Photo of BBC HillsWith the fall Jewish holidays behind us, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Come spend Thanksgiving weekend eating delicious (kosher) food, relaxing on our 2,800 acre campus, enjoying nature, surrounding yourself with family and friends - or enjoying the quiet and solitude - all in a COVID-compliant environment. 

Following the guidelines provided by California state agencies, the Brandeis-Bardin Campus is prepared to provide a limited number of visitors a suite of rooms, private outdoor and indoor dining options, and plenty of space on our 2,800-acre campus to wander, explore, and celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend (with enough space to maintain a healthy distance from other guests).

DATES:

There are two options to choose from:

  • 4 Day | 3 Night Getaway:  November 26-29, 2020
  • 3 Day | 2 Night Getaway: November 27-29, 2020

If you are looking for a COVID-safe location to get away for the holiday weekend, we’re the perfect destination! We’ll provide the lodging, the (kosher) food, and the Thanksgiving festivities (including football!) - all weekend long! Come alone for the peacefulness of Brandeis - or convince your friends to come with you. 

Guests are welcome to arrive after 10:00AM on Thursday (11/26), and spend the weekend with us, enjoying a range of pre-selected camp activities (run for one family at a time). The weekend will include a delicious kosher Thanksgiving dinner and all meals - including festive Shabbat meals, through Sunday brunch. Check-out on Sunday (11/29) is by 10:30AM.

Guests are also welcome to arrive after 10:00AM on Friday (11/27) and stay through Sunday brunch. Check-out on Sunday (11/29) is by 10:30AM.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Brandeis-Bardin Campus as our guests for Thanksgiving weekend.  Please complete the form below to reserve your space – please note that there are several options to choose from.  Spaces are limited, so register soon! If you have any questions, please contact our conference and events center at 805-915-0736 or email Navah Becker at nbeckerataju.edu (nbeckeratajudotedu).

The last day to register is November 16, 2020.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY
  • Lodging

    In order to maintain healthy distancing, each guest will have their own cottage in our Adult Conference Center. Depending on the size of the guest unit, cottages will include 1-2 rooms for sleeping, and one room for private dining. 

    Rooms have private bathrooms and heating/air conditioning. Each room also has a mini-fridge. Families with children who sleep in cribs will need to bring their own pack and play, if necessary. We provide bedding and towels for all of our guests. However, we do recommend that families bring their own pool towels. Also, due to contact restrictions, we encourage families to bring their own games, toys, and sports equipment.

    We allow 4-5 days between guests, so we can deep clean all rooms and activity areas before guests arrive.

  • Food

    The full weekend will include all meals - starting with a light lunch on Thursday, a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, festive Shabbat meals, and all the meals in between, concluding with Sunday brunch. Guests who arrive on Thursday for Thanksgiving dinner have the option of booking one of our larger spaces for socially-distant Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends.

    Guests who arrive on Friday will be treated to Friday lunch, and delicious Shabbat meals, concluding with Sunday brunch.

    Each set of guests will have their own private dining room in their cottage (separate from their sleeping rooms), complete with a mini-fridge and stocked with plates, cups, silverware, and cleaning supplies. There are also ample places on our grounds to picnic outside (of course, a healthy distance from our other families!). We can set all of our guests up with a designated outdoor space as well. 

    We can provide for most special food needs, including all allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or dairy free options, as indicated on the registration form.

    Our kitchens are glatt kosher under the supervision of Kosher LA. 

  • Programming and Amenities

    One of the best features of our campus is the variety of programs we are able to offer our guests. Most are available for one family at a time - although current state guidelines do allow for up to three families to participate together at a time. After you register, you’ll be sent a form so you can let us know if your family would like to sign up for any of the following:

    • Archery
    • Tomahawks
    • Pool (weather permitting)
    • Teambuilding
    • Challenge Course
    • Climbing Wall
    • The Swing
    • Hiking
    • Horses (up to 5 riders at a time, must be 48” tall for trail rides - any age for ring rides)
    • Art
    • Israeli dancing
    • Bubble fun
    • Playdough and kinetic sand
    • Challah baking (on Friday)
    • And more!

    All activity costs are included in the cost of the weekend. We will do our best to schedule you for the activities you pre-select. 

    • At least 1 adult must accompany children to each activity.

  • Internet and Cell Service

    Our Adult Conference Center is equipped with wifi. Cell service is reliable with certain carriers (not AT&T, unfortunately). Desks will be set up in your private dining room as work stations.

    You will be given a phone number to call in case of emergency.

  • Other Activities
    • We have several hiking trails on our property. Hikes must be led by one of our trained staff members.
    • We do not provide bike rentals, but you are more than welcome to bring your own bikes. Please bike on our paved roads only, and never go biking alone. You are also welcome to bring skateboards, roller blades, and scooters. All of the above activities require helmets at all times.
    • Dogs are permitted, for a small additional fee.
    • Optional evening activities will include an outdoor movie (Thursday), a night hike (Friday), and a campfire - with s’mores (Saturday).
  • Shabbat & Holidays

    As of now, we are not planning on organizing prayer services due to health concerns regarding large group singing and gathering, although guests are welcome to privately borrow prayer books from the library, or organize services on their own.

    We will have a safe indoor space to light candles, for those who wish, and Havdalah supplies for each family as well (we will provide all necessary havdalah supplies for those who are interested).

    As a pluralistic institution and facility, we allow for the expression of Judaism according to the customs of each family, and welcome everyone to enjoy the celebration of Shabbat as they see fit.

  • Health & Safety

    HEALTH AND SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN

    Deciding whether to leave your house during a pandemic can certainly be a difficult decision. Our weekend getaways are meant to provide our visitors with an opportunity to truly get away, safely, while leaving the cooking, cleaning, and programming, to us!

    All meals will be served to-go, with private dining rooms provided for each family. Rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and left unused and untouched for at least 4-5 days between use.

    In addition, in order to ensure everyone’s comfort level, our weekends will require the following:

    • Physical distancing must be maintained with other families and employees on site.
    • Face coverings must be used at all times outside of personal lodgings. Face coverings are not needed during meal times.
    • Most activities will be scheduled and operated for individual families. Some may be operated for 2-3 families at a time, but only if officially scheduled as a multi-family activity.
    • Common areas and frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized multiple times each day. 
    • All AJU staff members go through mandated daily health check-ins.
    • Guest health check-ins will be conducted upon arrival, and all guests will be required to sign a commitment to that effect.
    • All meals will be provided to-go, in order to ensure contactless service.
  • Covid-19 Related Precautions

    Currently, most activities will be scheduled by family - although Governor Newsom recently permitted 2-3 families to gather together (assuming face coverings). To maintain social distancing precautions, we limit the number of guests allowed on campus at any given time.

    Our staff has been trained on best practices regarding COVID-19 Safety Procedures, and undergo daily health checks. All staff will also wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.

    Our campus staff follows all Ventura County and state guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing activity spaces and supplies. Our staff also follows all food handling related safety precautions and procedures to ensure a safe experience for our visitors.

    Families are required to bring their own face coverings to use when interacting with other families, with BBC staff and during activities where staff are present.

    In the event of a potential or confirmed COVID exposure at our camp facility, we will follow all guidelines and directions of our authoritative agencies. This may include the closure of our campus on a temporary basis. Should your weekend reservation be affected in the event of a closure, we will issue a full refund.

    If you need to cancel your reservation, please be in touch with us at 805-915-0736.

  • Payments & Cancellation Policy

    Thanksgiving registration will close on November 16, 2020. All payments must be made by that date. 

    If Brandeis-Bardin or the AJU cancels for any reason we will refund your money in full. If you get sick and are unable to attend we will refund your money in full.

    If you cancel for any other reason we will keep 10% of the total amount paid. If you have to leave early or arrive late, there are no refunds or pro-ration offered. 

  • Pet Policy

    Guests are allowed to bring pets with them, for a small ($75) additional cleaning fee.

    • Dogs must be on a leash when it is not in your room.
    • Please make sure to pick up any poop and discard it one of our outdoor trash cans.
    • Please no animals in our dining hall.
    • You must provide food/water.
    • Please also remember that we are located in the Santa Susana Mountains. As such, there are many animals who wander our property – please keep an eye on your pet at all times.

Are you excited? We are! 

Do you have friends that will be excited? Let them know about this opportunity! Bring them with you!

Do you have questions? Email Navah (nbeckerataju.edu)  for more information.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY