Wilderness Torah

Introducing Your Trip Leaders for Young Adult Neshama Quest!
Eli Klarman is a community organizer, culture builder, youth educator, and facilitator of men’s work. Eli grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and spent most of his summers in the Blue Ridge mountains where he was introduced to his relationship with nature and the wild. After graduating from college Eli moved to New Orleans, LA where he founded the city’s only climbing gym, which he led for 6 years before transitioning into a support role which he still holds. Since that time he has been working in youth education, guiding Civil Rights trips in the deep South, and as a facilitator of men’s work in the California Bay Area, where he currently lives.

Eli is passionate about fostering connection and relationships, and believes strongly in the role of nature and wild spaces as a teacher in these efforts. He enjoys supporting others in deepening their relationships to self, place, and community through ritual, song, and food.

Caledonia Krieger grew up in San Rafael, CA and has always felt her Jewish identity to be tied to community and the Earth. She has been involved with Wilderness Torah since 2014 and has been on 4 Neshama Quests as a participant and 1 as a mentor. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in geophysics. Caledonia loves sharing her love of the outdoors with others, especially in her home of Marin County. In her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, baking, and reading (preferably with her cat on her lap).

These two are ready to bring you the trip of a lifetime this summer!

A few spaces are still open to join us.

For questions email us [email protected] OR visit wildernesstorah.org/youngadultneshama for all the program details.

We'll see you in the mountains!

B’naiture is Wildernes Torah's Youth Program for Grades 6-8.

It is a 2-year program for middle schooler supporting the transition from childhood to adolescence through mentorship, deep nature connection and Jewish wisdom. Youth can enter in 6th or 7th grade.

The program brings exciting outdoor challenges, Torah teachings, and a space to build deep friendships with peers.

Along the way, youth will gain insights about life, relationships, and Jewish identity, while developing a deep connection with the local ecology.

Throughout the season on 6 Wednesdays, B’naiture cohorts gather in parks and backyards in the East Bay after school. There are also three camping trips, and one final rite-of-passage ceremony after the two years.

Parents are included in the experience, with scheduled check-ins and special programming to support the whole family through this rich and dynamic transitional time.

Door are now open for enrollment, but this is a popular program and may fill up fast!

Learn more at our website: wildenresstorah.org/bnaiture
email us for questions: [email protected]

B’hootz is Wilderness Torah's Youth Program for Kindergarten through Grade 5.

In this track for elementary school children, we integrate caring mentorship and nature-based exploration with Jewish spirituality, tradition, and wisdom.

Small groups are led by passionate mentors who create experiences that guide children through the nature-based rhythm of the Hebrew calendar.

Youth spend time in the woods while learning Jewish prayers, holidays, and experiencing fun hands-on activities.

B’hootz will meet in local parks in the East Bay on 12 Sundays throughout the school year, which includes an opening camping trip for all participants and their families.

Do you know a family who would be interested? Please send them our way!

Visit our website at wildernesstorah.org/bhootz
or email [email protected] for any questions

We’re heading back into the hills for another hike together in community!

May 17 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am PDT
Huddat Park

These Avodat Lev hikes are part adventure, part heart-opening, part “wow, look at that view!.”

Avodat Lev means service of the heart, and this walk is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeper, and notice what’s alive around and within us.

Expect good company, open sky, winding trails, and moments of reflection tucked between footsteps.

You can come solo, with a friend, with a partner, with kids, with anyone who loves being outside.

Just bring your walking shoes and a little curiosity. We hope to see this this weekend in Huddat Park.

It's free to join, but please register: https://adamah.org/event/avodat-lev-hike-palo-alto/