THE KITCHEN ESCAPE

THE KITCHEN ESCAPE

A Kitchen Member Retreat

February 7th – 9th
Camp Newman
4088 Porter Creek Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Escape the grind and tap into something deeper with 36 hours of off-the-grid shabbat magic. This isn’t just a weekend getaway, it’s a chance to experience Shabbat like never before: unplugged, soulful, and full of connection.

We’re heading back to Camp Newman in Sonoma County, where the foothills set the scene for an epic shabbat experience. Think: hotel-style lodge rooms, heavenly music, and the perfect backdrop for relaxing, connecting, and soaking it all in.

The Kitchen Escape is for every type of Kitchen member – littles & families, kids, young adults, Kitchen Social Club 20s & 30s crowd, and adults – there is an experience for everyone.

If you’re not a member yet, join now to access this epic retreat! Check out our membership page here and reach out to our Executive Director, Spencer Weiss, with any questions.

Scroll for what to expect on the retreat, rates, accommodations, and FAQ!

What to Expect

✨Friday Night Lights
Welcome Shabbat with soulful music, candles, and an unforgettable communal vibe

✨ Torah for real life
Thought-provoking conversations and learning sessions that hit different when you’re in the mountains

✨Shabbat traditions
From kabbalat shabbat to havdalah under the stars with new friends

✨A day of rest (like, for real)
Disconnect from the noise, recharge your soul, and lean into what makes Shabbat a weekly reset

✨Curated activities that bring people together
Whether you're into learning, creating, or just hanging out

✨Communal meals
As delicious as they are meaningful

✨A uniquely Kitchen experience
A mix of ritual and play to feed your soul and spark new connections. And don't forget the talent show!

✨ Rest & Recovery
Plenty of space to just breathe and be surrounded by nature.

Check out an itinerary for an idea of what our Saturday might look like.

Click here or on the image to open a larger pdf.

Accommodations

There are two types of accommodations – private lodge rooms or a shared cabin. Both the cabins and lodge rooms have ADA-accessible options. There are a limited amount of lodge rooms, so we recommend registering early if that is your preference.

Lodge Rooms (Private, 1 – 4 people)
The Lodge at Camp Newman was built in the last year and has hotel-style rooms. Each room can accommodate up to 4 people, but can be booked for as few as 1 person.

Each room has:

  • 2 queen beds with all bedding

  • Private bathroom with towels

  • Mini fridge, microwave & Keurig coffee maker

Cabins (Shared with other Kitchen-ites, up to 8 people)
Think newly built, with roomy bunks, private indoor bathroom, heating, and sleep up to 8 people where some households will be bunked with other households. When registering, you can indicate if you’d like to share a cabin with specific people or families.

Rates

Rates are per person. Children under 2 are free. The cost covers your stay for 2 nights and all food.

Early Bird Rate
Register before end of day 1/7/2024

Cabin (Shared, up to 8 people)
$375 per adult
$185 per child

Lodge Rooms (Private, 1 – 4 people)
$485 per adult
$255 per child

Standard Rate
All registration after 1/7/2024

Cabin (Shared, up to 8 people)
$425 per adult
$215 per child

Lodge Rooms (Private, 1 – 4 people)
$540 per adult
$275 per child

Financial Assistance

Everyone should be able to attend Kitchen Escape! While the registration fees cover only the cost for the weekend, we have financial aid available. Please let us know directly or indicate on your registration form and we’ll make it work for you. Email Spencer at spencer@thekitchensf.org if you have questions.

Check out the accommodations at Camp Newman

  • The Lodge exterior

  • Lodge Room

  • Lodge Room private bathroom

  • Cabin exterior

  • Cabin

  • Cabin Bathroom

  • Dining Hall

  • Lounge area

  • Lounge area

  • Outdoor lounge area

Have questions?
We’ve got answers.

The Basics

  • All Kitchen Members!

    People who have never celebrated shabbat or who celebrate shabbat every weekend. People who go pray once a day, once a year, or once in life. People with kids and without. Freedom School families, young adults, Kitchen-ites, and anyone looking to do more Jewish, in context and in community. We need everyone there to make this a true escape.

  • Never been to a shabbaton before? No problem. It's really just a getaway escape. Mostly unplugged. Sort of off the grid. And definitely mind-expanding. Soul-nourishing, too. Can you tell we're excited?

  • Think of it kind of like camp, but without the counselors. We're working to create a space that feels like home, where you can ask questions, get some answers, be outside, and build community. We will have some organized learning together, some structured fun, some celebrating of Shabbat, delicious meals, free time, etc.

  • You should plan to arrive at Camp Newman by 5:00 PM on Friday. On Sunday, we'll wrap up by mid-morning. Traffic heading north can be rough on a Friday afternoon, so plan to leave plenty of time.

  • You'll drive! We can help arrange carpools for those that need a ride.

  • The food at Kitchen Escape will be vegetarian, Kosher-style, and nut-free. If you have specific dietary needs, please indicate that on your registration form.

Housing

  • There are two types of accommodations – private lodge rooms or a shared cabin. Both the cabins and lodge rooms have ADA-accessible options. There are a limited amount of lodge rooms, so we recommend registering early if that is your preference.

    Lodge Rooms
    Private, 1 – 4 people
    The Lodge at Camp Newman was built in the last year and has hotel style double occupancy rooms. Each room can accommodate up to 4 people, but can be booked for as few as 1 person.

    Each room has: 2 queen beds, a private bathroom, mini fridge, microwave & Keurig coffee maker. Bedding & towels included.

    Cabins
    Shared, up to 8 people
    Think newly built in 2021, with roomy bunks, private indoor bathroom, heating, and that sleep up to 8 people where some households will be bunked with other households. When registering, you can indicate if you’d like to share a cabin with specific people or families.

  • Escape registration will include a space for participants to request or make note of sleeping arrangement needs. We will do everything we can to accommodate everyone's specific needs (and please share them on the registration form) but cannot guarantee every request will be met.

  • You are welcome, we want you there! Yeah, we get it. Having a baby is hard and the thought of sleeping in a cabin with said little one and *other people* at the same time seems like a bit much. We’ve got motel-style rooms as an option and possibly give your family a cabin to yourselves. Let us know your needs in the registration form.

  • If you’re staying in a cabin then you should bring a sleeping bag/blankets, sheets, and towels. These items will be provided if you are staying in The Lodge.

    Everyone should bring their own toiletries and whatever will make your room feel your own. We’ll send a packing list out mid-January, but for now, plan on cool nights, and sunny and rainy days.

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for?
Email Spencer Weiss here.