Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the ALEPH Kallah

The following are some of the most commonly asked questions that we have received. Stay tuned for more!

HOUSING

Q: Can I have my own room with a private bath?

A: Unfortunately, the university does not provide this type of accommodation. We have single rooms available, but they are either in a hall dorm (shared with the hall), suite (shared with 5-7 others in suite), or apartment (shared with 3 others).

Q: I want to have rooms near my friends. How do we set that up?

A: Everyone should write it on their registration forms and, though we can't make any guarantees, we'll do our best to accommodate everyone's requests.

Q: I am coming with my husband/wife/partner. What is the best housing arrangement for us as a couple?

A: There are a few possibilities. The most economical is a double in the dorms. You will have your own room together, though you would be sharing a bathroom with others in your hall. Another choice is to opt for the suites. This option would give you a double room, and you would share showers and bathrooms with many less people (5-7 per suite). A third choice is the apartments, although those are made up of single bedrooms. The last choice, though the most expensive, is also the most private. You can choose to rent an entire 4 bedroom apartment for just the two of you. In this situation, you will have your own bathroom, kitchen and living room. You would just have to "be creative" about the bedding arrangements.

Q: I am coming with my children. What is the best housing arrangement for us as a family?

A: Again, there are a few possibilities. First, it is important to know that everyone who registers gets a bed, whether they are paying child or adult prices. Now, looking at the best options:

1) Apartments: can house up to 4 people. You'd have your own private bath, and 4 separate bedrooms. If you are a family of three, then the adults would each pay the $1195 rate to make it private and not fill the 4th bedroom.

2) Suites: have singles and doubles and variable numbers, though most average 6-7 per suite. As a family you can choose who sleeps where, but everyone will have a bed. If you are a small family (under 5) chances are very good someone will be in a suite with you.

You should definitely check out the pictures and virtual tours of the different options on the website:

Suites www.unm.edu/%7ereshalls/h_laguna_devargus_lay.html

Apartments www.unm.edu/%7ereshalls/h_redondo_lay.html

If you are still uncertain, feel free to email the kallah office at kallahajr@rcn.com.

CLASSES

Q: There are some morning and afternoon classes that will meet for 3 hours--what will be the three hour period that they meet?

A: Times for the 3 hour classes will be: 9:30 AM -- 12:30 PM (morning classes) and 3 PM -- 6 PM (afternoon classes).

Q: How does the Torah Trek Hiking class work? Can I still take an afternoon class?

A: The class is technically a half day class and you can still take an afternoon class. However, because of travel and duration of the hike, it will run longer than a normal morning class. In order to spend significant time on the trail, yet allow people to experience other davenen and the "rebbe is in" options, we have decided on the following format. For two days, the class will set out early, during the morning davenning times, with a bag breakfast, and return in time for lunch. Participants will miss morning davenning those two days. On the other two days, the class will set out after breakfast, but take a bag lunch and return in time for the afternoon class. These days participants will miss the "rebbe is in" programming.

Q: How does the afternoon Workshop class work?

A: You sign up for it as a class, and then each day you will have 5-7 workshop options to choose from. This is an excellent way to get a taste of many different Jewish Renewal teachers and topics. We now have the workshop schedule posted on the website. Check out the link!

REGISTRATION/FINANCES, etc.

Q. Is there any reason to register now, versus later?

A: Many! First, we have an early bird discount which lowers Kallah fee by $35 per person. Second, many of our most popular selections are filling up! If you want to be assured of your first choice, or if you want to take part in our Mikveh in the Mountains, sign up SOON!

Q. How do I get the "register with a minyan" discount?

A: This is an incentive for groups from the same community to come to Kallah together. Someone in the community volunteers be the point person to receive forms. He or she would then mail the whole stack to the Kallah office in one envelope (they can also be faxed if payment is by credit card). Please note, that the forms must come in one package to be eligible for the discount. Again, they must be from the same community.

Q: Is there any scholarship or financial aid?

A: We have a couple possibilities. First, all participants are welcome to apply for work-study. This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Kallah through work that will abate up to $300 of your tuition, room & board cost. Second, if you are between the ages of 20-30, check out our Kesher program (link on first page of website) which will subsidize a portion of your tuition, along with work-study.

Q: What if I get to campus after registration closes?

A: If you arrive after registration, you'll pick up your keys, nametags, etc. at the Student Resource Center. Details will be sent in your confirmation letter when you register.

OTHER:

Q: How do I stay up to date with important information about Kallah?

A: As of this Kallah, all registrants with email addresses will be added to "2007-KALLAH-INFO" a special, temporary list serve that will become your primary source of Kallah information. As anti-spam technology increases, it becomes harder for legitimate organizations to communicate with large numbers of people via regular email. Major communications problems have developed when important information got caught in spam filters.

You can expect occasional IMPORTANT messages from the 2007 Kallah List serve from the day your registration is confirmed until several weeks after the Kallah. We will then send you two sequential notices that the list is ending, with the opportunity to subscribe to the regular ALEPH announcement list and/or member discussion list if you desire. Please read ALL postings from 2007-KALLAH-INFO. This is not a discussion list. Only Kallah staff will post and only when we have information directly relevant to you as a registrant.