Q: How Jewish is this?
A: We work hard to create spaces where people with a range of practice are welcomed, from new Jews, non-Jews and the “Jew-ish” to more traditionally observant Jews. We think building pluralistic community is a fun challenge and causes us to think creatively about the meaning of our traditions and how we practice them.
We always have a variety of program options. For example, during morning Shabbat services, you can choose from a celebratory, musical service, a traditional egalitarian minyan, a group hike in the woods, or time on your own or with friends. Everything’s optional, and we hope you’ll experiment, as our prayer options tend to be some of the most creative and powerful prayer experiences that people have had.
Please feel free to ask us questions and make suggestions about Jewish observance (and non-observance) at our festivals and events.
For specific questions about keeping kosher and Shabbat, please see the following questions.
Q: Who is welcome at Wilderness Torah events and festivals?
A: Everyone is welcome at Wilderness Torah events and festivals. We create pluralistic, multi-generational community celebrations to reconnect us to the earth-based traditions of Judaism. We welcome Jews, non-Jews, interfaith couples, the GLBTQ community, and people of color. We do our best to offer a range of activities so that people of all backgrounds and experience levels can plug in.
Q: Do you keep kosher?
A: Our festivals are a pesca-vegetarian event, meaning food will be mostly vegetarian with some fish (which you may easily opt out of). In making its food choices, Wilderness Torah prepares food according to the highest ethical standards, including kosher, local, organic, seasonal, humane, and socially just. Wilderness Torah prioritizes sourcing fresh, unprocessed foods, and when choosing processed or packaged foods, aims to purchase certified kosher foods. Wilderness Torah may at times prioritize certain values, such as local or organic, over kosher certified. When such a choice is warranted, we will share such decisions openly. We do not employ a mashgiach (someone who supervises kashrut, the guidelines for keeping kosher).
We try to accommodate everyone’s food needs to the best of our abilities and can provide menus upon request.
If you are bringing your own snacks and food, please note that you must keep them in your tent area (animals will not be a problem) and not in the kitchen so that we can maintain kashrut in the kitchen.
Q: Do you observe Shabbat?
A: Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) marks the seventh day of creation, the Sabbath. On this day, we rest from the act of doing, making, and creating. In order to honor this practice, we will not make fire (though fires started before Shabbat may continue until they go out), drive, build, or work. For instance, we do not have a community fires on Friday nights, and we do not cook meals (we still prepare delicious food, however). We do play musical instruments on Friday nights, including guitars. We will end Shabbat by making Havdallah (the ceremony that divides the holy day of Shabbat from the rest of the week).
Your own personal observance level may vary and that is fine, please also respect others’ observance levels.
Q: Do I need camping experience? What kinds of facilities are there?
A: You should be comfortable in the outdoors, and previous camping experience is nice, though not required. For a camping trip, Wilderness Torah is pretty easy! You don’t need to hike in with your gear (your car will be close by), and all your meals will be served to you. At the same time, especially at Passover in the Desert, facilities are limited, and we are in the wilderness. In the desert, there is no running water, which means no showers, unless you bring a solar shower or bucket. There are port-o-potties, but no plumbing, in the desert and at Sukkot on the Farm. There are no indoor areas in the desert, however Wilderness Torah builds temporary communal structures to keep out the sun and at least some of the wind. At Sukkot on the farm, there are some indoor areas accessible to participants. At Shavuot on the Mountain, the campground has running water and toilets.
Q: Can I come for part of a festival?
A: In order to attend any part of a festival you need to be registered for the whole event. We do not have any partial registration available at this time. It is possible to register and then only attend part of it, but we hope to create a strong and safe container for our experience through having as many people as possible in attendance for the entire event. Please join us for our entire village-building experience!
Q: What kind of camping gear do I need for a festival?
A: You need your own basic camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, camping mattress), but we are more than happy to help you set up your tent or figure out other camping gear issues once you’re onsite. You won’t need anything fancy like featherweight stoves or your own axe. Certain items are a must, like a sun hat and flashlight. We provide a specific packing list for each festival.
Q: Why do you hold programs on Shabbat?
A: We serve people of all levels of observance. Occasionally we schedule Panim El Panim or a Havdallah gathering on Saturday of Shabbat, before sundown. We do this to provide a variety of possible days that our community can participate in these events and know that spending a day on the land is a potent Shabbat practice for many, even if it involves driving to a park. We have many other equivalent events that are not held on Shabbat, so those who do not drive on Shabbat do have opportunities to participate.
What is your festival refund policy?
Please read our refund policy here.
Further Questions?
