by Becca Heisler, Wilderness Torah – Berkeley, CA Parshat Acharei Mot, in the book of Vayikrah (Leviticus), brings a follow-up to the deaths of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed by fire before G-d for offering an unholy sacrifice. As a result of this misdeed, Aaron is tasked with atonement: first, he is commanded to make special sacrifices. Then, he bequeaths all of the transgressions of the Israelites upon a goat (the “scapegoat ”) and sends it into the desert. These rituals are the origins of our modern Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. My reactions to Acharei Mot were scattered: fascination, apathy, confusion, sadness, curiosity, anger. Underlying all of those reactions was a question: what brings us back every year to study the commandments, laws, and rituals of Vayikrah that no longer govern our daily lives? We read this parshah during the fourth week of counting The Omer . Each week of the Omer corresponds to one of the lower seven sephirot (attributes or emanations of G-d), and this week is the week of netzach (Endurance). Each day is an exploration of the relationship between netzach and another sephirah – First is chesed (love), next gevurah (boundedness), then […]
Tag Archives | Wilderness Torah
Parashat Terumah and Passover in the Desert | D’varim Ha’Makom: The JOFEE Fellows Blog
by Daniella Aboody – Wilderness Torah, Berkeley California Parsha Terumah and Passover in the Desert: The Holy Gift of Service This week’s Torah portion is Terumah, which translates to “offering”, “gift”, or “contribution”. In this parsha, God instructs Moses to build the Mishkan (tabernacle), or the holy sanctuary, and the entire parsha of Terumah is a very detailed and specific set of instructions for how Moses and the Israelites are to make and furnish G-d’s dwelling place. It is written: “Dedicate to G-d a contribution. Collect my offering from every person whose heart inspires him/her to generosity: gold, silver, and copper; blue, purple and crimson wool; linen and goat hair; arm skins dyed red, tachash skins, and acacia wood; oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the incense; precious gems…You shall place in the ark the testimony which I will give to you…I will meet you there and speak from between the angels. There, I will tell you what to command the Children of Israel.” I find this parsha very intriguing – why are these instructions so particular? Is this all really necessary? For these nomadic people of the desert, such highly elaborate and specific requirements for the Mishkan are not […]
Wilderness Torah Nature Based Mentoring for Youth
For ages 5-13 in the Bay Area interested in exciting outdoor Jewish youth programs, please join Wilderness Torah for an info session to learn about their new programs! INFO SESSION Monday, August 20th, 7 PM – 9 PM East Bay JCC 1414 Walnut St. Berkeley, CA (more…)
Wilderness Torah’s Sukkot on the Farm 2012
Reconnect to your roots this Sukkot with Wilderness Torah! October 4-8, 2012 Green Oaks Creek Farm Pescadero, CA Sukkot on the Farm 2012 Registration is Open! Celebrate the Harvest • Honor the Waters • Sleep Under the Stars Wilderness Torah invites you to gather in a multi-generational community for the sixth annual Sukkot on the Farm Festival – a four-night camp out and celebration of the fall harvest at Green Oaks Creek Farm in Pescadero, CA. (more…)
Shavuot on the Mountain with Wilderness Torah
May 25-28th, 2012 Registration is Open! 2, 3, & 4 Day Options Available! Join Wilderness Torah on Memorial Day weekend for a Shabbat and Shavuot camping festival in Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Oakland. Celebrate, learn, and connect with the natural world and community… (more…)
Get Outside with B’hootz – Wilderness Torah’s Jewish Nature Experience for Children
A program of Hazon’s partners. Wilderness Torah is excited to introduce B’hootz, our expanded year-round children’s Jewish nature experience! B’hootz! is a weekly outdoor experience that teaches children to learn and experience Torah and Jewish life in tune with nature and seasonal cycles. (more…)
Jewish Environmentalist Panel at JCC of the East Bay
This clip comes from a panel discussion that was held in November 2011 at the East Bay JCC’s Global Day of Jewish Learning event.
Global Day of Jewish Learning at the JCC East Bay
Sunday, November 13, 2011, 10 AM – 2 PM JCC East Bay, Berkeley Branch 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley, CA Come celebrate the Global Day of Jewish Learning at the JCC East Bay (1414 Walnut St.), on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 10 am-2 pm! The day will begin with two exciting sessions of classes, taught by the very best educators from our co-sponsors in the East Bay Jewish community. Then, a closing panel will explore new and fast-growing initiatives in the Jewish environmental movement, featuring representatives of Hazon, Urban Adamah, and Wilderness Torah. The event is FREE, and delicious refreshments will be served! Questions can be directed to Noah Zaves at noahz@jcceastbay.org or 510-848-0237 x138. (more…)
Info Session
 for Wilderness Torah’s B’nai Mitzvah Mentorship Program
Info Session
 for Wilderness Torah’s B’nai Mitzvah Mentorship Program Free Introductory evening – Meet the Mentors – Learn about B’naiture (begins this fall)! Monday, September 12th – 7-9 pm at the JCC of the East Bay Make your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah the adventure of a lifetime with Wilderness Torah’s B’nai Mitzvah Nature Mentorship! B’naiture takes your child on a journey through nature to experience the transition from childhood into adolescence. 

Through immersion camping trips and bi-monthly gatherings, B’naiture weaves nature skills, personal challenge, and non-parental mentorship together with Jewish teachings and story to craft an empowering coming-of-age process. Separate male and female cohorts honor their unique journeys. A parallel parent group explores how to best support your children at this critical time. B’naiture supplements traditional B’nai Mitzvah education or serves the independent family journey. To learn much more, please visit www.WildernessTorah.org
Wilderness Torah’s Fifth Annual Sukkot on the Farm Festival
Thursday, October 13th, 5 PM to Sunday, October 16th, 12 PM Early Bird Registration closes August 22nd! Register at wildernesstorah.org For those observing chag, please join us on Wednesday before sunset. (more…)
