Organization
Wilderness Torah
Berkeley, California, US
Wilderness Torah’s mission is to awaken and celebrate the earth-based traditions of Judaism to nourish the connections between self, community, earth and Spirit. We create a Jewish nature-based education and community environment for children and families to have from kindergarten through the teen years. Long-term relationships can be formed with the natural world, other children, and our amazing mentors, and we provide mentorship for youth through innovative, embodied Jewish education in nature. Wilderness Torah youth programs take place on Ahlone land- in the East Bay Regional Parks, as well as camping trips in the Santa Cruz mountains. Youth can join at any point along this journey of discovery!
Wilderness Torah also offers an annual cycle of experiential land-based festivals. There, we gather as a pluralistic, multi-generational community to celebrate the seasons and Jewish traditions in their original nature-based context.
B’hootz: Sunday school in the woods, Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Bringing the Torah to Life with the Seasons
B’hootz is a mentorship program that integrates nature-based exploration within Jewish spirituality, tradition, and ethics. Children enroll for the full school year. For any denomination or observance level!
Dates: September 2016 – May 2017 (15 Sundays)
Location: East Bay Hills
B’naiture: Wilderness Coming-of-Age Journey
Starting in 6th Grade
B’naiture is a two-year, experiential program for girls and boys entering 6th grade that uses nature as a vehicle to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence.
B’naiture is forging a new Jewish pathway for nature and soul-centric B’nai Mitzvah.
Dates: October 2016 – May 2018
(Each season runs from October to May and includes 6 Sundays, 5 Wednesday nights, and 3 weekend camping trips)
Location: East Bay Hills, with camping trips in the South Bay
Organizational Information
Modalities
Areas of Work
Access types
Cultural population
- Jewish
- Applicants from diverse backgrounds, some from multi-faith and multi-cultural backgrounds. We frame programming through a Jewish lens.
Religious/spiritual orientation
Age range
- 5–18
- All ages