Dear [[first]],
With all the June rain, you can imagine my joy when the rain
stopped and the clouds cleared just in time for our Friday night Shabbat
service! Over 90 of us gathered on Flagstaff mountain for a festive
service and picnic. Read more >>
Join us on August 6 for another Flagstaff Mountain service and picnic.
Details >>
Our Shabbat hikes are this Saturday, 10 am for families with kids, 3 pm for adults. You must RSVP for the family hike. Details >>
See
you on the trail!
L' Shalom,
|
| What: |
We
will hike on the Mesa Trail at a moderate pace, during one of
the most beautiful times of the day. We find inspirational natural
synagogues to enjoy a 20 –30 minute Shabbat service, filled with
liturgy that has carefully been chosen to help us appreciate our
natural surroundings. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME, SO WE CAN LEAVE ON TIME! |
| When: | July 10, 3-6 p.m. |
| Where: | Shanahan Ridge Trailhead (directions) |
| Who: | Adults. Kids b'nai mitzvah age and up welcome if accompanied by a parent. |
| And Then... | Afterwards, join us at Southern Sun for a bite to eat and a chance to chat. |
| Bring: | Sturdy boots, warm clothing, water, sunscreen, rain gear and a snack. |
| About Dogs: | If you can leave your dog at home, we suggest it. However, if you cannot come without your dog, please be confident that your dog will be friendly with other dogs, well-behaved around the group, and able to sit quietly by your side during the service. Please do bring a leash and a "waste removal" bag. |
| Fee: | Zip, Zero, Free. (Donations Welcome. Click here to donate online) |
Come Hike with us!
RSVP invited by not required
Email: info@adventurerabbi.com
or call 303.443.2642
| What: |
Help your children experience the joy of Shabbat with an easy hike on the Mesa Trail and a youth oriented service in the midst of God's creation. | |
| When: | July 10, 2004 10- 12 noon. Please arrive on time, so we can leave on time! | |
| Where: | Chautauqua Ranger's Cottage Steps (directions) |
|
| Who: | Children must be either old enough to participate in a 2-hour program with approx 1.5 hours of hiking or young enough to be comfortably carried. Children must be accompanied by an adult. |
|
| Bring: | Water, sunscreen, raingear, sturdy shoes, warm clothing, and snacks. | |
| About Dogs: | Please, no dogs. | |
| Fee: | Zip, Zero, Free.
(Donations Welcome. Click here to donate online) |
|
Flagstaff Mountain (no hiking!)
Imagine
Friday night Shabbat Services on the summit of Flagstaff
Mountain. Our 6 pm service is held at the spectacular
Stone Shelter picnic area. Join us for an unforgettable Shabbat, surrounded
by fragrant trees, red-rock, great company and song.
Bring your
family and friends or come alone.
No hiking involved! All ages welcome. The song-filled service will be
less than an hour.
| Picnic Dinner: |
After services, join us for a picnic dinner Please bring your own picnic dinner and table cloth. No alcoholic beverages permitted. (Open Space regulations.)
| Details: |
What:
Shabbat Service and Picnic Dinner
Dates:
August 6 & September 3
Time:
6 pm
Cost:
Your $5 donation is appreciated to help defray the cost of renting the
facility. You may pay at the door or for those not comfortable handling
money on Shabbat,
Click here to pay in advance. Visa/MC accepted.
Volunteers:
We need 3 volunteers to help greet, clean-up and make sure the evening
goes smoothly.
Click here to volunteer.
Directions: Baseline Road west towards mountains. Drive past
Chautauqua Park on your right. The road's name changes to Flagstaff
Road. 3.4 miles up Flagstaff Road, to Realization Point, then right
turn, 0.5 miles on Flagstaff Summit Road. Click
here for a map.
Parking:
Boulder residents whose cars are registered in Boulder do not need parking
permits. If you are not registered in Boulder, there is a $3 parking
permit fee. Fee may be paid as you turn onto Flagstaff Summit Road.
Click
here for details
Dogs: Must be on leashes, able to quietly sit through the service and play well with other dogs. For park regulations on dogs please click here.
Each morning it was the same thing -- gray skies, rain and more rain. Was this really Boulder, Colorado? I began to wonder if our Friday night service on Flagstaff Mountain would end up being the first Adventure Rabbi event in Boulder called because of rain.
By Friday afternoon, I had gotten several calls and emails: “What is the rain plan?” “When will you make the call?” My answer: “At 6 pm if it is pouring rain, we will cancel and try again August 6, but otherwise, the plan is to go ahead.”
At 4:30, my husband Jeff and I drove up to Flagstaff Mountain to begin the set-up. Big drops of rain hit the windshield. They were lethargic and widely spaced as if contemplating if tonight really was a good night to rain.
We hung the first banner with our raincoats on, but by 5 pm as we set up the tables, the rain stopped, giving way to sunshine. Could it be the rain would pause?
The stone seats of the amphitheater quickly dried off, the clouds blew out of range, leaving the shockingly beautiful view of Boulder below and the Flatirons above.
By 5:45 pm, the amphitheater was filling. People arrived alone and with friends, with children and with dogs. The sounds of greeting -- meeting new friends and welcoming old friends -- filled the air.
Many were attending their first Adventure Rabbi service, while others had been coming for years.
The guitar music began and over 90 voices filled the amphitheater, welcoming each other, welcoming Shabbat.
The service was festive yet calming. What an inspirational setting! What a joyous group of people!
The sun continued to shine when less than hour later we walked across the parking lot to the Stone Shelter picnic area with our picnic baskets. We spread out our tablecloths and soon the tables were overflowing with mouthwatering treats.
As I walked
from table to table, I overhead bits of conversations:
“Now this is the way to celebrate Shabbat!”
“We should do this every week!”
“Tell me what the Shabbat hikes are like, I’ve been wanting
to go but haven’t yet.”
“I didn’t realize how many different age people came to
Adventure Rabbi programs!”
As dinners were finished and picnics packed away, new friends exchanged numbers and made plans to meet again.
By 8:15 as we walked to our car, it began to rain lightly. By 8:30, with the last banner taken down and packed in the car, the torrential rain, lightening and thunder began. Sunshine for exactly as long as we needed it.
What more could I say but: “Thanks God for holding off on the rain.”
Mazel-tov to Josh Zapin and Marni Stein who were married on July 4 at Peace Park Garden in Boulder. What a gorgeous wedding! Those who came on our June hike were at their Auf-ruf (blessing before the wedding) in the woods. What a treat!
