Join us for this special regional gathering of Jewish Young Professionals — and we would love for you to join us!
Regional Young Professionals Shabbaton & Retreat
May 8-10, 2026
This high-end weekend retreat will bring together Jewish young professionals beyond Columbus for an energizing, meaningful, and genuinely fun weekend retreat.
“What to expect”
A high-end weekend getaway at the Cherry Valley Hotel
Food, drinks and great vibes — all weekend long
Creating relationships in the Midwest
Real conversations about Judaism, business and mental health 
Thoughtfully run speed dating in a warm, comfortable setting
Cost:
$200 Shared Room
$350 Single Occupancy
Contacts
Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein- (Cell) 9084218292
Email: RabbiKapenstein@thekollel.org
Rivky Kapenstein- (Cell) 7329919236, Rivkapenstein@gmail.com
Location
Weekend Retreat Schedule
A thoughtfully designed Shabbaton experience blending inspiration, connection, and relaxation.
Friday
3:00 PM — Arrival & Check-In
Welcome to the retreat! Settle in and enjoy a hot buffet as participants arrive and get acquainted.
5:00 PM — Happy Hour Reception
Relaxed social time with an open bar and great vibes
6:00 PM — Fireside Conversation with Jim Kapenstein, Deputy General Counsel, The Walt Disney Company
“A Decision of a Lifetime” A powerful and personal story about life choices, values, and purpose.
Following the session:
Mincha & Candle Lighting
8:00 PM — Shabbat Dinner
An elegant and lavish Shabbat dinner experience with uplifting atmosphere and meaningful connections. D’var Torah by Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein, Director of the Columbus Community Kollel and Host of the KOLOT Podcast
All Night:
24-Hour Tea Room & Lounge
Snacks, drinks, and a comfortable space to unwind and continue conversations.
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Shabbat
7:30 – 9:00 AM — Breakfast
9:00 AM — Shacharit
Late Morning Presentation with Jill Kapenstein, LPCC
Insights on relationships, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing.
12:30 PM — Shabbat Lunch
2:00 – 5:00 PM — Free Time
Relax and enjoy the hotel amenities, including the game room and informal activities.
5:00 PM — Q & A with Jim & Jill Kapenstein
6:00 PM — Mincha & Seudah Shlishit
7:30 PM — Interactive Session”
“The Art of Negotiation” with Jim Kapenstein
8:30 PM — Speed Dating (Optional)
A thoughtfully facilitated opportunity to meet other Jewish young professionals coordinated by Dr. Olga Kilstein
9:30 PM — Havdalah, Dinner & Evening Program
Closing out Shabbat together with a special program (details forthcoming).
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Sunday
8:30 AM — Shacharit
9:30 AM — Lavish Breakfast & Reflections
A chance to reflect on the weekend, share insights, and continue connections.
11:00 AM — Check-Out
Retreat Sponsors
Retreat Presenters
Jim Kapenstein was raised in the suburbs outside of Washington, D.C. He attended the University of Michigan, where he was a Division I collegiate wrestler, and later earned his law degree from Ohio State University.
Upon graduating from law school, Jim practiced corporate law at Arent & Fox and Alston & Bird before joining The Walt Disney Company. Jim currently serves as Disney’s Deputy General Counsel, leading the corporate legal team including on major transactions such as Disney’s $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the NFL’s recent investment in ESPN, the acquisitions of Pixar, Lucasfilm (Star Wars), Hulu, and Major League Baseball’s BAMTech, as well as Disney’s recent equity investment in OpenAI.
“The Decision of a Lifetime” is Jim’s personal story of how pivotal life decisions led him to become shomer mitzvot and how he navigates life as an observant Jew in Corporate America. Jim and his wife Jill reside in Los Angeles and they have 5 wonderful children.
Jill Kapenstein’s passion is helping adults and children learn to reconnect to their best self using their own built-in healing mechanism. As a licensed professional clinical counselor, Jill encourages her clients to find an inner sense of balance through body/mind integration using somatic experiencing techniques. Jill has extensive experience working with people who are struggling with anxiety, complex trauma, complicated family systems, addiction, and depression. Through Jill‘s private practice, she has the opportunity to facilitate healing and return control back into the hands of her clients. Jill lives in Southern California with her husband, and together our fortunate, blessed, and proud to be the parents of five incredible children.
Dr. Olga Kilstein is passionate about connections — from the very first conversation to lasting relationships. As a clinical psychologist she has worked with adults, couples, and families to support their emotional wellbeing and mental health. She has led dating events and presented on topics related to relationships, marriage, and meaningful connection, bringing a thoughtful, grounded, and clinically informed understanding of what makes relationships work.
Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein is the Director of the Columbus Community Kollel. Originally from Atlanta, Rabbi Kapenstein pursued his rabbinic studies at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and at Beis Medrash Mayan Hatorah in Lakewood, New Jersey. He also spent a year of advanced study at the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim under the auspices of Rabbi Yosef Elefant.
Rabbi Kapenstein is a graduate of the Ner Le’Elef Fellowship (Lakewood, NJ) and has completed YEUD Marriage Training. He is also the host of the KOLOT Podcast, a program that features leading voices from the rabbinate, sports world, mental health field, business leadership, and public service.