Passover Seder: April 7, 2012
Optional full Weekend Retreat: April 6-8, 2012

This year, join the Adventure Rabbi community in Moab, Utah for a Reform Passover retreat.

Friday, we open the retreat with a Friday Night Seder on the banks of the Colorado River. This seder will be loaded with discussions, thought provoking questions and singing.

Then, Saturday we embark on a wilderness journey for Seder #2, an all day event including a three mile (round trip) Seder hike on Saturday April 7, 2012, to Corona Arch.

Along the way, we stop to take in the view and to learn, discuss and debate. When we finally reach the arch, we begin our Seder.

We sing, dance, re-tell the Passover story and read the Exodus story directly out of our Backpacking Torah.

We then hike back down to the river, where our catered seder meal is served desert style, on long stretches of fabric set beautifully along the Colorado River.

This is an exquisite and unique opportunity to meet new people and relate to Judaism in a relevant and meaningful way.

People fly in from all over the world for this retreat. We take great pride in our ability to create a close knit community in the seemingly short time of this retreat. Come alone or bring your friends and family. We promise this is one Passover you will never forget!

• Imagine a long expanse of brightly covered fabric, stretched out on the desert floor, with an animated group of casually dressed Jews seated around it.
• Imagine people seated on cushions, reclining in the breeze of the cooling desert afternoon.
• Imagine a tablecloth festooned with seder plates, candles, overflowing goblets, musical instruments and colorful desert decorations.
• Imagine abundant platters of food, piled high with traditional foods.
• Imagine song, dance, and merriment.
• Imagine you hear the laughter, the chatter and the lively debate.
• Imagine you are celebrating Seder with a group of outdoorsy Jews who are quickly becoming your friends.

You won't fall asleep at this Seder!

Leave your fancy clothing at home, pack your bike, hiking boots and water bottle, and come celebrate the Passover Seder 4,000 feet closer to God!

   Register Here >>

Each paid participant will receive a super-bright
Adventure Rabbi-inscribed 9 LED flashlight (batteries included).

Passover Seder 2012 Details:
What:	Reform Passover Seder: traditional foods, innovative outdoor seder, camping w/ options for hiking, biking and rafting.
When:	Friday, April 6 (optional early start) Passover Seder Service led by Rabbi Evon Yakar and Rabbi Jamie Korngold. NEW: Catered Vegetarian Seder Meal Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 11 am The Main Event - Passover Seder with hike led by Rabbi Evon Yakar and Rabbi Jamie Korngold Sunday, April 8, 2012 at 9 am - 12:30: Guided Hike Sunday morning with Rabbi Jamie Korngold Kids Program Sunday morning with Rabbi Evon Yakar Camping along Colorado River [Tentative Schedule]
Where:	Moab, Utah. Gold Bar Campground, 14 miles outside of Moab. View Photos >>
Why:	Let the wilderness awaken your Judaism for Passover Seder 2012.
Price:	Adults: $125 Adults, Ages 21-30: $12.50 (90% Scholarship - click here) Students: $95 Teens 13-17: $95 Children 2- 12: $65 Children under 2 free Adventure Rabbi Members, Free (Adventure Rabbi Membership is $1,000 per person or $750 for students) Includes: catered, Kosher for Passover Seder April 7, 2012, (Read more on what we mean by kosher below), Camping Friday and Saturday nights, programs and activities starting on Friday night. Guided Mt Biking & rafting additional. NEW: Optional vegetarian catered meal Friday night. We discourage camping for families with small children who wake in the middle of the night and may wake up other campers. Early Bird Discount: Until Dec 31, 2011: $99 After Dec 31, 2011: $125 After March 16, 2012: +$25 additional late registration fee.    Register Here >>
Menu:	Catered Passover Seder Meal, served desert style [Passover Seder Meal Details] Saturday Seder Meal included with Registration Friday Seder Meal (Vegetarian) is optional.
Come for Free:	We have four ambassador positions, Ambassadors attend for free in exchange for working the event. [Details]
Kids Program:	We will be featuring a special kid's program Sunday morning, led by Rabbi Evon Yakar
Camping:	A gorgeous site along the Colorado river. [Details] Friday and Saturday camping included in fee. Sorry, but we're not able to accommodate pets, even dogs. Outhouses are on site.
Closest Airport:	Grand Junction, CO or Moab, Utah. Rental cars are available [Click Here]
Religious Affiliation:	Rabbi Jamie Korngold is a Reform rabbi and author of God in the Wilderness and The God Upgrade; this is an out-of-the-box religious event. We will be carrying, lighting fire, and driving on the Sabbath and on the Holiday.

Our participants are:

• Outdoor-oriented
  
• We tend to get lots of 20s, 30s and 40s.
  
• 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 the arrive
  
• Regulars, who have been coming to AR events for year
  
• Families with children. Special kid's Passover program.
  We discourage camping for families with small children who wake in the middle of the night and may wake up other campers
  
• Singles and Couples

Corona Arch - Celebrate Passover Here!

[View More Photos >>]

Menu:
We know having eating traditional Passover foods is very important. We will be serving a traditional Seder meal, which will be Kosher for Passover. By this we mean that none of the prohibited grains or leavening products will be used. However, we will not serve kosher meats because we are not comfortable with the methods currently used to raise and slaughter kosher animals. No pork or shellfish will be served.The kitchen where the food is prepared is not a kosher kitchen.

Veggie options will be available, but must be pre-ordered when you register. (Menu subject to change)

• Saturday Passover Seder Dinner
  • Beef Brisket*
  • Baked Salmon
  • Vegan option
  • Rosemary & Thyme Roasted potatoes
  • Sweet potato/carrot/prune tzimis or Sweet Potato Kugel
  • Matzah Ball Soup (made with vegetarian broth)
  • Gefilte with horseradish
  • Charoset
  • Parsley and Salt Water
  • Tossed Spring Mixed Greens Salad
  • Sponge Cake & Macaroons

* Please note, meat will not be Heckschered

Seder:
The Adventure Rabbi Seder promises to be experiential, engaging, interactive and inclusive. It will not be boring, droning or preachy. Come prepared to hike, sing, dance, and discuss.

Imagine a long expanse of brightly covered fabric, stretched out on the desert floor, with all of us seated around it. Imagine people seated on cushions, reclining in the breeze of the cooling desert afternoon. Imagine a tablecloth festooned with seder plates, candles, goblets, musical instruments and colorful desert decorations. Imagine abundant platters of food, piled high with traditional foods.

[Topo Map]

Our innovative Seder will begin with an all group hike up to Corona Arch (pictured above) and will include engaging relevant discussions, dance, song, and great food.

Join us!

Pre and Post Seder Activities Friday and Sunday:
On Friday Rabbi Evon and Rabbi Jamie will co-lead a creative Shabbat and Passover observance.

Sunday we will be offering a hike with Rabbi Korngold and a special program for families with kids.

Sunday Family Program:
Rabbi Evon Yakar will be leading an interactive and engaging program for kids 9 and under and their parents. (Sorry, we are not equipped to take children without an adult.) This delightful program will include:

• Age-appropriate walks
• Learning and discovery
• And lots of fun

You are also welcome to take your kids on the adult hike, if they like hiking with adults. We have learned that many kids enjoy the hike, while others are more content hanging out at the campsite.

Weather:
Based on the averages recorded at this time of the year, we expect temperatures between 39 and 76 degrees. Please bring appropriate gear to be outside in sun, rain or snow! We'll send a recommended gear list before the retreat. Unfortunately, beside for some sun shelters, we do not have an indoor option available if bad weather prevails. That's the adventure part of Adventure Rabbi. Fortunately there is usually only 1.2 inches of rain in Moab in April. There will be no refunds for bad weather.

Bring: (complete gear list will be sent closer to the retreat)

• Camping gear (also available for rent, email for details >>)
• Water and extra water (not available in the campground)
• Toilet Paper / hand sanitizer
• Outdoor clothing
• Cushions for sitting on during seder
• Seder plate (optional)
• Camping chair
• Wood for campfire (optional)
• Musical instruments for around the campfire
• To be as "green" as we can, we ask you to bring your own plates, bowls, cups and utensils, for eating so we can avoid disposables
• Bring your own food and cooking gear for meals other than the seder!

Rabbi Jamie Korngold
Rabbi Korngold is an ordained Reform rabbi and the founder and Executive Director of the Adventure Rabbi Program, based in Boulder Colorado. She is nationally recognized for her innovative work combining religion and nature, as well as for her cutting edge use of technology.

A favorite of the media, she has been featured by Good Morning America, National Geographic, NPR, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Ski Magazine as well as many other outlets.

Rabbi Korngold is an athlete and a scholar. She completed the Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile running race in less than 30 hours and was ranked fourth in the nation for telemark mogul skiing. She is a graduate of Cornell University's natural resources program and received her masters and ordination from Hebrew Union College.

Rabbi Korngold is best known for her ability to make Judaism relevant, meaningful and accessible and therefore opening the doors back to Judaism for thousands of disenfranchised Jews. Through her nature based approach to religion, she is able to bridge the gap between scientific thought and religion, healing a fissure that often disrupts spiritual paths.

She lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband Jeff and daughters, Sadie and Ori.

Rabbi Jamie Korngold, the author of the best selling book God in the Wilderness (Doubleday 2008) which is now in its third printing.

Her forthcoming books include:

The God Upgrade: Finding Your 21st-Century Spirituality in Judaism's 5,000-Year-Old Tradition (Jewish Lights, March 2011).

Sadie & the Sukkah Breakfast (Kar-Ben, July 2011).

Sadie and the Big Mountain (Kar-Ben, 2012)

Sadie and the Super Shamus (Kar-Ben, 2012)

Sadie and the Desert Passover (Kar-Ben, 2013)

Sadie, Ori and the Lag B'Omer Mystery Kar-Ben, 2013)

Find her at:
Adventure Rabbi: http://www.AdventureRabbi.org/
Facebook: http://www.AdventureRabbi.org/facebook/
Blog: http://blog.AdventureRabbi.org/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/adventurerabbi

Rabbi Evon Yakar:
Rabbi Evon lives in South Lake Tahoe, California. He specializes in youth education and is an expert at making Judaism relevant and meaningful to 12 and 13 year olds.

He is passionate about sharing Judaism with his students and loves the opportunity to personalize the program according to the interests of each of his students.

Rabbi Evon recently built a new road bike and can often be found riding the beautiful roads and trails near his home in South Lake Tahoe California. Rabbi Evon works part-time for the Adventure Rabbi Program and part time as the Rabbi at Temple Bat Yam. Rabbi Evon also loves skiing, hiking, and playing ice hockey. In his free time you can find him hiking with his wife Rachel and their dog Sasha.

Jeff Finkelstein
If you have called or emailed the office to find out about this retreat, chances are you spoke with Jeff. Jeff coordinates the overall logistics for the retreat, including web development, fielding participants questions and everything else you can possible imagine.

Jeff is also the lead mountaineering guide at Adventure Rabbi, and brings to the trail years of experience working in the Jewish camping world. He is proud to be product of the Reform Movement's youth group system. Jeff adds to his Jewish knowledge his skills as a back country guide, ski patroller and mountaineer.

Anne O'Driscoll
We are thrilled that Anne will be our event planner this year. She has years of experience working as an event planner. Anne has a fabulous eye for detail, a welcoming manner, and a get-it-done attitude! Anne coordinated our Yom Kippur service, so you may have met her there. Anne will have a staff of four ambassadors to help facilitate the event. FOr more information about being an ambassador see>>

Jennah and Scott Lagomarsino
Scott has been in the catering business for years and has also assisted in the logistics of many Adventure Rabbi retreats. Jennah has been our event planner for years. This year, they combines their talents by providing the catering for the Passover Seder. Scott is known for his delicious traditional meals and his kind demeanor. We are thrilled to have them on our team.

Friday and Saturday night camping are included in your fee. We have the campground reserved on Thursday night as well, and you are welcome to camp on Thursday night (but very few people will be there).

The Gold Bar Recreation Site Campground is located on a sweeping curve in the Colorado River, just 14 miles from the town of Moab. The campground offers stunning views both up and down the river corridor. Sunset is particularly striking at Gold Bar, as the Navajo Sandstone cliffs surrounding the campground change color as darkness falls. Our Seder will begin with a hike to Corona Arch, right from the campground. This 90 x 140 foot arch rivals any in Arches National Park. View Photos >>

How to Get There: From Moab, travel five miles north on U.S. Highway 191. Turn left (west) on Utah Highway 279 and drive ten miles. Turn left into the Gold Bar Recreation Site. The group sites are located adjacent to the Colorado River. (If you are traveling south on U.S. Highway 191, turn right onto Utah Highway 279 just past the entrance to Arches National Park.)

About Dogs / Pets: We love dogs, and wish they could be part of the camping experience. However, we're not able to accommodate dogs (other than seeing-eye dogs) at this event.

We recommend the following places to watch your dog in Moab, Utah:

• Moab Veterinary Clinic 4575 Spanish Valley Drive Moab UT 84532 Len W. Sorensen DVM. Call 8 am-5 pm for boarding or appointment. Call 24 hrs. a day for emergencies (435) 259-8710.
  Pets will need to be fully vaccinated to board, vaccinations must be current. Dogs need to be vaccinated for "Kennel Cough" and you will need to bring proof of vaccinations. Advance reservations are helpful, especially around the holidays.
• Dog & Cat Clinic of Moab, Jim Gostlin DMV, 125 East 300 South Moab, UT 84532-2619 (435) 259-2733 dogandcatclinic@frontiernet.net
• Karen's Canine Campground 2781 S. Roberts Rd. (435) 259-7922
• K-9 Taxi and Boarding Call Jeff or Kimi 435 686-2295 PDF / more info
• More info about Pets in Moab >>

Facilities: There are picnic tables and fire rings and sites are adjacent to outhouses. Bring toilet paper. Ample parking is available.

Water: There is no drinking water on site. Untreated (but tested) water is available at Matrimony Spring, located just east of U.S. Highway 191 on Utah Highway 128. A boat ramp is available for canoe and raft use of the Colorado River.

Staying Elsewhere:
You are welcome to book your own accommodation in Moab or surrounding areas. Discounts will not be given for those staying elsewhere.

For our guests from afar, we suggest flying to Moab, Utah's Airport or Grand Junction, Colorado and renting a car. All the national chains of rental cars are available from Grand Junction Airport.

Distance from nearby points:

• Grand Junction, CO: 113 miles from (1 hour 50 min)
• Denver, CO: 355 miles (5 hours 28 minutes)
• Boulder, CO: 366 miles (5 hours 49 min)
• Salt Lake City, Utah: 234 miles (4 hours)
• Aspen, Colorado: 239 miles (4 hours)
• Eagle, Colorado: 229 miles (3 hours 29 minutes)
  

We are happy to provide you with several places to rent camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) so you have less to schlep. There will also be people on hand who can teach you to set it all up.

Canyon Voyages (Moab, Utah) - 801-259-4121
http://www.canyonvoyages.com/
Eureka Timberline Tents (2 person tent) $25 first day + $10 each additional day
Sleeping Pad: $5 first day + $3 each additional day
Sleeping Bags (deluxe 30 degree): $10 first day + $7 each additional day

REI (Grand Junction, CO) - (970) 254-8970
http://www.rei.com/stores/70
Tents: $15 first day + $5 each additional day
Sleeping pads: $8 first day + $4 each additional day
Sleeping bags: $12 first day + $4 each additional day

Please note that Moab is at 4,000 feet, which is lower than Denver. Although most people do not experience altitude sickness at this elevation, you may notice that you are a bit short to breath and can not exercise as rigorously as you do at sea-level.

Please be sure to drink lots of water and have adequate protection form the sun (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses.) Dehydration can greatly increase your risk for altitude related sicknesses.

We have openings for 4 ambassador positions at the Passover Retreat in Moab. Ambassadors come to the retreat for free in exchange for working at the retreat.

The ambassadors have the crucial job of helping make everyone who attends feel welcome and part of the group. There are many tasks that need to be done. Some are easily laid out (below) and others are more vague, such as seeking out people who seem to be alone and inviting them to join in the fun. The ambassadors are key to help facilitate a smooth running retreat. The ambassador team will work with Anne O'Driscoll, our event planner.

Description:

• First ones to arrive: Arrive by noon on Friday to welcome participants and prepare campground (i.e. put up signs).
• Last ones to leave on Sunday to be sure the campsite is clean.
• Be present in the campground and offer to participants unload cars, find correct camping areas, and help set up tents.
• Help guide hikes by accompanying slower hikers and serving as sweep
• Help set tables
• Help clear tables and clean up from Seder
• Build and tend campfires. Extinguish them at the end of the night.
• Help facilitate small group welcome activity

If you are interested, please let us know by submitting this form>>

Click here to register >>

• The first night of Passover is Friday, April 6, 2012, and we're celebrating with an innovative Seder led by Rabbi Jamie Korngold and Rabbi Evon Yakar. We now have a Catered vegetarian meal option for Friday night (this is $25 extra per person). About 60% of the group are planning on arriving Friday in time for the 1st night seder.
• Saturday is the 2nd Night of Passover, and is our "main event." We begin with a hike up to Corona Arch at 11:00 am, where we'll start the Seder service and read the Biblical story of the Exodus right out of the Torah. The Saturday night Seder meal is served back at the campground, and this is included with your registration.
• Camping is included Friday and Saturday nights with registration.
• 90% Scholarship for people 21-30: If you or your friends are Jewish and between the ages of 21-30, you are eligible to come to Passover in Moab for just $12.50. (More details on the site.)
• Sunday's activities include a hike led by Rabbi Jamie Korngold up a nearby canyon, a hike led by Rabbi Evon Yakar for Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, almost bar and bat mitzvah students, and their families, and a program led by Early Education Specialist Debbie Popiel for families with younger children.
• Next year (2013), Passover falls very early in March (a shortfall of a Lunar-based calendar system), and is going to be too cold to hold Passover in Moab in 2013. So if you're thinking of putting this off until next year, this might be a better year to attend.

1. Do you still have room for me (and my friends and family)? Yes. We still have room for you, and the campground can accommodate a lot of people. We've only had to close registration once, so if you'd like to attend, sign up soon.
2. How many years have you been doing Passover in Moab, Utah? This is our fifth year running the Passover in Moab retreat.
3. I've never camped before. Is there someone who can show me how to set up a tent? Yes, we have an amazing ambassador program, who can help you get settled.
4. What meals do I need to worry about? You need to bring breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's dinner is included with registration. Friday's catered meal (optional) is an additional $25 per person. We will send out Passover-friendly meal suggestions to people that register.
5. Is there a place I can see photos from past events to make sure this will work for me? Yes, we've posted all previous years' photos here. If you would like a family photo, please make sure to find me -- I'll have my camera with me :)
6. How hard is the hike to Corona Arch? If you are in reasonable shape, the 1.5 mile hike to the arch is not too difficult. There are two steep sections, including one with a short metal ladder. We try to have people to lend a hand, but you'll need to be comfortable hiking on uneven, rocky ground.
7. Are there people who just come by themselves? Yes. Every year, we have many people who come to this retreat and others by themselves. We work hard to make sure that they feel welcome, and many of them meet some of their best friends in the whole world at our retreats.
8. Can I still go if I don't like to camp? Yes. For many reasons, many people want to stay in a hotel in the town of Moab. Town is a 15 minute drive from the campground. We recommend making hotel reservations in Moab soon (as they tend to sell out for Easter weekend).
9. Where is the closest airport? The closest major airport is in Grand Junction, Colorado (about 1.5 hour drive to the campground). Grand Junction also has an REI about 10 minutes from the airport. Salt Lake City may be a better bet for a direct flight from most cities. The town of Moab actually does have a (very) small airport, if you're comfortable in small planes, and you can also rent gear in Moab, too.
10. Can I bring my super-friendly dog with me? Unfortunately, no. I used to be a dog trainer for search and rescue and love dogs. But at our event, we're unfortunately not able to accommodate dogs at the campground. Doggie daycare is available in Moab (details here).