Rosh Hashanah at Camp Granite Lake - Adventure Rabbi

Rosh Hashanah at Camp Granite Lake

Wednesday, Oct 2 – Thursday, Oct 3, 2024

Are the mountains your true spiritual home? Do you feel most “connected” when you are outside? Don’t you wish Judaism could be like that?

Imagine celebrating Rosh Hashanah in the mountains, hiking, and meeting new people, with joyful services led by the “Adventure Rabbi.”

Adventure Judaism will return to picturesque Camp Granite Lake, in Coal Creek Canyon, 30-minutes from South Boulder or Golden to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

Leave your fancy clothes at home and join us. These are not your parents’ High Holiday services!

Some people have made their best friends on our retreats, met their spouse, become engaged, or decided to move to Colorado. This could happen to you. (Although no guarantees.)

PLEASE: leave your dogs at home. We love dogs too, but with 200 people we end up with 100 dogs!

Warning: There is no cell service or wifi so be prepared to disconnect!

Livestreaming is available. Free for members, guests $50. 

Read Rabbi Korngold’s 2023 Sermon

Rosh Hashanah in the Rockies 2024 Details

What:

Rosh Hashanah Retreat at Camp Granite Lake. Services with hiking,  campfire, kids’ activities, lake-side tashlich, new friends, and more.

When:

Oct 2-3, 2024  Wednesday afternoon until Thursday afternoon (Come for all or part, the price is the same)
[Detailed Schedule]

Where:

Camp Granite Lake, in Coal Canyon 30-minutes from South Boulder or Golden CO.  About Camp Granite Lake>> 

Security:

Security for this event is provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Price:

Includes camping, dinner, breakfast, and all program fees.
$70 for members
$190 for guests
Kids under 3 are Free
Sept 15, 2024 and later: Late Registration Fee: +$25 per person
Note: If you are registering on Sept 26 or later, we cannot guarantee dinner. The food will be ordered on Sept 26. You may go through the buffet line after everyone else has been served.

 We urge you to purchase private trip insurance in case you need to cancel. Due to the high expenses of running this trip, we will not be able to refund your payments for any reason, even if you are sick or injured. The best we will be able to do is convert your payment into a donation if you let us know a week before the event that you are not joining us. If we cancel the event, you will receive a full refund.

Youth:

During the day, we have age-specific break-out activities for kids under 12, B” Mitzvah students, teens, and adults. Some years, we are also able to provide special evening programs for youth. When we can, elementary school-age children are welcome to join our teens for a special program during the evening service. Children who are still awake, will attend the service for 30 minutes with their parents and then enjoy arts and crafts, games, and story time with our teen volunteers. However, this is a tough program for us to staff so if it’s a deal breaker for you, call before you sign up, please.

Night Sky Photography:

Five participants will join photographer Mike Berkow for a workshop shooting the Milky Way.  Register in advance by emailing the info@adventurerabbi.org

What you need to bring:
* Flashlight, preferably something with a red filter
* Warm comfortable clothes and other items to be comfortable outdoors
* A camera with manual settings
* The widest angle lens you own
* A tripod
* If you own one, a small level (this is nice if you want your horizon level)
* lots of patience, capturing the Milky Way takes time to get right

Meals:

We begin the retreat by gathering as a community to enjoy a catered, Rosh Hashanah dinner, lovingly prepared by Chef Steve Grindley, using traditional recipes. You will find your Rosh Hashanah favorites such as brisket and matzah ball soup, as well as a variety of dishes so that paleos, vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, and those with other eating styles can enjoy the meal. In the morning the camp prepares a lavish feast. Meals are NOT kosher; we mix milk and meat. Shellfish and pork are not served.

Lodge Rooms:

Lodge rooms are available at an extra cost paid directly to the camp. Lodge rooms sell out quickly.   Visit here>>

The cabins are not winterized! Please bring extra warm blankets or your sleeping bag.

Camping:

Tent camping is included. Small campsites are spread around the camp  grounds, providing delightful niches in which to camp. You’ll be able to park close to your campsite. Camp is at 9,000 feet, so it will likely get colder at night – so throw in an extra blanket in addition to your sleeping bag!

Weather:

Based on the averages recorded at this time of the year, we expect temperatures between 36band 70 degrees. Please bring appropriate gear to be outside in the sun, rain, or snow! Check this link for weather forecasts>>  This is the weather station near camp.

It gets very cold at 9,000′ and the lodge rooms are not winterized. That means, even if you are staying in a cabin, bring warm blankets or a sleeping bag to supplement the camp’s blankets.

Packing Tips:

This list is not all-inclusive but is intended to help you consider what to pack.

  • Flashlight
  • Water bottle
  • To-go mug for breakfast (Camp has styrofoam cups. Bad for the planet!)
  • Teens: you may kayak so consider water shoes, bathing suit, towel, or just clothes that can get wet
  • If you are camping, everything you need- tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, and warm warm clothing etc.
  • Rain jacket
  • Snacks
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Sneakers or hiking shoes
  • Some people use bug spray
  • Camera
  • Hat and gloves
  • PLEASE: leave your dogs at home.

Check the weather! It can be very hot during the day and very cold at night. We tend to dress nicely for the evening but not formally. You will not see a suit or heels, but a collared shirt or dress is always welcome or simply be clean and neat. And warm. Did I mention that?

Detailed Schedule

4:00 – 5:00 pm
Arrive and Check-in (Big Hall )


5:00 – 6:15 pm
Chef Steve’s Holiday Dinner (Big Hall, indoor and outdoor dining weather permitting)


7:00 – 8:30 pm

  • Evening Service with Rabbi Jamie Korngold (Big Hall)

 


9:00 – 11:00 pm

  • Group campfire with marshmallows, great late-night conversation
  • Milky Way photography workshop available for 5 pre-registered people 

7:15 am- 8:15 am
Breakfast and check out of lodge rooms (Big Hall)


8:30 am- 10 am
Morning Service begins with a full group, contemplative, easy hike, including Tashlich, led by Rabbi Korngold. Meet outside the Big Hall.


10 am- 11:30 am
Activities for youth and teens (led by Rabbi Korngold (ages 5-11), Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein (ages 12-13), Camp Staff (ages 14-18)


10 am – 11:30 noon
Adult Discussions with Educator Rebecca Shavit-Lonstein (Amphitheater)


11:30- 12:00 noon
Everyone joins together as we form a circle and unscroll the Torah for the Reading of the Torah and the Hearing of the Shofar.


12 noon
Farewell!

Rosh Hashanah at Camp Granite Lake Details

High Holiday Rosh Hashanah Service:

Rabbi Korngold’s High Holiday services are best described as warm, engaging, and inclusive. They can not be described as long, boring, droning or preachy.

Comments from past participants include: “Wow, I never even had to resort to counting the ceiling tiles!” And: “I liked how the prayerbook was projected on a screen so everyone looked up, rather than down at a book.” And: “I loved the nature images in the service. ”

Full Group Contemplative Hike:

We hike together as a community through the woods, stopping often to slow ourselves down and be inspired by the majesty surrounding us. Rabbi Korngold offers teachings and leads discussions along the way, including one spot overlooking the Continental Divide.  It’s not too crunchy, just the right amount.

Meals:

Our catered dinner will once again be prepared by Steve Grindley of Chef Steve Colorado. The meal is healthy and festive and includes homemade matzah ball soup.
Prices are set by the caterer and go directly to him. They are based on the cost of food and of preparing an elegant meal in a remote location.

Although pork and shellfish will not be served, meals are not kosher. We mix milk and meat but shellfish and pork are not served. Available choices on the buffet line will accommodate vegetarian, lactose-intolerant, gluten-free (preference but not allergy) nut-free (but not allergy), high-protein, and kosher style.
We CANNOT accommodate Celiac Disease, severe nut allergy, or strict kosher.

Dinner Menu:

Bubbie Tetzie’s Matzah Ball Soup (chicken and vegetarian options)

Grandma Sadelle’s Fall Green Salad (vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free)

Bubbie Poofy’s Slow-Braised, Hand-Cut Beef Brisket
(gluten-free, dairy-free)

Sarah T. Donner’s Noodle Kugel (vegetarian, dairy)

Auntie K.T.’s Seasonal Soft-Baked Apples (vegetarian, gluten-free0

Nanna Fay’s Roasted Carrots & Potatoes (vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free)

Chef Steve’s Challah Rolls (vegetarian)

Lemonade/ Water

Breakfast:

Breakfast is prepared by Camp Granite Lake. It generally includes choices of eggs, pancakes or waffles, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, coffee, and juice. Although we do not control the ingredients, most eating styles can find something to their liking, with the exception of allergies affected by cross-contamination.

Need the Dinner Ingredients?

Bubbie’s Handcrafted Matzah Ball Soup
Chicken, Celery, Carrots, Onion, Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Olive Oil, Oregano, Thyme, Matzo meal (unbleached, unbromated Passover wheat flour and water), salt, monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, onion, black pepper, garlic, celery seed and Chicken Base [chicken, salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, modified corn starch, onion powder, natural flavoring, rendered chicken fat, turmeric, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. ]

Vegetarian Version Contains:  Celery, Carrots, Onion, Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Olive Oil, Oregano, Thyme, Matzo meal (unbleached, unbromated passover wheat flour and water), salt, monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, onion, black pepper, garlic, celery seed Vegetarian Soup Base [puréed vegetables (carrots, onions, celery), salt, sugar, corn maltodextrin, vegetable oils (corn, canola, sunflower), water, potato starch, xanthan gum, tapioca dextrin, carrot juice concentrate, autolyzed yeast extract, flavors.]

Grandma Sadelle’s Fall Green Salad
Gluten-Free. Contains: Mixed Greens, Strawberries, Blueberries, Red Onions, Mandarin Oranges, and Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Bubbie Poofy’s Slow-Braised, Hand-Cut Beef Brisket
Gluten-Free. Contains: Red Wine, Garlic, Onion, Celery, Carrots, Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Pepper, Beef Base [Hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, caramel color, beef, natural flavoring, onion powder, xanthan gum.

Sarah T. Donner’s Noodle Kugel
Dairy. Contains Egg noodles, Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Cream Cheese, Vanilla, Sour Cream, Cornflakes [Corn, sugar, salt, barley malt extract, vitamins ]

Nanna Fay’s Roasted Carrots & Potatoes
Gluten-Free and Vegan: Contains Carrots, Potatoes, Olive Oil, Rosemary, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Thyme.

Auntie K.T.’s Seasonal Soft-Baked Apples
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian: Cinnamon, Sugar, Butter, Apples.

Chef Steve’s Challah Rolls
Vegetarian: Flour, Water, Sugar, Yeast, Eggs, and Salt

Refunds:

We urge you to purchase private trip insurance in case you need to cancel. Due to the high expenses of running this trip, we will not be able to refund your payments for any reason, even if you are sick or injured. The best we will be able to do is convert your payment into a donation if you let us know a week before the event that you are not joining us. If we cancel the event, you will receive a full refund.

Who Comes on Adventure Rabbi Trips?

Our participants are:

  • Outdoor-oriented
  • Progressive and open-minded about their Judaism (the service and components are from the Reform traditions, and we will be driving, carrying and lighting fires on the Sabbath and holiday).
  • Looking for “authentic” and meaningful Jewish experiences
  • Representative of a range of Jewish knowledge and practice
  • From all across the United States, L.A. to Florida, to NYC (and of course from Denver and Boulder, Colorado)
  • Newcomers who do not know anyone when they arrive
  • Regulars, who have been coming to AR events for years
  • Families with children.
  • Adults with their adult parents
  • Singles and Couples

Staff

Rabbi Jamie Korngold

Rabbi Jamie Korngold

Besides being the Adventure Rabbi, Rabbi Korngold is known for her relevant and thought-provoking sermons. Her teachings are accessible to all levels of Jewish knowledge, and are rich with stories that resonate with our daily lives. Rabbi Korngold is based in Boulder, Colorado.

She is the author of eleven books including God in the Wilderness, The God Upgrade and the beloved Sadie and Ori children’s series.

What people say about the retreat

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for creating such a meaningful weekend. Until I joined your congregation, I had never felt so connected to what being Jewish meant to me and had that reflected in my experience of attending services. Your authenticity and openness is inspiring and I feel grateful to be a part of this community.- Nicole
Both of your sermons were very appropriate, timely, and special. The hiking teaching was also great. I love that what you talk about is so applicable to our everyday lives and keeps the whole experience very down to earth, reachable, and therefore enjoyable.- Jeanette
I wanted to write you to tell you that I had such a great time at the retreat. It was everything you have been telling me it would be, and more. Not only did I meet some great people but I had some major Jewish realizations as well. In fact, I'm still high off the Jewish buzz.- Emily
The retreat was wonderful! It was so nice to have the service outside. I especially liked the time you gave us to reflect and write about what we wanted to accomplish/change for the coming year.- Johanna
Thanks for creating such a fantastic alternative to traditional services. Our family connects with doing it the Adventure Rabbi way!- Lynette
My parents loved the retreat! I know that it meant so much for them to be there with us. My mom was wondering if she could get a copy of your sermon from the morning services. She really liked it and wanted to reread it.- Bobbee