After you apply, we will let you know if your application has been accepted
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 (limited availability)
If additional scholarships are needed, please reach out to Rabbi or Rivky Kapenstein privately.
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
4:00 PM — Arrival & Check-In
Welcome to the retreat! Settle in and get acquainted as participants arrive.
5:00 PM — Happy Hour Reception
Relaxed social time with an open bar, elegant hors d’oeuvres, 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:
Afternoon Prayer Service (Mincha) & Candle Lighting
Kabbalat Shabbat led by Rabbi Mechael Soroka (Cincinnati, OH)
8:00 PM — Shabbat Dinner
An elegant and lavish Shabbat dinner experience with an uplifting atmosphere and meaningful connections.
D’var Torah by Rabbi Shmuli Wolf (Partners Detroit)
Following Dinner — with Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein,
Director of the Columbus Community Kollel
“Who Am I and Why Am I Alive?”
A brief overview of self-esteem followed by an open Q&A.
Lavish Dessert & Viennese Table
All Night — 24-Hour Tea Room & Lounge
Snacks, drinks, and a comfortable space to unwind and continue conversations.
Shabbat Day
7:30–9:00 AM — Breakfast
9:00 AM — Morning Services (Shacharit)
Led by Rabbi Mechael Soroka
Torah Reading by Rabbi Shmuli Wolf
Following Services — Presentation with Jill Kapenstein, LPCC
Emotion Aid:
Learn how to activate your body’s natural healing mechanisms.
12:00 PM — Shabbat Lunch
2:00–4:30 PM — Optional Programming
Living Emunah
Reading circle and discussion with Mrs. Rivky Kapenstein
Followed by:
Torah Unpacked: Deep Dive. Real Discussion. Open Debate.
with Mrs. Kayla Soroka
Free Time
Time to relax, recharge, and connect informally.
4:30–5:30 PM — Q&A with Jim & Jill Kapenstein
5:45 PM — Afternoon Services (Mincha)
Followed by Shalosh Seudot (Third Shabbat Meal)
7:00 PM — Interactive Session
“The Art of Effective Negotiation”
with Jim Kapenstein
8:00 PM — Evening Options
Option A: Speed Dating
(Facilitated by Dr. Olga Kilstein)
Option B: One-on-One Meetings with Jill Kapenstein, LPCC
9:00 PM — Evening Services (Ma’ariv)
9:15 PM — Havdalah & S’mores (Outdoors)
10:00 PM — Wine & Sushi (Indoors) & Documentary Screening
“Hidden Light: Uncovering the Vatican’s Deepest Secrets”
Sunday
8:30 AM — Morning Services
9:30 AM — Lavish Breakfast & Reflections
A chance to reflect on the weekend, share insights, and continue building connections.
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.
Rabbi Shmuli Wolf
In August 2018, Shmuli and his wife, Nechama, relocated to Detroit with their two children to help lead the Young Professionals division of Partners Detroit. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Shmuli studied at yeshiva in Scranton, PA through high school and beyond, followed by two years of advanced learning in Israel.
After returning to the U.S., he settled in Lakewood, New Jersey, where he continued his in-depth study of Jewish law and completed the Ner Le’elef outreach training program. He later joined the Kollel in Dallas, Texas, where he also helped run the Young Jewish Professionals (YJP) division of the Dallas Area Torah Association (DATA).
Shmuli and Nechama share a deep passion for adult Jewish education and outreach, and are known for warmly opening their home and hosting Shabbos meals for individuals from all backgrounds.