Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

Amazing retreat center. Amazing farm fresh food and kind staff. A gorgeous campus in the New England forest with a lovely lake and hiking trails of varying difficulties :)

Crunchy kosher camp-for-grownups in the beautiful Berkshires. The farm-to-table meals will appeal to the veg-centric (that's me, but not everyone). There are goats, a beautiful lake, a bonfire pit, and lots of places to sit and talk. I especially like the library and shul (which lives out the pluralistic ethos with its wide selection of siddurim). The accomodations vary from rustic but lovely to *very* rustic college-dorm- style. The staff is unfailingly kind and helpful.

Beautiful tranquil lakeside setting. Delicious and healthy kosher foods. Friendly staff.

Wonderful food. Great programming. Beautiful scenery.

Amazing place. We went for a wedding and it was lot of fun.

I'm here once or twice a year. I find it a wonderful place for a Retreat. It is beautiful and accommodating. Though I've never found the food bad, sometimes it was mixed. Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch were weak spots. This time there were no weak meals. The new chef and kitchen staff made every meal worth eating with gusto, whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian or vegan.

I so LOVE Isabella Freedman - the location in northwest CT, the quiet, low-key environment, the beautiful natural surroundings. A group that I volunteer with has our annual retreat there every year, and this year was an exceptionally awesome weekend from a retreat center perspective. They are very helpful in working with the organization's needs, the accommodations vary by ability to pay - from camping to simple rooms, to more elegant rooms, all within a very rustic environment. What I also appreciate is their new kitchen staff. The food this year was a real treat - accommodating meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Delicious, thoughtful, tasty, and varied for all sorts of tastes - AND much of it comes from their local farm. Woah.

My family has been coming to IF for 13+ years, first as a couple with no kids, and then with our kiddos 7 and 10 years old. The programming and energy is always amazing, the food is usually incredible, hammocks by the lake, boating, wonderful people, what more could you ask for?! The rooms are basic but they aren’t trying to be anything “more” the place is clean, no frills, but you’re not hanging out in your room.

Fascinating museum. Incredible place. Beautiful gardens . Lovely cloister! I wonder if they will ever solve the mystery of the stolen paintings!!

Just a special place to experience true meaning of togetherness. We just concluded Sukkahfest with my daughters and hands down the best few days we have experienced in a long time. IF leaves no stone unturned, amazing people, spiritually just an awesome experience. The food, staff are the guest from all walks of life form a bond of unity. I am already making plans for next year,... it's just that special of a place. Five STARS in every possible way. Barry

The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center is one of my favorite places on Earth. A beautiful spot on two small lakes, surrounded by lush wooded hills, you feel a world away, even though it's only a couple hours from NYC. They host the Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality, which runs numerous retreats that anyone can sign up for. I've been to 1-day, and 7-day events there, and my advice is you'll want to stay as long as you have time for. They also host an organic farm (Adamah) and an environmental leadership center (Teva), which are possibly the best (only?) ways on the East Coast for an experience in Judaism's agricultural and earth-connected roots. They also host a lot of conferences, weddings, etc. too. And they also have a fabulous book store (also available on-line), with an especially extensive music collection. The facilities are basic, and the rooms are "rustic" (some are a bit cramped and run-down; it's closer to a camp than a luxury hotel), but the place is kosher and wild and scenic and what more could you want?

Love this place. It is lush, and overflowing with good feeling. The food is excellent, much of it is local, and it is kosher for those who keep. The buildings are whimsical and many are light-filled. The lake is both a lovely spot for swimming and boating, as well as a sweet backdrop for a wedding ceremony. There are trails for hiking with a gorgeous overlook. I highly recommend this spot. I had the great pleasure of photographing a wedding at the retreat center with Hazel Photo.

We were guests at a wedding and we are Christian. Our 28 hr stay was extremely disappointing. Although ADA compliant, the accommodations wer not wheelchair friendly. The food was marginal. Not enough protein, non- gageous food available. Although I appreciate the self- sustainable concept, it was not in the best interest of older GI tracts with issues.

Isabella Freedman's accommodations are rustic, but it's a wonderful place to bring a group and relax. The cabins are simple but clean, and the group spaces are warm and inviting. I have been coming here for years, and on a trip this past weekend the food has never been better. Great vegetarian & meat variety, and lots of flavor. Have fun!

Just got home from a weekend retreat at this place, my third time attending, each time was wonderful but this time the food was spectacular. It is always good but they kicked it up a notch this year, new chef I understand, did a great job, roast chicken, wonderful choment, trout, chopped liver with carmelized onions was amazing, ate way too much and loved every morsel. The grounds are lovely, the accommodations just fine, a beautiful spot in a beautiful part of the country.

Overpriced, inedible food, very small, dark rooms, shared bathrooms, bunk beds even for old people. Calls for major improvements in management.

I just spent the weekend at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center attending the Jewish Men's Retreat. The retreat was amazing, as always and the hospitality at the center was wonderful. The food was absolutely fantastic with tasty rich classic Jewish foods like chicken on Friday and chopped liver and cholent on Saturday, but it was also tremendously innovative with a full selection of vegetarian and gluten free foods and a wide tasty selection for the omnivore. The grounds are rustic but absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The rooms are simple, if you expect the Ritz you will be disappointed. The rooms are simple and simply appointed with only basic amenities, but in a setting as wonderful as IFRC we need no more because we use them only for sleeping.