Kallah Links
Kallah 2023 FAQ
Registration
How do I know which ticket type is right for me?
We recommend looking through the ticket types on the pricing page to decide which one best suits your needs.
Can I just show up on the day of the event?
No, you may not show up without a prior registration. We are unable to accept any walk-up participants without a prior registration. Participants without a registration will be turned away.
Tell me more about payment.
You may pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. When you register, you will have the option to make your payment in full or make a 50% deposit. Should you select the deposit option, the remainder of the cost will be automatically charged to the card on file on June 1.
When does registration close?
Due to capacity limitations at West Chester University, space in on-campus accomodations are limited. We strongly recommend registering early to secure your spot. Should on-campus accomodations sell out, you will be welcome to find offsite accomodations (local hotels or vacation rental properties) and attend as a commuter.
What is the cancellation policy?
Final balances: All balances are due by June 1, 2023. A late fee of $60 may be applied to payments received after June 1.
Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received in writing to kallah@aleph.org. Cancellations received until May 31, 2023 may receive a full refund (less $60 registration fee per person.) Cancellations received from June 1 – 10, 2023 may receive a 50% refund. Cancellations will not be accepted on or after June 11, 2023. There will be no refunds or exchanges.
Can children or teens attend?
Yes! We are thrilled to offer Kids’ Kallah again this year, for childen aged 3 – 12.
Teens aged 13 – 17 are invited to participate in our madrich (Counselor-in-Training) program at Kids’ Kallah.
More information about Kids’ Kallah can be found by clicking on the Kids’ Kallah tab above.
Transportation and Offsite Hotels
What airport should I fly into?
We recommend flying into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). West Chester is approximately forty minutes west of the Philadelphia airport.
How should I plan on getting from the airport to West Chester?
ALEPH is unable to provide transportation to or from West Chester, so we invite you to choose the method of transportation that best suits your needs.
Lyft/Uber is readily available at the Philadelphia airport, and can be accessed via the Lyft or Uber app on your smartphone. You can schedule your Uber or Lyft ride up to 30 days in advance of your desired pickup.
If you would prefer to book through a shuttle company, ALEPH recommends the Kevin Smith Transportation Group. KTSG is a highly-rated, private transportation company local to the Philadelphia area. ALEPH is thrilled to share a discount exclusive to Kallah attendees.
To access this exclusive discount, please:
a) Call Jackie, KTSG Client Relations Manager, at (610) 222-6225. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm ET. Make sure to mention “Kallah” to receive this discount.
OR
b) Email Jackie, KTSG Client Relations Manager, at jboyer@kevinsmithgroup.com. Make sure to mention “Kallah” to receive this discount.
For one-way transportation between West Chester and the Philadelphia airport the all-in, discounted price from KTSG including all fees and gratuity would be:
- 2 passenger Sedan: $158.41 (per car)
- 5 passenger SUV: $215.49 (per car)
- 14 passenger shuttle: $230.64 (per car)
All of these rates are all-inclusive of fees, tolls, and gratuity. The only fee not assessed is a parking fee for all pickups from the airport, which $10.00 per transfer, and an early morning pickup fee of $15.00 for any trip originating between 12 – 5 am ET.
Note that KTSG is an individual, private transportation company. They do not offer rideshare services.
Note that KTSG has a limited number of pick-ups that they can accommodate each day, so we recommend booking sooner rather than later to secure your slot. If you would like to book a different shuttle company, you are of course welcome to do so.
Are there any hotels nearby if I don’t want to stay in the dorms?
There are several hotels nearby, and you are welcome to stay at them if you wish. Note that ALEPH will not be able to provide transportation to and from the hotels, so you will need to ensure that you can get to campus (walking, driving, rideshare service, etc.) each day.
If you choose to book at a local hotel, please select the Commuter option at registration.
Arriving Early
Is there something going on in the area before Kallah?
Wonderful you should ask! ALEPH Network Community, P’nai Or, is thrilled to open their doors to Kallah attendees for the Shabbat preceding Kallah.
A message from our friends at P’nai Or:
Welcome to Philadelphia and to P’nai Or!
We are thrilled to gather at Kallah for the first time in 5 years! And we are excited to welcome those of you who may be arriving in town before Kallah actually begins.
If you are available, please join us for home hospitality with Shabbat dinner on Friday night–or for Saturday morning davvenen’ and pot-luck kiddush lunch at P’nai Or in the W. Mt. Airy neighborhood of NW Philadelphia. www.pnaior-phila.org
To RSVP for Friday night or Saturday morning (so we can have enough food for our pot luck!) – or if you have any other questions we can help you with, please contact Elissa Yaffe Cohen by email: elissayaffe@yahoo.com or text: 570-606-7989
Check In and Check Out Times
When should I arrive to and depart West Chester?
Kallah 2023 will begin on Monday, July 3.
Please plan on checking in to your dorm (or picking up your registration information, if you are commuting) between 1 pm and 4 pm on Monday. Dinner is the first meal that is provided with regular registration.
If you select early arrival on Sunday, July 2, please plan on checking into your dorm between 3 and 5 pm on Sunday. Sunday dinner is the first meal that is provided with early arrival registration.
Our full-group Opening Ceremony will take place at 7 pm on Monday, July 3.
Check-out time is on Sunday, July 9, at 9 am. The last meal that is included with regular registration is breakfast on Sunday. Please plan on heading to your next destination on Sunday morning.
May I come in on Sunday, July 2?
Yes, please let us know by selecting “Early Sunday Arrival” when you register. There is an extra fee of $150 per adult, Kesher, or teen. There is an extra fee of $50 per child. We cannot accommodate early arrival without an advance reservation that includes this choice. For early arrival, check in time is between 3 and 5 pm on July 2. Dinner is included.
Dorms at West Chester University
Tell me about the dorm housing.
The dorms at WCU are modern with controlled air conditioning. Each room will have two twin beds that will be made before your arrival. Each bed will have linens that fit the twin extra-long beds, pillows, and blankets. Towels, wastebaskets, recycle bins will be provided.
What items are not provided in the dorms?
Hangers, bedside/reading lamps, clocks, soap, other toiletries, refrigerator, and microwave are NOT included.
Are the dorms air-conditioned?
Yes, all dorms are air-conditioned.
Are there kitchen facilities in the dorms that we can use?
Each residence hall has a community kitchen (full with all appliances) that guests staying in that hall can use.
West Chester University Information
How long is the walk from the dorms to the classes and the dining hall?
Most everything is very close! The vast majority of classes and programming will be held in Sykes Student Union, which is a 1 to 3 minute walk from the dorms. The dining hall is a 3 minute walk from the dorms. A few programs will take around campus at slightly further distances. We cannot make any guarantees for where your class or events will be located.
Or, take advantage of our fleet of golf carts to shuttle you. See next FAQ.
I have mobility issues. How will I get around campus?
A fleet of golf carts will assist guests during transition times between programs and meals. If you need a one-person personal mobility vehicle, we recommend finding a local vendor who will be able to rent directly to you.
Do you have a map of the WCU campus?
Of course! Click on the “Accommodations” tab above to view a map of the WCU campus.
Note to those of you who have joined us at WCU before—a lot of these buildings are newly renovated! We think you’ll be quite pleased with the recent updates.
Is there parking?
Yes! Free parking is available to all regardless of ticket type. Handicapped parking spaces are available on campus for those who need them.
Can we use the pool and gym on campus?
More information will be coming soon.
Where is the nearest ATM, should I need it?
The nearest ATM is in the Sykes Student Union, where some of our programming will be taking place.
Where is the nearest Post Office?
West Chester University’s onsite mail center is for WCU use only. The closest post office is located at 101 East Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380. It is approximately a 22 minute walk or a 7 minute drive from the dorms.
Where is the nearest hospital? What about urgent care?
The nearest 24 hour hospital and emergency room is Chester County Hospital, located at 701 East Marshall St, West Chester, PA 19380. It is approximately a 42 minute walk or a 9 minute drive from the dorms.
The nearest urgent care is AFC Urgent Care, located at 510 East Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380. Their hours are 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is approximately a 28 minute walk or an 8 minute drive from the dorms.
Can I use the WCU library?
Yes, you will have access to the WCU library for viewing (but not checking out) books.
What if I need to do laundry?
Each residence hall has a laundry facility that guests can use for free. Detergent is NOT provided. It is recommended that you bring your own detergent or purchase some near campus.
Will we have access to the internet?
Yes, a guest code will be made available to you when you arrive on campus.
Miscellaneous
What’s the schedule like?
Great question! You can check out the full schedule by clicking on the “Schedule” tab above or here. For an overview, the week generally follows this flow: arrival on Monday morning with an Opening Ceremony on Monday evening; four-day classes and one-day workshops in the mornings and afternoons of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; daily davvenen services for Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma’ariv, film screenings in the afternoons, affinity group gatherings in the evenings, and a variety of evening programming each night. We’ll share in breakfast, lunch, and dinner together each day. On Friday night we will gather for a full-group Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by Shabbat Dinner. On Saturday morning, a selection of Shabbat morning services will be complemented by Shabbat afternoon workshops. We’ll close with Havdalah and a Closing Ceremony on Saturday evening, and check out following breakfast on Sunday morning.
Help! I have another question that isn’t listed here.
Not to worry! Feel free to reach out to us at kallah@aleph.org and we’d be happy to help.
Cultivating Connections
