Rosh Hashanah5787at Bunker of Light
September 10–14, 2026
High View, West Virginia
A place to land, exhale & belong.
Join us for a warm, meaningful Rosh Hashanah on gorgeous wilderness grounds—with Nusach Arizal davening explained, uplifting Yom Tov meals, meaningful connection and space outdoors to sit, breathe and begin again.
- Setting
- High View, WV 26808
- Retreat dates
- September 10–14, 2026
- Arrival
- Thu, Sep 10 / Fri, Sep 11
- Departure
- Sun night, Sep 13 / Mon, Sep 14
Arrive Thursday, September 10 or Friday, September 11 · depart Sunday night, September 13 or Monday, September 14.
Rosh Hashanah begins Friday at sundown, September 11, and ends Sunday night, September 13.
Simple camp-style lodging. Registration is for the full retreat; final schedule details will follow.
A place to land, exhale & belong.
This is Rosh Hashanah with space for all: a fresh start in the West Virginia great outdoors, grounded in Jewish tradition and shaped by the open, judgment-free spirit of Bunker of Light.
Come for Nusach Arizal davening with explanations, beautiful meals, real conversation and quiet time outdoors. Come deeply connected, starting over, or simply looking for somewhere genuine to spend the New Year.
A Rosh Hashanah where nobody has to perform to belong.
Bunker of Light welcomes teens, young adults, adults and families who may not feel comfortable in a traditional community setting. Some are reconnecting, some feel hurt or disenchanted, and some simply want to be known before being judged.
Many still want a connection to Yom Tov, community and Yiddishkeit—they just need to experience it without being watched, questioned or made to feel that they do not belong. This retreat brings the warmth we try to create in our Toms River home into a peaceful West Virginia setting with room for more people to experience it together.
Come exactly as you are
Religious, reconnecting, curious or unsure—there is no prerequisite and no judgment at the door.
Individuals, friends and families
Come on your own or with people you love. Families should contact us early for rates and lodging arrangements.
Anyone looking for a fresh start
If you want a meaningful New Year with room to exhale and belong, this invitation is for you.
Another option for Yom Tov
Come in without wondering whether you fit the room.
For someone who has not felt comfortable in shul for a long time, walking into a traditional space can feel intimidating. We want this to be a warm alternative: a place to daven, eat, relax, ask questions and celebrate the New Year without judgment.
Come connected, questioning, starting over—or simply looking for somewhere genuine to be.
Taking the warmth of our home into a wider circle.
Much of Bunker of Light happens around our table in Toms River: Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, honest conversation, guidance, and a place to be. This retreat carries that same spirit into the quiet of West Virginia.
It is for teens, young adults, adults and families who may not fit easily into the expected mold of a traditional community—including people who feel hurt, disconnected, tired of judgment, or simply unsure where they belong.
Why another option matters
For some people, Yom Tov at home or on the streets can mean loneliness, unhealthy influences, substance use, or simply having nowhere appropriate to go. A traditional shul can also feel intimidating when clothing, appearance or level of observance seems to be under inspection.
The experience
A warm Rosh Hashanah where people can daven, eat, relax, ask questions, celebrate and spend time outdoors. Nusach Arizal davening will include plain-language explanations so even someone who has not felt comfortable in shul can find a way in.
A real camp—not a hotel
Simple, comfortable and shared.
This is a sleepaway-camp setting, not a luxury vacation. There are cabins, bunk rooms and family spaces. Bring your own pillow, sheets, blankets, towel and personal items.
Guests will also be encouraged to help in small ways—setting a table, helping with an activity or cleanup, and welcoming someone new.
Food and hospitality
The meals will be properly run.
Someone will oversee the food and Yom Tov meals. Guests will not be left to figure out the kitchen. Planning includes purchasing, transporting and preparing food, kitchen and dining setup, staff, serving and cleaning.
About 50 people
Personal arrangements matter.
We are planning for approximately 50 guests, depending on registration. Final cabin, bunk and family-room assignments will depend on the mix of individuals, families, children, volunteers and staff. Contacting us early gives us the best chance to accommodate you well.
An honest work in progress
The opportunity came together recently, and we are building it carefully.
The property, core team and meal planning are in place. Over the coming weeks we are finalizing the Sefer Torah, chazzan, baal tokeia, machzorim, room assignments, transportation coordination, programming, kitchen access, staffing and safety details.
The larger vision
A lasting place for people who need somewhere to belong.
Our long-term hope is to build an established, supported Yom Tov program for people who do not have a comfortable place to go. This first gathering is grassroots: a safe place, good food, open space, warmth, connection and a real welcome.
What to expect
Meaningful Yom Tov, with room to breathe.
The retreat is being shaped around the things that matter most: warmth, tradition, connection and the freedom to experience each one at your own pace.
Uplifting Yom Tov meals
Warm meals around a shared table, with singing, conversation and the feeling that there is room for you.
Nusach Arizal davening, explained
Nusach Arizal davening with plain-language explanations and guidance, so every level can find a way in.
Beautiful open space
Wilderness grounds, fresh air and quiet corners that give you room to reflect, breathe and begin again.
Warm, real community
Meaningful connection without pressure or performance—just people showing up for one another with open hearts.
Arrive Thursday or Friday. Depart Sunday night or Monday.
Choose the arrival day that works for you, then settle in and stay through the Sunday night or Monday departure window.
Thursday / Friday
Arrive and settle in
Rosh Hashanah
Davening, meals & open space
Sunday night / Monday
Departure window
Getting to High View, West Virginia
The retreat grounds are in High View, Hampshire County, in West Virginia's Potomac Highlands near the Virginia state line. Plan on roughly 4½ hours by car from Lakewood or Brooklyn, depending on traffic.
Guests arrange their own travel. If you are coming on your own, contact us early and we will do our best to connect you with a carpool or small group. Rides are not guaranteed. Exact arrival directions will be shared with registered guests.
Retreat registration
Early registration
$200 per person
Register by Tuesday, September 1, 2026—before 20 Elul.
Standard registration
$250 per person
Begins Wednesday, September 2, 2026—20 Elul.
A simple camp experience, priced to cover costs.
This is not a hotel or a five-star vacation. We are staying at a summer camp, in cabins and bunk rooms with beds. Bring your own pillow, sheets and blankets, plus a towel and personal items.
Registration goes toward food, chefs, staff and the practical costs of running the retreat. Food alone may approach the requested contribution before transportation, paper goods, religious supplies and cleaning. This is a community gathering, not a profit-making package.
If you are able to contribute beyond your registration, your support helps cover the true cost and makes room for someone who otherwise could not attend.
The meals and kitchen will be planned and overseen. Guests will not be left to figure that out on their own. At the same time, everyone is invited to help create the experience—setting a table, helping with an activity or cleanup, or making another guest feel welcome.
Family rates are available. If this gathering feels like it is for you but the cost would make it difficult to attend, please reach out privately. We will do our best to work something out.
Ask about rates or sponsoringSponsor the Rosh Hashanah program
Help make room for someone else.
Registration is priced only to help cover costs, and some guests will need support to attend. Choose a sponsorship below to help provide the food, lodging, staff and welcoming Yom Tov experience.
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.
Do I need to be religious or know how to daven?
No. Everyone is welcome. Davening will follow Nusach Arizal, with explanations and guidance so you can participate at your own pace.
Can families attend?
Yes. Contact us early to discuss family rates and lodging. We will do our best to find an arrangement that fits your family, subject to available space.
Can you help with transportation?
Guests are responsible for getting to High View, West Virginia. If you are traveling on your own, contact us early and we will do our best to connect people with carpools or small groups. Rides are not guaranteed. Exact arrival directions will be shared with registered guests.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
This is simple summer-camp lodging in cabins and bunk rooms with beds—not a hotel. Bring your own pillow, sheets and blankets, plus a towel and personal items. Families should contact us early so we can do our best to arrange the right setup.
Is every detail finalized?
The property, core team and meal planning are in place. Because this is a new grassroots gathering, we are still finalizing the Sefer Torah, chazzan, baal tokeia, machzorim, room assignments, carpools, programming, kitchen access, staffing and safety details. Confirmed information will be shared directly with registered guests.
What if the registration cost is difficult for me?
Please reach out privately. Family rates are available. If this gathering feels like it is for you but the cost would make it difficult to attend, we will do our best to work something out.
Warm community · Real family · Open hearts
Make space for a meaningful New Year.
Reserve your place online, then contact us early with family, lodging, transportation or cost questions so we can do our best to plan with you.