For thousands of years the Kabbalists taught that the love of another is the sole means of attaining the Upper Force. To succeed in reaching such relations between us, a fundamental change in our grasp of reality should take place. At the very heart of the process lies the need to transform the egoistic nature with which we were born, to the quality of giving to the other. In doing so, we gain the experience of a new spiritual reality.

The subject and main goal of the upcoming congress is unity among friends. We chose this subject out of the need to create that spiritual vessel called Arvut. To attain this goal friends are assembled from the world over who are yearning for the unity among friends according to the condition “one man, one heart,” as is explained in the article of Baal Sulam called "Arvut".

The congress is open to any student that is currently studying with Bnei Baruch either with ARI Online Education Center on their own through www.kab.tv or www.kabacademy.com, or is a member of a Bnei Baruch virtual or physical group.

If you are new to Bnei Baruch, it is not too late to register on ARI (www.arionline.info) and catch up on all the lessons offered there. Students studying on ARI will be provided with special instructions and virtual seminars to prepare them for this special gathering.

Will be posted at later date

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All the lessons and activities during the congress (workshops, meals, songs and cultural evenings) will focus on the subject of the connection between us. This will enable us to reach the quality of love and giving, meaning the actual realization of the law “love your friend as yourself.”

Rav Michael Laitman will be giving five lessons throughout the congress. The lessons will be in Hebrew with synchronized translation into English, Spanish and Russian. The translation will be broadcasted over a FM radio signal. Participants are requested to bring their own FM radios and batteries. Radios will be available for sale at the congress for $12.

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Fallsview Resort and Spa is located in beautiful Catskills mountains north of New York City within approximately 2 hours drive.

View local Google map here.

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New York has three airports. However, due to traffic and proximity considerations, transportation will be provided (included in the congress price) only from and to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Upon arrival at Newark airport, our representatives will greet you and direct you to the shuttle bus that will take you to the congress location. Shuttle buses will be provided on Friday May 30th between the hours of 7 AM and 1 PM. Detailed instructions on airport pickup will be posted at a late date.

Travel time from Newark International Airport to the congress location is approximately two hours. The Congress starts at 3 PM on Friday, May 30th, 2008. We recommend you plan your flight to land before 12 PM on Friday, May 30th.

Those flying into JFK, LaGuardia or any other airport, have to either arrange their own transportation to the congress location or use public transport to get to the shuttle buses at Newark airport.

For information on how to get from La Guardia Airport to Newark Airport please visit: http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/ken_connect.html#lgaewr

For information on how to get from JFK Airport to Newark Airport please visit:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/ken_connect.html#jfkewr

The congress officially ends on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at 2:00 PM. The best time to schedule your flight out is after 5:00 PM to allow for travel and airport check in.

IMPORTANT: The last shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel will depart at 2pm on Friday, May 30th, 2008. The first shuttle bus to the airport from the hotel will depart at 12pm on Sunday, June 1st, 2008. Please note, that Fallsview Resort is located 2 hours away from Newark airport and taking taxi is very expensive, therefore please plan your flight arrival and departure within timeframe listed above.

Please inform us at newyork@kabbalah.info if you are not able to find a flight to Newark airport or a flight arriving and departing during the suggested times above.

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From New Jersey:
Take PALISADES PARKWAY NORTH (toward Bear Mountain) to EXIT 18 (left exit). Continue on to a traffic circle and follow the sign to 17 W/ US-6. Follow the signs for 17W. Follow 17W to EXIT 113 (209 WURTSBORO / ELLENVILLE). Turn right at the stop sign (209N).
After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel. Enter through the front door and check in at the front desk.

From New York:
Take I-87 N / NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY toward ALBANY. Merge onto 17 W via EXIT 16 toward HARRIMAN / RT-17 / US-6 (Portions toll). Follow sign for 17 W / Rt 6 toward Middletown. After 31.4 miles, merge onto 209 via EXIT 113 toward WURTSBORO / ELLENVILLE. After 12 miles, turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel. Enter through the front door and check in at the front desk.

From New York City and Metropolitan Area:
(George Washington) Bridge to New Jersey Palisades Parkway to New York State Thruway North; proceed on Thruway to Harriman, Exit 16; follow Route 17, West to Exit 113; then Take Route 209 North 12 mi. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From J.F.K. Airport:
Van Wyck Expressway to Whitestone Bridge to Cross Bronx Expressway to Major Deegan; North; pick up New York State Thruway (87N) to Harriman, Exit 16; follow Route 17 West -to Exit 113; then take Route 209 North. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Long Island:
L.I.E. to Cross Island Parkway North to Whitestone Bridge, Over Whitestone Bridge to Cross Bronx Expressway to .Major Deegan North; Pick up New York State Thruway (97N) to Harriman, Et 16 follow Route 17 West to Exit 113 then take Route 209 North. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From New York State (from North):
Take the NYS Thruway South to Exit 19, Kingston. Thruway exit to traffic circle, take the first right, approx. ½ mile. Get onto Route 2O9 South to Ellenville (approx. 27 miles). Follow signs to Nevele and turn left onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From the East Coast (Bridgeport & New Haven):
Take Route 95 South to Route 7N to Route 84W. Proceed to New York Exit 4W to Quickway (Rt. 17W). To Exit 113 Wurtsboro/Ellenville to Route 2O9Northt. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Boston & New England States:
Massachusetts Turnpike West across state to Route 91South to Route 84 West to Route 17 West to Exit 113W then take Route 2O9Northt. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Montreal:
Go to US Route 9 to N.Y.S. Thruway to Exit 19 and proceed to Route 209 to Quickway Route 17 West to Exit 118 then take Route 209 North. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Toronto:
Take the F. Gardiner Expressway South to Queen Elizabeth Way West to Ontario Route 405 East to Interstate 190 South. Across Lewiston Queenston Bridge to Interstate 290 South to.N.Y.S. Thruway (Interstate 90) Eastbound to-Syracuse Exit 39 to Route 690 South to Route 81 South to Birmingham. At Birmingham, take Route 17 Quickway Eastbound to Exit 118 then take Route 209 North. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Baltimore, MD:
Take Route 40N to the NJ Turnpike, to the Garden State Parkway to the NYS Thruway to Exit 16 onto Route 17W to Exit 113, right onto Route 209 North. After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Philidelphia/NJ/Pittsburg:
Take the NJ Tpk. To Garden State Pkwy., to NYS Thruway to Exit 16to Route 17W, to Exit 113 Wurtsboro/Ellenville to Route 209N, After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

From Pennsylvania (Wilkes Barre):
Take Route 84 to Port Jervis, Route 209N, After 12 miles turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Arrow Head Rd (Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club sign). Bear left through Fallsview entrance and follow the road to the left (not the access road to the far left) up to the main entrance of the hotel.

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Please notify us if you are planning to take the bus or train so we can arrange your pickup at the bus or train station in Ellenville, NY.

From New York:
Arrive at Port Authority (42nd & 8th – 2nd floor North Building) ½ hour before the bus departure time to purchase the ticket ($29 one way, $58 round trip)
Short Line busses leave daily at 8:30am, 11:30am, 5:30pm and 8:30pm
The bus will arrive in Ellenville in 2hrs.

From New Jersey:
Arrive at Ridgefield Bus Station ½ hour before the bus departure time to purchase the ticket
Short Line buses leave daily at 9:02am, 11:55am, 5:58pm and 8:57pm, only 8:57pm buses run on weekends.

Coach USA Buses website
Coach USA Busus customer service: 800-631-8405 (toll free) or 201-529-3666

From Newark Airport, From New York Penn Station or Newark Penn Station:
Take a New Jersey Transit train on Main Bergen County Line to Middletown, New York train station ($19.25 one way – weekday, $20 round trip on the weekend). You will need to switch to Main Bergen County Line at Secacus train station. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.

New Jersey Transit Trip Planner website

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The congress schedule is jam packed with lessons and activates for participants. The North American Women’s Group has established a team of dedicated women to prepare and oversee the children’s program. Teens over 15 may participate in all retreat activities and study if they have a desire to do so. No separate services will be provided for them if they don’t.

• Kids program will be available but only for kids over five years of age and under 14.
• Children under the age of four, inclusive, will need to be accompanied by parent or guardian.
• Program will consist of films, swimming, hiking and games.
• Children must sleep at the hotel with one or both parents.
• Children will eat with you and the group. Special kids menu will be prepared for those picky one’s.
• It will be your responsibility to watch them at all times other than during lessons and other planned activities outside of the program schedule
• Parents must sign a waiver to admit their children into the program. Please indicate during your registration if your children will participate, or write to newyork@kabbalah.info if you have any questions.
• Please, note that if your child participates in the program, you are required to participate as well and cover one or two of the shifts along with other moms.

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Participants from outside of the USA may require a visa. Please check if you need visa on Department of State website. if you requre visa, please read carefully instructions on the blog about obtaining one.

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Congress price is all inclusive and covers hotel stay (3 days, 2 nights), all meals (7 meals) and drinks as well as cost of bus from and to the airport (Newark Liberty International Airport only) and all gratuities for the hotel staff and taxes.

• For triple occupancy (if you choose this option on the registration form, you will have two roommates) the price is $265
• For double occupany (if you choose this option on the registration form, you will have one roommate) the price $315
• If you are coming with spouse or children - you need to choose "family" room option on the registration form. The price will be double occupancy for each adult in the family, i.e. $315
• Children under 10 - free,
• For children between 10 and 16 - $150 per child.

If you would like to donate towards covering congress cost for those friends who can not afford to pay full price for the congress, please do it via our secure webpage. In Comments please write "CONGRESS DONATION".

Prices can only be guaranteed via online registration.

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Dress code

• Casual (jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, dresses - modestly, please…)

What to bring (besides the usual travel items)

• FM radio and batteries
• Swimming suit (children)

When you arrive

• Upon arrival at the congress location, proceed to the lobby and look for our registration desk
• You will be given all congress information, welcome package, and a congress tag
• You will be directed to the hotel desk to be assigned a room

Best time to arrive

• Congress opening ceremony is at 3:00 PM
• For those flying in, please see above
• For those driving, the best time to arrive is between noon and 2:00 PM.

Medical services

• No medical services will be provided at the congress by the organizers
• Participants must ensure they have proper medical insurance