What is this?
Heart, Mind & Soul (HMS) is an organization founded in 2003 by Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, currently a licensed school social worker with over a decade of experience working with Jewish youth in formal and informal settings.
Our flagship program is an extended weekend Shabbaton workshop which we have developed in collaboration with a team of youth workers, Rabbis, and mental health professionals. Our program is run in conjunction with Global Relationship Centers, a Missouri-based company specializing in developing fun, safe, and powerful group activities centering on raising self-esteem and motivation for our youth, increasing hope, and encouraging individuals to develop a greater willingness to accept personal and communal responsibility.
The program is beneficial to teens and young adults who are open to self-improvement and introspection (or who at least are open to the possibility of being open to introspection!). It is especially recommended for those who are interested in improving their leadership skills.
Who runs these Shabbatonim? The Shabbatonim are organized and supervised by Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, MSW. Additional program facilitators are also on hand, each with a minimum of 2,000 hours of specialized instruction in running workshops and groups such as these.
Are these programs Kosher and run in accordance with Halacha? Absolutely. Our programs, while open to Jewish teens of all denominations and affiliations, are run under Orthodox auspices, are fully Shomer Shabbat and Kosher and are held under the Halachik (Jewish law) guidance of Rabbi Elie Weinstock, Assistant Rabbi at Kehillat Jeshurun in New York City.
Would this program be appropriate for my child? Our program focuses on personal issues of self worth, relationships, motivation, etc. It is intended for teens and young adults who are interested in personal growth. It is not well-suited for severely "at risk" individuals and is not a replacement for therapy. If you have any questions regarding the suitability of Heart, Mind & Soul for your child, please contact Rabbi Trencher directly at 860-490-7652 to discuss.
Where and when is it, and how much does it cost? Our upcoming events list can be found on the registration page.
Each event begins on Friday prior to Shabbat and ends the following Monday evening at approximately 7:30 PM. The event culminates with our ending program, the "HMS Graduation"--to which family and friends of HMS participants are invited--at approximately 8:00 PM (Graduation is typically one hour long). During the weekend, all programs are held and meals served at the event location, and participants sleep at local homes, together with other participants and staff members.
The fees include a $100 non-refundable deposit, and a second payment of $279 due two weeks prior to the Shabbaton. Scholarships are available and are awarded from the Heart, Mind & Soul Scholarship Fund based on financial need.
I have more questions. To whom can I speak? Please feel free to contact us through our web site with questions.
