World-Renowned speakers to add 'Spark' to Women's Retreat

Ladies in the Central Florida area, mark your calendars for the second annual SPARK Women's Retreat set to ignite the light in you March 9-11, 2018, at the luxurious Reunion Resort. This year's weekend-long event will be jam-packed with events to spark your Jewish soul, including a Shabbat experience and dinner, rejuvenating yoga and fitness classes, fun food demonstrations, a moving Havdalah, and a pumped-up party to celebrate all of the women attendees and their individual sparks, all while enjoying the scrumptious food by distinguished Kosher caterer, Shaike of Miami.

Those who attended last year's retreat have lasting memories. For example, Tracey Kagan had this to say: "The retreat was a life changing experience; the combination of being with 100 Jewish women, motivational guest speakers and delicious food lead me to make another life changing decision and apply for the trip to Israel all I can say it was the most unique and wonderful experience."

Perhaps, however, the most notable part of the weekend will be discussions led by world-renowned Jewish motivational speakers, Adrienne Gold and Ruchi Koval.

Betsy Cohen, who attended last year said, "Through a series of lectures and other events I was able to grow spiritually. The time spent at the retreat allowed me to meditate and re-define those things that are important to me in my Jewish life and provided me the ability to apply concepts learned and advise given into my daily life. I met new people, shared some experiences and listen to other's stories. I left the retreat with the personal satisfaction that I had achieved my goal... to learn to be a better person and continue to be proud to belong to the Orlando Jewish Community. I am looking forward to this year's retreat and reinforce my spiritual growth."

Adrienne Gold was a fixture on Canadian television for almost two decades, both as host of her own daily fashion and beauty program, and as a regular contributor on scores of others. After taking a 'life-changing' trip to Israel, she found herself captivated by the spiritual wisdom of Judaism, and wanted to share that wisdom, much as she shared her passion for fashion. She is now a trip leader for the MOMentum Israel trip through the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project and, each year, shares her wit and wisdom with hundreds of women from around the globe.

Ruchi Koval is the co-founder and director of the Jewish Family Experience, a congregation and Sunday school in Cleveland, Ohio. She is also a certified parenting coach, motivational speaker, musician, and author of the book "Conversations with G-d."

"We are so blessed to have Adrienne and Ruchi speaking at this year's retreat," said SPARK Director Sarah Gittleson. "These two women have so much knowledge and inspiration between the two of them. I know the ladies who attend this year's event will leave feeling empowered and with a stronger sense of self, thanks to the messages that both Adrienne and Ruchi will share."

SPARK is the women's division of JOIN-Jewish Outreach Initiative in Orlando-and strives to engage, enlighten, educate, enrich, and empower the Jewish women in the Orlando area. Its mission is simple: Inspire a woman, you inspire her family, you strengthen the community.

"Having a true Shabbat experience with 100 other women who all came together to learn, grow, and rejuvenate with and from each other created a spark inside of me to become the best possible version of the person I already am," said Rachel Slavkin after last year's retreat. "The ruach (spirit) that pervaded the entire weekend has helped to reinforce my love and pride of Judaism and has helped to carry me through the year."

The stronger and more empowered women feel about Judaism, the more thriving the Orlando Jewish community becomes.

Holly Kluger remembers that the SPARK retreat was "a spiritual and emotional wakening for me. This was an amazing gathering of Jewish women in the Orlando area who came together to make new friendships, reconnect with old friends and to learn about Judaism, our community and ourselves. This weekend nourished my body, mind and soul. It's hard to put into words how those two days helped me to refocus on my priorities. It's truly something special."

To learn more about SPARK, visit the organization's Facebook page and website http://www.joinorlando.org, or email Sarah directly at SGittleson@JoinOrlando.org. To register for the 2nd Annual SPARK Women's retreat, and learn more about the hotel rooms, visit http://www.sparkwomensretreat.eventbrite.com.

The cost for the weekend is at Reunion Resort starts at $350 per person, which includes all programs, the hotel room, food and drink. There is currently an additional discount if it's your first Retreat or you bring a friend who has not yet attended the SPARK Retreat-don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! The SPARK Women's Retreat is all about Women unity and connecting - and SPARK does its best to ensure all women are able to attend. If you are in need of a scholarship or a payment plan, please contact sgittleson@joinorlando.org. We will contact all Retreat participants after they register to confirm rooming requests and dietary requirements.

Reunion Resort is located at 7593 Gathering Drive, Kissimmee, Fla. 34747.