established Yom Tov program for people with nowhere comfortable to go. This first one is grassroots: safe, good food, open space, a real welcome.
What to expect
Meaningful Yom Tov, with room to breathe.
Warmth, tradition, connection — each at your own pace.
Joyful dancing
Hakafos Shabbos night and Sunday morning. A Sefer Torah, a circle, everyone in it.
Yom Tov meals in a giant sukkah
Every Yom Tov meal under the schach — singing, conversation, room at the table.
Nusach Arizal davening, explained
Plain-language explanations along the way. Join in, or sit it out. Nobody minds.
A warm, judgment-free community
Teens, twenties, singles, families. No dress code, no questions, no judgment.
A note on drinking
The joy here does not come out of a bottle.
A small, measured l’chaim — and that is all. No bar, no bottles making the rounds, none of the free-for-all Simchas Torah can turn into. We keep it that way on purpose: out of respect for those who are sober, those working at it, and the kids in the room. Clean fun, real simcha, good for the whole family.
Arrive Thursday or Friday. Depart Sunday night or Monday.
Thursday check-in closes at 12 PM — no rooms after that. Or come Friday before Yom Tov. Leave Sunday night or Monday.
Thursday / Friday
Thursday check-in until 12 PM, or Friday before Yom Tov
Shemini Atzeres & Simchas Torah
Hakafos, meals & open space
Sunday night / Monday
Departure window
Getting to High View, West Virginia
High View, WV — about 5 hours by car from NYC, Monsey or Lakewood, 2 from Baltimore.
You arrange your own travel. Need a ride? Tell us early and we will try to connect a carpool — not guaranteed. Directions go to registered guests.
Retreat registration
Registration
$250 per person
Lodging and every Yom Tov meal, Friday through Sunday night. Special rate request? Please call.
A simple camp experience, priced to cover costs.
Summer-camp cabins and bunk rooms, not a hotel. Bring your own pillow, sheets, blanket and towel.
Registration covers food, chef, staff and supplies — it is priced to cover costs, not to profit.
Give more if you can — it makes room for someone who could not otherwise come.
Cost a problem? Reach out privately. We will work something out.
Ask about rates or sponsoringSponsor the Simchas Torah program
Help make room for someone else.
Some guests need support to attend. Pick a sponsorship below and cover a place at the table.
Sponsorship gifts are donations and are processed separately from attendee registration.
Reserve your place.
Tell us who is coming and what you need. Your card is authorized—not charged—until we confirm the retreat.
Practical details before you come
Here is what we can already share about davening, families, travel, sleeping arrangements and cost.
Is this a Chabad event?
Yes — Bunker of Light is run by Yosef and Sarah Shidler, a Chabad family in Toms River, and davening is Nusach Arizal. You do not need to be Chabad, frum, or anything at all to come.
Do I need to be religious or know how to daven?
No. Davening comes with explanations if you want a way in. If you would rather sit outside, take a walk, or just show up for the meals and dancing — that is fine. Nobody is counting.
Is there a lot of drinking?
No. Simchas Torah can turn into a night of bottles, and that is not what this is. There will be a small, measured l’chaim and nothing more — no bar, no bottles making the rounds. We keep it that way on purpose, out of respect for those who are sober, those who are working at it, and the kids in the room. The joy comes from the dancing, the Torah and each other. Clean fun, good for the whole family.
What does it cost, and is the family rate different?
$250 per person. Need a special rate — for a family, or your circumstances? Call or WhatsApp us before you register.
What does the registration actually cover?
Lodging and every Yom Tov meal. The real cost is more than we charge — donations and sponsors cover the rest, and let us bring people who could not otherwise pay.
Can you help with transportation?
You get yourself there — about 5 hours from NYC, Monsey or Lakewood, 2 from Baltimore. Tell us early if you need a ride and we will try to connect carpools. Rides are not guaranteed. Directions go to registered guests.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Summer-camp bunk rooms with beds — not a hotel. Bring your own pillow, sheets, blanket and towel. Family cabins are very limited: families, call before you register.
Is every detail finalized?
The big things are set: campus, team, chef, Sefer Torah, sukkah, meals. Room assignments, carpools and programming are being finalized now. Confirmed details go to registered guests.
What if the cost is difficult for me?
Call us, and come anyway. Nobody is kept from this table over money. We can take less, settle later, or waive it — quietly. Ask before deciding you cannot come.
What is expected of me while I am there?
A hand where you can give one — set a table, clear one, look out for somebody who walked in alone. A chef runs the kitchen; volunteers make the rest work.
Warm community · Real family · Open hearts
Finish Tishrei on your feet, dancing.
Reserve your place, then call early with any family, lodging, ride or cost questions.
Know someone with nowhere to be this Yom Tov? Send them this, or tell us and we will reach out.