About Us
The Jewish Greenbush Retreat Leadership Campus , nestled in the beauty of upstate New York, is a hub for cultivating Jewish leadership grounded in trust, responsibility, and purpose. Surrounded by nature, it is a place where individuals step away from the noise of daily life to strengthen their inner voice and emerge as confident leaders.
For over two decades, our signature program, the Jewish Girls Retreat , has inspired and empowered hundreds of girls to recognize their strengths and lead with compassion. Building on this foundation, we purchased our campus in 2018 and now offer family holiday retreats and programs , women’s and singles leadership retreats , and Chabad of South Rensselaer County educational programs that integrate creativity, nature, and hands-on leadership workshops.
The campus serves as the headquarters for Jewish Girls Unite and the GROW Connection Network , a global leadership community of girls, women, and educators. Inspiration flows year-round from this base into homes and classrooms around the world and comes alive in person through retreats that develop leaders at every stage of life.
We use cutting-edge approaches in education and technology. Our leadership resources published by JGU Press , are used throughout our global community—before, during, and long after retreats—ensuring that leadership growth continues well beyond the campus. These include the world-renowned GROW Method of Prayer , the Seven Voices of Leadership Self-Discovery Journal for Bat Mitzvah and beyond, and over two dozen publications supporting Jewish leadership development.
Be our guest. Step into a space that nurtures the leader within you— GROW, build Bitachon, and give voice to your inner light
Glimpse of Our Growth: 1996 – Rabbi Avraham and Nechama Laber moved to the Capital Region Jewish community 1996 to serve as Shluchim and Rabbi and Rebbetzin. 1998 – Est. The Capital Region Ba Mitzvah Club 2000 – Est. Bat Mitzvah Camp 2005 – Est. Jewish Girls Summer & Winter Retreat 2009 – Est. Chabad of S. Rensselaer County 2010 – Est. Pesach with Pleasure Retreat 2015 – Est. Jewish Girls Unite Global Online Community for girls 2016 – Est. JGU Press with our 1st publication titled One More Light 2018- Est. The Jewish Greenbush Retreat Leadership Campus 2019 – Est. Women’s GROW Retreat 2020 – Est. JGU Online School 2021 – Est. GROW Connection Network & GROW Method of Prayer Trainings & Resources 2023 – Est. Build Bitachon Resources 2024 – Est. Peace in the Process Singles Retreats 2025 – Est. GROW Cafe 2026 – Launching… Boys Build Bitachon (BBB) The Giving Kitchen Teen Leadership Camp & Lounge
Programs Offered
JGU Leadership Retreats for Girls & Women
Holiday Family Retreats (Pesach, Shavuos, Sukkos)
Womens Art & Soul Classes
Holiday Education Programs
