Before you apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about Hamsa Nomads, the Shavuos in Vermont retreat, rooms, meals, pricing, travel, pool and hot tub timing, and what happens after you apply.
About Hamsa Nomads
Hamsa Nomads is a Jewish travel community built around curated retreats,
kosher-minded travel, Shabbat support, and real connection between young Jews across cities and borders.
We are building more than one event: a network for people who want Jewish travel to feel easier, warmer, and less alone.
Shavuos in Vermont is a small, curated holiday retreat in a private Vermont house.
It is built around shared meals, Shabbos and Yom Tov atmosphere, learning, games, nature,
rest, conversation, and community.
This is not a hotel program or a large commercial event. It is a house-based group retreat with a more personal atmosphere.
The Shavuos in Vermont retreat is planned for Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 24.
Guests should plan to arrive before the holiday begins, with arrival details shared after acceptance.
The retreat takes place at a private house in Vermont.
For privacy and safety, the exact address is shared only with confirmed guests.
General travel guidance and carpool coordination will be shared with accepted participants.
This retreat is for Jewish young adults who want a warm, social, meaningful holiday experience in a smaller group setting.
It is a good fit for people who want connection, shared meals, Jewish atmosphere, conversation, and a relaxed but intentional weekend.
No. The retreat is social and community-focused, but it is not only for singles.
Singles, friends, and couples may apply. The goal is to create a thoughtful group of people who want to celebrate Shavuos together and be part of a growing Jewish travel community.
Application & confirmation
The retreat is application-based.
Because the group is small and space is limited, we review applications before confirming spots.
The application helps us shape the group, manage rooming, coordinate food, and keep the retreat comfortable for everyone.
Once you submit the application, we review it and follow up with next steps if the retreat looks like a good fit and space is still available.
The follow-up may include rooming options, pricing confirmation, travel information, and how to reserve your spot.
Your spot is not confirmed by applying alone.
A spot is confirmed only after you are accepted and complete the required payment or deposit.
Until then, availability may change, especially for indoor rooms.
Yes. You can apply with a friend or mention who you would like to come with.
Each person should still complete their own application so we have everyone’s information, rooming preferences, and food-related details.
Pricing & what is included
Current pricing starts at $350 for camping.
Indoor stays start at $500.
Private or premium room options may be available at higher pricing, depending on availability.
Final pricing depends on your sleeping arrangement and what is still available when your application is reviewed.
The retreat price includes:
- Your stay at the private Vermont retreat house or camping area, depending on your option
- Shabbos and Shavuos meals cooked on site
- Group programming, learning, games, and relaxed house time
- Access to shared retreat spaces
- Scheduled pool and hot tub access
- A small curated group experience
Transportation is not included.
Guests are responsible for getting to and from the retreat location.
When possible, we will help connect guests who want to coordinate carpools from places like New York, Albany, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, and nearby cities.
Food, meals & kashrut
Yes. Shabbos and Shavuos meals are included.
Meals are cooked on site for the group in the retreat kitchen, with a menu planned around the holiday, shared meals, and a warm Shabbos/Yom Tov atmosphere.
Meals are prepared fresh on site for the group.
The retreat is planned around kosher meals, holiday food, and shared Shabbos/Yom Tov tables.
If you have specific dietary or kashrut questions, please contact us before booking so we can talk through the food setup with you directly.
Yes. The menu is planned with Shavuos in mind, including dairy-style holiday elements such as cheesecake or similar festive foods.
The final menu will be shared closer to the retreat.
We will do our best to accommodate common dietary needs when possible.
Because meals are cooked on site for the full group, guests with allergies, medical dietary needs, or specific food questions should contact us before booking so we can discuss what is realistic.
Shabbos & Yom Tov
Yes. The retreat is planned around an observant Shabbos and Yom Tov atmosphere.
Meals, programming, shared spaces, and the general rhythm of the weekend are built around the holiday.
A minyan is planned based on the final confirmed group.
Because this is a small curated retreat, the final minyan status depends on attendance.
We will update accepted guests as the group comes together.
Carrying guidance will be shared with confirmed guests before the retreat.
Guests should check the final arrival information before making Shabbos plans around carrying.
Rooms & sleeping arrangements
Sleeping options may include shared indoor rooms, private or semi-private rooms depending on availability,
and camping options.
Indoor space is limited, so applying earlier gives you a better chance of getting the room type you prefer.
Yes. Sleeping arrangements are planned with appropriate separation and comfort in mind.
Specific rooming details are confirmed with accepted guests before arrival.
Yes. You can request to room with a friend in the application.
We will do our best to accommodate rooming requests, but rooming is confirmed based on availability and the final group.
Campers should plan to bring their own camping setup, including a tent, sleeping bag, pillow,
and any personal outdoor sleeping gear.
A packing list will be sent before the retreat.
Pool, hot tub & amenities
Yes. The property includes pool and hot tub access.
Use of the pool and hot tub will be organized with clear time blocks so the amenities feel comfortable and easy to enjoy.
Yes. We plan to include separate men’s and women’s pool/hot tub time blocks.
Most of the retreat remains shared and community-focused; the separate blocks are there so more guests can feel comfortable using the amenities.
The final pool and hot tub schedule will be shared before the retreat.
The plan is to include women’s-only time, men’s-only time, and plenty of regular group programming around meals, games, learning, and house time.
The retreat property includes shared indoor and outdoor spaces for meals, relaxing, games,
conversation, and group programming.
Depending on final access and schedule, amenities may include lounge spaces, a game room, pool, hot tub, and outdoor areas.
Schedule & programming
The schedule is relaxed but intentional.
Expect a mix of Shavuos meals, Shabbos meals, learning, games, group conversations,
singing, outdoor time, pool/hot tub time blocks, and unstructured time to rest and connect.
Yes. We are planning late-night Shavuos learning.
The learning is meant to feel engaging, social, and accessible — not like a formal lecture marathon.
Yes. We plan to include women’s programming during the retreat, such as a women’s singing circle,
discussion space, or women’s Torah/tea-style gathering.
The goal is to create meaningful women’s moments without making the whole retreat overly separated.
Yes. Most of the retreat is built around shared group experiences:
meals, games, discussions, learning, social time, and relaxed house moments.
Separate programming is used only where it makes the experience more comfortable or meaningful.
No. The retreat has structure, but it is not meant to feel forced.
Guests are encouraged to join meals and core group moments, but there will also be space to rest,
talk, walk, read, or take quiet time.
Travel & arrival
Most guests will drive or join carpools.
After acceptance, we will help guests coordinate travel where possible.
More specific directions are shared only with confirmed guests.
We plan to help coordinate carpools, especially from areas where multiple guests are traveling from.
Carpools are not guaranteed, but we will make introductions when possible.
We expect guests from places such as New York, Montreal, Ottawa, Albany, Boston, and other nearby Jewish communities.
One of the goals of Hamsa Nomads is to build a cross-border Jewish travel network, not just one isolated retreat.
Community & safety
Yes. Hamsa Nomads is not only one retreat.
We are building a Jewish travel network for people who want kosher-minded travel advice,
Shabbat support, local connections, community, and curated trips.
Yes. Hamsa Nomads is building a WhatsApp-based Jewish travel community.
The community is meant to help travelers ask questions, share advice, find kosher/Shabbat information,
and connect with others before and during travel.
The community is reviewed before people are added.
This helps keep the space more useful, more intentional, and more comfortable for everyone inside.
We use an application process, private address sharing, clear guest communication, and house guidelines.
The goal is to create a group that feels warm, respectful, and comfortable — not random or anonymous.
Packing & practical details
A full packing list will be sent to confirmed guests.
In general, guests should expect to bring:
- Clothing for Shabbos and Yom Tov
- Comfortable clothing for downtime
- Swimwear for scheduled pool/hot tub use
- Warm layers for Vermont evenings
- Personal toiletries
- Any medications
- Camping gear if choosing a camping option
Indoor bedding details will be confirmed with your room assignment.
Campers should bring their own sleeping gear.
Alcohol guidelines will be shared with confirmed guests.
This is a curated retreat, not a party weekend, so anything brought or served should fit the tone of the group and the house guidelines.
Cancellation & changes
Because this is a small retreat with limited spots and fixed house costs, payments may be non-refundable after a certain point.
The cancellation policy will be shared before payment so guests understand the terms before confirming.
The retreat depends on a small number of confirmed guests sharing fixed costs like the property, food, and supplies.
Once a spot is held, it affects rooming, budget, food planning, and whether someone else can join.
We’re happy to help
Have a question?
Not sure if the retreat is the right fit, wondering about rooms, meals, pricing, travel, pool timing, or something else? Send us a note before applying or booking.
No pressure — this is just a simple way to ask before reserving a spot.
Ready to join Shavuos in Vermont?
Start with the application. It helps us understand if the retreat is the right fit before anyone commits.