TBT Blog

From September 12–14, TBT Sisterhood joined women from seven other Pacific Northwest sisterhoods, along with leadership from WRJ and WRJ Pacific District, for the annual Pacific Northwest Sisterhood Retreat at URJ Camp Kalsman. This beloved gathering welcomed about 50 members from across the region—from Vancouver, BC, to Portland, OR—who came together for a weekend of connection, inspiration, and joy. Participants could attend the full retreat or join just for Saturday, and the mix of indoor and outdoor activities was enhanced by beautiful late-summer weather.

Friday Evening
After settling into cabins, the group gathered for Shabbat dinner, an icebreaker, and a spirited Shabbat shira sing-along. The evening then opened up to games, conversation, and creative art projects, including dot-painting hamsas and Zentangle hands inspired by the theme hand-in-hand. Whether playing Mah Jongg, enjoying board games, or simply chatting by the fire, women found plenty of ways to connect and unwind.

Saturday
The day began with yoga, a lakeside walk, and an engaging book discussion before a participatory Shabbat service filled with music (with contributions from TBT’s own Mikayla Goodkin and Torah reader Janice Brumer) and a thoughtful D’var Torah from WRJ President Karen Sim, visiting from Cincinnati.

Workshops throughout the day offered something for everyone: applying Jewish values in meetings, baking apple baklava for Rosh Hashanah, navigating difficult conversations, pounding out melodies on Boomwhackers, and more. Adventurous spirits even tested their courage on the high ropes course and zipline (with TBT’s Helene Diamond leading the way).

That evening, after Havdalah and a delicious dinner, Carol Schuster helped usher in the High Holy Days with a meaningful Selichot service. The night wrapped up with s’mores by the campfire, onesies and games, art projects, and plenty of laughter.

Sunday and Closing
On the final morning, participants could walk, stretch with yoga, join a book talk on The Amen Effect, or simply savor the challah bread pudding breakfast. More workshops followed—TBT’s Gisi San Martin Zimmerman led a hands-on session sewing felted covers for hand warmers—before the retreat closed with a powerful circle, singing Elana Arian’s I Have a Voice and lifting each other up with words of gratitude.

Beyond the Sessions
The retreat also included giving back: donating books for the Mirpa’ah (Health Center) reading shelf, supporting the YES (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) Fund, and celebrating TBT’s Donna Blankinship as she received her WRJ Gold Lifeline. Attendees also learned about the upcoming WRJ Pacific District Convention in Pasadena, March 12–15, 2026—an exciting next gathering to look forward to.

TBT’s Shana Aucsmith, one of the WRJ Pacific District Area Directors and an organizer of the weekend, helped ensure strong participation from our area Sisterhoods. Every joined member from TBT who attended came away with new friendships, renewed spirit, and cherished memories of a truly meaningful weekend together.