Adventure Rabbi -- 2013-2014 Alternative Adventure Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah training boulder denver colorado

If you are looking for the schedule for 2012-2013,
we've moved it to another page>>

Interested in a non-traditional, outdoor, adventure based program that will infuse your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience with meaning?

How does it work?
The class meets with Rabbi Korngold and Jeff Finkelstein approximately 15 times from August to May, with four special classes being co-led by Rabbi Evon Yakar.

Some classes are outside while other workshops will be held at Adventure Rabbi Headquarters in South Boulder. The students also meet once a month via Skype with Rabbi Evon, to check in on their progress and to be sure they are getting the most out of the program.

Meanwhile, Bar and Bat Mitzvah students study individually once a week with a Hebrew tutor of your choosing to learn the Bar and Bat Mitzvah prayers and Torah portion. (We have a tutor in Denver and one in Boulder who work with most of our students. Hebrew via Skype is also available.)

Hebrew studies and writing of the D'var Shana (speech) are supervised by Rabbi Evon Yakar during the monthly Skype meetings usually lasting 15 minutes, although when the speech writing process begins, meetings are 30-60 minutes.

The bar and bat mitzvah students are responsible for two homework assignments each month. One is a journal entry, reflecting on and reviewing the class meeting that month. The second is a Shabbat Log. The students celebrate Shabbat in a creative way once a month and write about their experience. These two assignments are emailed to Rabbi Korngold and Rabbi Yakar monthly. This also ensures that the Rabbis have an ongoing conversation with each student, which helps build a personal relationship with each student.

Philosophy:
Maybe you have heard the joke about the Bar Mitzvah boy who announces during his Bar Mitzvah speech, "Today I am a man, tomorrow I go back to 8th grade."

We've often wondered what leading a Shabbat morning service has to do with becoming a man. Admittedly, centuries ago when Bar Mitzvah was created, leading a service was a task that a boy took on at age 13. But today, is that really the best we can do to prepare a boy to be a man and a girl to be a woman?

Our program uses Judaism and nature to teach Bar and Bat Mitzvah students the skills they need to be content, compassionate, confident, and responsible teenagers.

Admittedly, we push general Judaic learning less than other programs. But we believe if our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students come away loving Judaism and understanding why Judaism is relevant to their lives, they will be inspired to keep learning Jewishly for many years.

We address topics kids should learn in life and teach them through a Jewish lens.

Our Bat or Bar Mitzvah students do not just learn the Kiddush, the Kaddish and how to read Torah.

Our Bar or Bat Mitzvah students will also learn how to change a tire, change a diaper,avoid trouble on Facebook, make a matzah ball and bake challah.

Our Bar or Bat Mitzvah students will learn to look out for others while climbing a peak and to take responsibility for their own actions while snowshoeing or hiking under the full moon.

Our Bar or Bat Mitzvah students will even learn how to write a polite email and why that is important.
(And our bar and bat mitzvah students will come to understand what each of these tasks have to do with being Jewish.)

We talk about the daunting choices that our Bat and Bar Mitzvah students will face in the turbulent teenage years ahead. Many of these choices may seem innocuous to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids, but in actuality their decisions can drastically effect their lives.

We will talk to our Bat and Bar Mitzvah students about making good choices and giving those choices a voice. We will use Jewish wisdom to teach about body image, Facebook, and friendship. We will explore responsibility toward self, family and community. (Think of it like mensch training.)

THIS IS THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 2013-2014. FINAL SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED IN AUGUST
(last updated April 2013)
If you are looking for the schedule for 2012-2013, we've moved it to another page>>

August 24, 2013 (Saturday) 1:00-3:30 pm
What: Hike for students and their parents
Topic: An introduction to the program
Where: Chautauqua Park, Boulder, CO
Pack: Water, pen to take notes

DETAILS:
Parents and students meet on the southwest corner of the Great Lawn at Chautauqua, under the tree by the picnic table. (Just east of side of the Chautauqua Park Ranger’s cottage.) We start and end classes promptly, so please be on time. As you know, parking at Chautauqua is difficult. Give yourself 15 minutes to find parking.
Come prepared to hike 1.4 miles, half up hill, half downhill.

Parents who are not in good enough shape to hike should not take this on as a personal challenge. Please discuss options with Rabbi Korngold.

Parents and students will not be hiking together so you each need your own water!

Packing List
- backpack big enough to hold the following plus the three ring binder you will receive
-snack
- water
- good hiking boots/shoes
- sunhat
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- small notebook and pen to write a few notes
- if you ever use an inhaler for breathing issues, please bring it

Depending on the weather, you may not need these, but check the weather. Besides, they are important to have in an emergency:
- warm hat and gloves
- fleece sweatshirt
- rain pants
- rain jacket (always good to have just in case!)
- small flashlight

August 25, 2013 (Sunday) 7:45 a.m. - 4 or 5 p.m.

What: Climb 10,013' Deer Mountain
Topic: Being Part of a Group: Challenges, Rewards and Responsibilities.

Introduction to Journal - working toward our Bar or Bat Mitzvah speeches (topic continues throughout course)
Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah - What Does It Mean?
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

DETAILS:

Parents will be helping carpool to Rocky Mountain National Park. Pick up spots will be our office 5353 Manhattan Circle and Lucky’s Market North Boulder
• 7:45 Pick-up #1 meet at 5353 Manhattan Circle Suite #103 Boulder CO 80303
• 8:00 Cars leaves from Manhattan Circle (If you miss us, please meet us at Lucky's!)
• 8:00 Pick-up #2 meet at Lucky’s Market 3960 Broadway St. Boulder, CO 80304-1104
• 8:15 Cars leaves from Lucky Market (If you miss us, please meet us in RMNP!)
We will need drivers and would love if 2 parents, who are strong hikers, could join us for this hike. Please let Rabbi Jamie know if you can.

Return: We will return between 4 and 5 p.m. We will pass around a cell phone for students to call you when we get back into cell range in Lyons, about 20 minutes before we reach north Boulder. Pick up your kids at the same place you dropped them off, Lucky's in North Boulder and at our office in south Boulder.

Packing List
- backpack
- camelback or other bladder you can put in your backpack so you don't have to stop hiking to drink, filled with 2 liters of water
- lunch
- hiking snacks (you might also want to pack a separate snack and juice box for the ride home)
- good hiking boots/shoes
- sun hat & sunglasses
- sunscreen
- if you ever use an inhaler for breathing issues, please bring it
- (optional) camera
- (optional) flower/tree/bird guides

Hopefully these will stay unused in your pack but they are important to have in an emergency:
- warm hat and gloves
- fleece sweatshirt
- rain pants
- rain jacket
- small flashlight

Wear this:
-hiking shoes
-non-cotton socks (I prefer to wear a liner sock beneath my hiking socks. The combination prevents blisters because the socks rub against each other rather than your skin. The friction is what causes a blister.)
-shorts
-T-shirt (I prefer non-cotton one with SPF sun protection as I burn easily)

Please leave behind:
-all electronics other than camera
- Bar and Bat Mitzvah students can bring a cellphone, but can only use it for photos and to call home when we are heading home.

September 4-5, 2013 (Wed -Thurs) Rosh Hashanah Camping in Ward
Wed 5 p.m. - Thurs. at 12 noon
Students will be introduced to the larger Adventure Rabbi community and blessed by the entire community. This is not a drop-off event. Parents, please plan on joining your bat or bar mitzvah student.
Fees for bar and bat mitzvah students and 1 adult included in tuition. Pay only for meals.
For details of this event, please visit>>

September 13, 2013 (Friday) Kol Nidre 6:30 -9 p.m.
Millennium House, Boulder
Attending Kol Nidre will truly enhance your entire family’s Jewish experience.
For details of this event,please visit>>

September 14, 2013 (Saturday)Yom Kippur 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Chautauqua Community House, Boulder. Service from 4:30-5:15 is for pre-teens and teens. The hike from 5:30-6:30 is open to everyone. Fees for student included in tuition.
For details of this event,please visit>>

October 20, 2013 (Sunday) 9 - 11 a.m.
Theology and Life Skills
Change a Tire, Change a Diaper, Write an Email, and oh, What is God?
What: Indoor and Outdoor Workshop
Topic:Theology and Life Skill Workshop
This week we discuss God concepts and then learn to change a tire, change a diaper, jump-start a car, write a polite email and create holy relationships.
1)Holiness. Finding God in relationships. What does it mean to be holy? Blogging, Lying, Gossip, Friendship, Kiddish, Kaddish, Holy time, Havdallah.
2) Can God help you fix a flat tire? Can prayer? Taking Responsibility for yourself in life.
Where: Adventure Rabbi Headquarters, 5353 Manhattan Circle, Suite 103, Boulder, CO 80303.

November 1 , 2013 (Friday) 5:30 p.m.
What: Shabbat Service and Indoor Picnic Dinner with Adventure Rabbi Kids (our atlernative relgious school.) Led by Rabbi Evon Yakar and Rabbi Korngold. Parents and sinblings welcome.
When: 5:30 pm
Where: Bear Creek Elementary School
Bring: Dinner

November 18 , 2013 (Monday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
What: Moonlit Hike
Topic: Dress warmly and put Yaktrax on your hiking boots! Discussion about Judaism and the moon.
Where: Ranger's Cottage, Chautauqua Park, Boulder, CO

December 3 , 2013(Tuesday) 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
What: Chanukah Celebration with Dinner and Discussion for students, siblings and parents with Adventure Rabbi Kids (our alternative religious school) Led by Rabbi Evon Yakar and Rabbi Korngold.
Topic: Chanukah: What is the holiday truly about?
Where: Bear Creek Elementary School
Bring: Dinner, chanukiah (menorah)

January 22, 2014 (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
What: Service Planning Session for students and parents
Topic: We will walk through the entire Bar or Bat Mitzvah Service to explain the flow of the service, how to assign parts, set up the room and prepare for the ceremony.
Where: Adventure Rabbi Headquarters, 5353 Manhattan Circle, Suite 103, Boulder, CO 80303.
Bring: Student's Binder
Note: Please feed your kids dinner before the class

Feb 13, 2014 (Thursday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
What: Indoor Workshop
Topic: Iron Chef Shabbat Make a Matzah Ball, Bake a Challah
Where: Rabbi's home

March 15, 2014 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
What: Spiritual adventure on Snowshoes (snowshoe rental not included)
Topic: What does Judaism teach about our responsibility toward the Earth? Discussion about the art of "less."
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park
Parent Drivers needed for this program.

April 12-14, 2014 (Saturday Night -Monday)
Seder Moab Utah
We "get it" that many people can't take off work/school on a Monday to come to Moab Utah for our seder so if you know you can't come, save this for one of your two allowed absences. It really is the coolest Seder on the planet and most of the kids come so do try to make it work if you can! We don't want your family to miss out. Fees for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student and 1 adult included in tuition. Led by Rabbi Evon Yakar and Rabbi Korngold. Read more and register other participants here>>

April 23, 2014 (Wednesday) 4 – 6pm (Snow/ rain date April 24, 2014)
What: Community Service, clean-up of Central Park downtown Boulder
Topic: As bar and bat mitzvah it is incumbent upon us to take on more responsibility for the larger community. Today, we contribute by helping clean up one of the best used parks in Boulder.
Where: Meet Mustard's Last Stand (Parking Lot), Broadway & Arapahoe, Boulder
Optional: Parents and siblings join us for dinner at Mustard's Last Stand at 6:00 pm.

TENT May 4, 2014 (Sunday) 9 - 12 noon (May be moved to Saturday May 10, 2014)
What: Hike in Boulder
Topic: Bringing it all together. What have we learned? Who have we become? Where to from here?
Where: Shanahan Ridge Boulder, CO

Requirements:
This is the Adventure Rabbi Program, not the Slacker Rabbi Program. Bar and Bat Mitzvah students must be in reasonable physical shape to participate in this group. You do not have to be an incredible athlete, but you shouldn't be a coach potato who hates hiking.

Bar and Bat mitzvah students must meet these requirements to be accepted to this program:

Gear:
Bar and Bat Mitzvah students will need certain basic outdoor gear for this class including: good hiking boots (Really! They need hiking boots!), large day pack, rain gear, warm layers, water bladder such as Platypus or Camelback to go inside backpack, Yaktrax, snowshoes (may be rented) and ski poles, hiking poles (optional).

Program details:

1. Hebrew:
What Hebrew prayers will the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student learn?
Our emphasis is on prayers we think every Jew should know for general Jewish living. Among other prayers such as Barchu, Shema and V'ahavtah, you will learn the full Friday night Kiddush, Kaddish (seldom taught to Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids but probably the most widely needed Jewish prayer). Students should be prepared for a serious year of Hebrew study and able to commit time to this aspect of the program. Most students meet with their tutor once a week for a year. We recommend that students who have no Hebrew background start with a tutor as soon as possible, ideally two years before their ceremony. This will make their work load more manageable and less intense. View videos of the prayers here>>

How about Torah?
Most of our students chant or read 6 verses of Torah. But students with severe learning limitations have read as little as three and very skilled readers have read as many as 21 verses. We ask for equal effort, not equal product, so some read more and others less. You will be reading from our backpacking Torah.

What are the Hebrew requirements to get into the program?
Many of our students have no Hebrew background while others have been attending Jewish Day School for years. Either way, because the Hebrew portion is taught individually, we can make it work and we will create a program that is appropriately challenging.

How will the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student learn their Hebrew?
Each student works with a private Hebrew tutor. Fees for this are not including in the basic program fee. Most students meet with their tutor once a week for a year. Occasionally students require 2 times a week, and others only occasional meetings. In the Boulder area, fees are generally $35-$55 an hour. Outside of Boulder they are typically $50 - $85 an hour.

How do we find a tutor?
We have tutors in Denver and Boulder who we recommend. Working with our tutors insures that your students will fulfill all the requirements in a timely manner.

2. Projects
Journal: Bar and Bat Mitzvah students will track their learning in journals and email the journals to the rabbi. At the end of the course, these journals will become the seeds that blossom into the speeches the students give at their Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, explaining the connections between their learning, Judaism and nature.

Shabbat: My not so secret agenda is to introduce the Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and their families to Shabbat as meaningful part of life. Our lives are so frenetic! One of the greatest gifts Judaism has given us is the mandate to take a day off every week. I hope that when the bat and bar mitzvah are in college and are overwhelmed with life, they will look back at this year and think, "Oh Shabbat. Maybe that can help." To that end, my goal is to introduce them to a Shabbat practice that fits into their lifestyle and can enhance their lives.

Each month for ten months the student will pick some type of Shabbat observance to try out. They can be traditional activities like lighting candles, baking challah or going to synagogue but might also be non-traditional activities like going skiing with your family but not complaining, eating ice cream for breakfast, or making dinner for you family. After five months, the students pick one Shabbat observance that worked for them and repeats it for five months. These experience are written up monthly and email to the rabbis an discussed with Rabbi Evon during the monthly Skype sessions.

3. Monthly Skype:
The students meet once a month via Skype with Rabbi Evon, to check in on their progress, write their speeches and to be sure they are getting the most out of the program. These monthly Skype meetings usually last 15 minutes, although when the speech writing process begins, meetings are 30-60 minutes.

The rabbi will bring the backpacking Torah and prayerbooks to the ceremony site of your choosing. When you are ready to plan the ceremony, we have great resources posted such as:

Who officiates at the ceremony?
Rabbi Korngold generally officiates at ceremonies for the Adventure Class in Boulder and Rabbi Yakar tends to officiate at ceremonies that are in Lake Tahoe (where he lives) or out of state. Check with us to see who is available on the date you prefer.

How will we plan it?
A month or two before the ceremony your family will have two meetings with Rabbi Korngold or Rabbi Yakar to plan and rehearse the ceremony.

Do we get to personalize the ceremony?
Yes! We can include as many of your guests as you would like. You can even write your own prayer books, although most families opt to use our copies of Gates of Prayer.

Where are the ceremonies?
You can pick your own venue, although we appreciate low key venues that take the emphasis away from conscious consumption rather than fancy hotels

Small ceremonies often take place as part of a morning hike, while larger ceremonies are generally held in locations where everyone can sit in chairs in order to minimize the impact of large groups on the wilderness.

A favorite outdoor location is the J aycee or Wood Shelter on Flagstaff Mountain above Boulder. This is also great if you want to start with a short, easy hike.

A fabulous indoor venue is the Community House in Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado. This is great if you want to do a short hike before the service and you can have a lovely party afterwards, using their in-house caterer.

The Star House is a unique, lovely venue for the more spiritually minded. Another favorite indoor location, which can hold larger groups than the Community House and can still accommodate a party afterwards, is the CUCC church on Table Mesa. We frequently use this venue for our Friday night Shabbat services. Less good for hikes, but its possible! A new venue on our list is the Boulder Integral Center. Also not good for hikes but a lovely venue.

Can the Torah go outside? Because we use a paper Torah rather than a kosher parchment Torah (which might be damaged by the elements) our ceremonies can take place in any location, as accessible or adventurous as your family chooses.

What about having the Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony outside of Colorado or up in the Mountains?
We are happy to send one of our rabbis to officiate at ceremonies outside of Boulder. Obviously it costs a bit more, because it takes more of the Rabbi's time. You can review the pricing schedule here>>

Destination Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvahs>>

Other Commonly Asked Questions:
We have family members who can't hike, but we know a Bar or Bat Mitzvah that includes hiking with the Adventure Rabbi is an amazing and unique experience. Is there any way we can incorporate a little hiking?
We suggest adding a hiking Friday night service led by Rabbi Jamie Korngold and her guitar. That way even if your Saturday service can't be on the trail because not everyone is physically capable of hiking, at least a subset of the group can enjoy that amazing experience on Friday night. We have found that the cohesive feeling created in the smaller group rapidly spreads to the entire group.

Can we also add a short hiking piece on Saturday?
If you have the service on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain (Boulder, CO) we can add a little hiking at beginning of the service that is very accessible. Those who can't walk or be pushed in wheelchair, can drive to the site and they will not miss too much.

How will the rest of our family get to know Rabbi Korngold?
We strongly encourage your family to participate in Adventure Rabbi events throughout the year so that you can all build a relationship with Rabbi Korngold and our larger community. You will meet an amazing group of people, eager to find a meaningful way to experience their Judaism.

In order to facilitate this we will give your Bar or Bat Mitzvah student a free membership to the Adventure Rabbi Program.

We also recommend reading Rabbi Korngold's books to get a sense of who she is and how she works.

After reading through this information, if you feel an Adventure Rabbi Bar and Bat mitzvah will be a good fit for your family, please either:

OPTION 1:
Individual Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program
Option for Distance Learning and Destination Ceremonies
(10 months, you pick the start date)
More info click here>>
Ready to register and sign click here>>

OPTION 2:
Adventure Bar and Bat Mitzvah Class, Boulder, Colorado
(10 months, August - May)
On this page, read above

Ready to register and sign click here >>

OPTION 3:
Bar and Bat Yisrael, a less intensive coming of age program without Hebrew
Option for Distance Learning
(12 weeks)
More info click here >>
Ready to register and sign click here >>

OPTION 4:
Israel Bar or Bat Mitzvah Ceremony
>Adventure Rabbi bar or bat mitzvah training with Rabbi Evon Yakar during monthly Skype meetings or as part of the Adventure Class
>Individual Hebrew tutoring with your own tutor
>Unforgettable unique bar or bat mitzvah ceremony in Israel. Locations include the Robinson Arch at the Western Wall, the Ancient Synagogue in Ein Gedi and atop Masada
More info click here>>


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