A day at Retorno follows a steady, predictable rhythm: prayer and breakfast in the morning, therapy groups and activities through the day, a 12-Step meeting in the evening and lights out at 10:30 PM. This page shows the typical daily schedule of the English-speaking residential program at Retorno, a kosher therapeutic community in Givat Shemesh, near Beit Shemesh, Israel, so families can picture what life here looks like.
A typical weekday (Sunday to Thursday)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Wake up |
| 7:00 AM | Morning prayer (Shacharit) |
| 7:40 AM | Morning meeting: each resident shares how many clean days they have |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | House duties: cleaning and kitchen |
| 9:50 AM | Room check |
| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Morning program: therapy groups, guided walks with a counselor, fitness training, therapeutic horseback riding or therapeutic gardening |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM | Afternoon prayer (Mincha) |
| 2:30 – 5:00 PM | Afternoon program: art therapy, yoga, group sessions, individual therapy, a weekly session with Rabbi Chaim Hellman, and time for personal work and reflection |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Evening group, on some days together with the residents of our detox units |
| 7:20 PM | Dinner |
| 8:00 PM | AA or NA meeting (online) |
| 9:30 PM | Evening prayer (Maariv) |
| 10:30 PM | Lights out |
What the week includes
- Group therapy every day, led by counselors and therapists, including a weekly group with Dr. Ellie Katz.
- Individual therapy sessions with a therapist.
- Fitness training twice a week with a personal trainer.
- Therapeutic horseback riding and animal-assisted therapy.
- Art therapy, yoga and therapeutic gardening.
- 12-Step meetings: an AA or NA meeting every weeknight.
- Daily responsibilities: residents share cleaning and kitchen duties, part of learning to live independently again.
Friday and Shabbat
Shabbat is a time to rest and to process the week. The schedule is lighter, but it keeps its structure, with at least one group, meals together and prayer. Exact times follow the Shabbat schedule, which changes with the seasons.
- Friday: a regular morning program, then time to write a weekend assignment and prepare for Shabbat. In the evening: Kabbalat Shabbat, Kiddush and Shabbat dinner together.
- Shabbat: a later wake-up, coffee and cake, prayer, Kiddush and a festive meal, rest, a group session in the afternoon and Seudah Shlishit. After Shabbat, residents complete their weekend assignment.
Life at Retorno is part of a kosher Jewish community. People of any level of observance are welcome.
Frequently asked questions
How structured is the day at Retorno?
Very. Every weekday runs from a 6:45 AM wake-up to lights out at 10:30 PM, with prayer, meals, house duties, therapy and activities at set times. A predictable routine is part of the treatment.
Do residents have free time?
Yes. There is free time every afternoon, and Shabbat is a lighter day focused on rest.
Do residents have to be religious to take part?
No. Daily life includes prayer, Shabbat and kosher food, and the community welcomes people of any level of observance.
Learn more
Read about our residential program for English speakers, see Retorno at a Glance for the key facts, or read our guide to rehab in Israel for Americans. Families can read how families are involved in treatment. To talk with our English-speaking team, contact us or call our US line at (646) 248-7297.
Last updated: November 2026