JACS Retreats

JACS: Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others

JACS RETREATS

Thanks for the JACS Retreat

by Anonymous

Please know in advance, that anything I write here still does not fully express the wonder I experienced last weekend. The only meeting I had issue with was the Friday Marathon Meeting. No time keeping was kept. I did miss the promptness I associate with 12 Step meetings, few started on time. Perhaps more time between meetings would allow for smoother regrouping. Would mentioning the concept of "no cross-talk" be appropriate at JACS? Though mostly genial . . . I felt some people acted a little `too' comfortable - calling out during someone's share, etc. By far, my favorite session was the Rabbi's Forum. I so respect the range of orientation and presentation. I cherished the reminder - "Take what you want..." or more pointedly - what you feel applies.

The fact that there were student/young rabbis present shows the progressive position of JACS. How encouraging and hopeful to imagine a community with a rabbi approachable and knowledgeable about the disease of alcoholism. It is now almost a week since the retreat and I have talked of little else. I know that JACS does not follow the 12 Traditions of AA, yet there was a sense of something - perhaps the 12 Steps that permeated the weekend. Not once did I witness any exclusions or favoritisms. Tolerance, compassion, patience, acceptance, respect and service seemed to be the watchwords for the weekend and, even more than those, laughter! How beautiful the sound and the sight. I remember detaching a moment and pulling back, looking out with a feeling of proud belonging - yes, I am part of this, I fit in here - all of me.

Last weekend I learned what I already knew but didn't really understand. One can be religious and still be an addict. And though I knew one could be spiritual without being religious and religious without being spiritual, it took the share of a religious man to really make that clear. My relationship with my higher power has been reshaped by the weekend's experience. It occurred to me how the retreat has further effected my vision as well. Years into the program I realized when I looked out, I no longer saw a 'black' man, I saw simply - a man. Now, when a bearded fellow with a yarmulka walks toward me, I no longer see a chassid or religious man - as interpreted by my baggage burdened brain - I simply see, a man - as I am simply, a woman. And, today I know that we are each humbly, a child of God.

Thank you for a wonderful weekend!