Serene Holiday at Lake George

The locals in the serene resort town of Lake George, NY, weren’t quite sure what hit them. Excited for the business at this slow time of year, they questioned just why hundreds of people had come.

Was it for Spring Break? No, they were told. It was for the Passover Retreat at the Fort Henry Resort Hotel.

Last year, for the first time, Shluchim Rabbi Avraham and Nechama Laber ran a successful Pesach program. It didn’t take long for word to get out that their program was the perfect answer to so many needs: gourmet Pesach cuisine, excellent classes with world renowned speakers, driving distance from NYC and even affordable.

Once word got out, registration jumped from 200 in 2012 to almost 600 at certain points during the holiday. It wasn’t only the numbers that tripled but all the offerings as well. Recognizing how popular the program had become, the Labers did everything possible to provide the best of the best for their crowd.

With more days of Yom Tov this year, the program was packed with a wide range of speakers and topics, exercise and fitness programs, musical events, late night tea room, outings and an endless flow of meals made with exquisite care headed by the talented Chaim Richter of Richter Caterers, with the assistance of kitchen manager Pesach Osina and Avi Lopin as maître d’.

Those who chose to participate in the group seder led by Rabbi Laber, accompanied by Chazanim Rabbi Avraham and Mo Kiss had a moving experience as a community. In the room next door, hundreds led their own individual sedarim at their tables as the room filled with children saying the Mah Nishtanah and singing niggunim.

Many of the speakers and guests returned from last year after their wonderful experiences. But there were also new voices to enrich the options. Speakers included Rabbi Asher and Sara Esther Crispe, Mrs. Chana Sharfstein, Alon Anava, Yaakov Rosenthal, Amy Guterson, Daniel Retter, Dr. Avi Retter, Dr. Davidson, Professor Shochet and others with topics ranging from the kabbalistic and esoteric to practical advice and guidance with childrearing and shidduchim to graphology, medical ethics, and even stock investments.

On Chol Hamoed, all enjoyed evening entertainment with Mentalist, Ted James and concerts with Mo Kiss, Moshe Antelis and Jewish Star finalist Mendy Antelis as well as a grand appearance by Yoni Z.

The children’s talent show was also a highlight with parents kvelling as their children sang, danced and entertained the crowd. The women were in for a treat with a concert from the talented Tanya Guterson followed by an open mic and late night farbrengen.

And throughout the days of Chol Hamoed, between swimming, relaxing and group outings to the Great Escape Indoor Waterpark, Snow Tubing, Shopping Outlets, the women were able to stretch and exercise with certified fitness and Zumba instructor, Neshe Antelis.

And as everyone knows, one of the most important aspects of any program is the programming for the children. If the kids aren’t happy, the parents aren’t happy. Fortunately, the kids were exceptionally happy. Under the directorship of Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum and Head counselors, Eryn Goldsman and Rivka Huberman and amazing counselors, there was daily morning, afternoon and evening camp for the children as well as babysitting throughout the sedarim and Yom Tov meals, allowing parents to sit, enjoy and participate knowing their children were well taken care of.

Camp activities included a magic show, storytime, Jewish Jewpardy, Pony rides & Petting zoo, arts & crafts and a Chess tournament. To top it off, there was teen programming as well from classes to outings and drama workshops.

With views of Lake George from the hotel and spacious suites, some even with a Jacuzzi or fireplace in the room, the gashmius was as impressive as the ruchnius. With such a fully packed program, not many wasted time in their rooms, but the hotel ensured that guests were well taken care of.

While it is hard to think about next Pesach already, you can be sure the Laberss already are. Knowing that the program will only continue to grow, their goal is to make each year even more impressive than the next. And in the meantime, those who participated will undoubtedly keep up with the new friends they made while taking the learning and inspiration into the rest of their year.