2024 OHALAH Conference & Shabbaton
General Information
Shabbaton Led by ALEPH Ordination Students
Friday, January 5th - Sunday, January 7th, 2024
OHALAH Conference
Sunday, January 7 - Wednesday, January 10th, 2024
Where: Sheraton Denver West Hotel, 360 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO
Friday, January 5th - Sunday, January 7th, 2024
OHALAH Conference
Sunday, January 7 - Wednesday, January 10th, 2024
Where: Sheraton Denver West Hotel, 360 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO
Conference and Shabbaton COVID Protocols
Please do not come if you're currently experiencing COVID symptoms.
Masks are required at all large group gatherings (ie. plenaries, worship services and ordination)
All attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated and encouraged to maintain the highest level of vaccination possible.
The conference and Shabbaton will continue to follow up-to-date state and local protocols.
Transportation Options
Please do not come if you're currently experiencing COVID symptoms.
Masks are required at all large group gatherings (ie. plenaries, worship services and ordination)
All attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated and encouraged to maintain the highest level of vaccination possible.
The conference and Shabbaton will continue to follow up-to-date state and local protocols.
Transportation Options
- Light Rail: Sheraton Denver West Hotel is on the same block as the Federal Center Station. From the Airport take Line A to Union Station (It's possible to get out here and get an lyft/Uber) OR continue and transfer to Line W to Federal Center Station. If interested, you can download the RTD mobile app for online ticketing. Tickets are also available in stations.
- Golden West Airport Shuttle — Members can self-organize arrival times and reserve a ride directly from Denver Airport to the hotel, starting at $58 on Golden West Airport Shuttle here. Pricing depends upon number of riders.
- Lyft/Uber from the airport is $50-100 weather dependent. Members can also take the Light Rail to Union Station and then get a Lyft/Uber to the hotel for $15-20.
- Sharing travel plans: Stay tuned for ride and travel share document.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
The OHALAH Board would like to remind all attendees about how we can offset our carbon footprint attending the conference by 1) calculating your footprint here and 2) offsetting that by planting trees at Eden Reforestation Projects here.
Kashrut and Special Dietary Needs
Our kashrut is milchik (vegetarian, dairy, fish) under the supervision of Rabbi Victor Gross.
The OHALAH Board would like to remind all attendees about how we can offset our carbon footprint attending the conference by 1) calculating your footprint here and 2) offsetting that by planting trees at Eden Reforestation Projects here.
Kashrut and Special Dietary Needs
Our kashrut is milchik (vegetarian, dairy, fish) under the supervision of Rabbi Victor Gross.
Who May Attend
Shabbaton and Conference Programming
Conference Registration Opens this Summer 2024
- Rabbis, cantors and rabbinic pastors in good standing are welcome to attend the OHALAH conference and pre-conference Shabbaton regardless of whether they are members of OHALAH. Ordained clergy who are not members are welcome to attend the conference one time without membership.
- Students in good standing who are studying for these professions are also welcome to attend.
- ALEPH trained Mashpi’im/Spiritual Directors and students training in the ALEPH Hashpa’ah program.
- ALEPH Board, Staff and Ethics Committee are also welcome to attend.
- Specially invited clergy of other faiths. Attendees may invite clergy of other faith traditions as guests, not to exceed 20 guests (first come, first served).
- Spouses/partners and families. Spouses and partners of all conference attendees are welcome to attend the pre-conference Shabbaton. Non-clergy spouses and partners are welcome to attend pre-conference Shabbaton, davvenen (worship) and all conference plenaries.
- Teens and Children. We offer a discounted rate for teens and children 12 and under who need to attend the Shabbaton and/or conference with their parent(s). Parents bringing children and teens are asked to bring appropriate amenities and activities for them. Parents of children are also asked to make their own childcare arrangements. Please note that children must be under adult supervision at all times.
Shabbaton and Conference Programming
- Shabbaton — The conference is preceded by a Shabbaton where worship and other sessions are led by ALEPH clergy students. The Shabbaton provides a wonderful opportunity for ordained clergy to enjoy shabbat with colleagues and kvell from the next generation as they prepare to enter our ranks. The Shabbaton is open to everyone qualified to attend the conference. The Shabbaton is also open to guests of those who will be ordained in the ALEPH Ordination Program (see Ordination below).
- Ordination of ALEPH rabbis, cantors, and rabbinic pastors — On Sunday afternoon we will celebrate the smicha (ordination) of rabbis and cantors in the ALEPH Ordination Programs. The ALEPH smicha Ceremony is free and open to the public (however, everyone not having a conference name tag must stop at the conference welcome desk and sign in to receive an admitting name tag for security purposes). Family and friends of those being ordained are welcome to register for the pre-conference Shabbaton. However, the conference itself is open to clergy, clergy students, spouses and partners only.
- Conference Program — Each annual conference includes davvenen, plenary sessions, small group workshops, delicious kosher meals, and time to get to know one another, schmooze with friends and share praxis and chevraschaft. Presentations include teachings, text study, films, and performances.
Conference Registration Opens this Summer 2024
- Registration process — Online registration forms allow you to make a payment by credit card from anywhere in the world.
- Paying for the conference — Your conference registration is not complete until you are paid in full. If you need to pay your conference fee in monthly payments, please choose the Payment Plan application when you register and we will set up monthly payments for you.
- Financial aid is available ONLY to members of OHALAH and RPA who are attending the conference. If you are a clergy student and interested in becoming a member of OHALAH, please fill out the membership application here before registering. Financial aid is NOT available for the Shabbaton. Financial aid awards may cover part or all of the Conference fee. We do not provide aid for travel or lodging.
Shuk/bazaar
The conference shuk provides an opportunity for conference attendees and members of the public to browse and purchase books, jewelry, music, art, judaica and other items sold by Shabbaton and conference attendees. The shuk will be open for business following the smicha ceremony late Sunday afternoon and throughout the conference.
Ethics
All applicants to, and attendees of, the OHALAH conference or the pre-conference Shabbaton, and all members and student members of OHALAH and the RPA are subject to the Ethics Code which is available to read here.
The conference shuk provides an opportunity for conference attendees and members of the public to browse and purchase books, jewelry, music, art, judaica and other items sold by Shabbaton and conference attendees. The shuk will be open for business following the smicha ceremony late Sunday afternoon and throughout the conference.
Ethics
All applicants to, and attendees of, the OHALAH conference or the pre-conference Shabbaton, and all members and student members of OHALAH and the RPA are subject to the Ethics Code which is available to read here.
