B'nai Enumah's Venture into the Wilderness

Thirty campers from Congregation B’nai Emunah – including nine children under the age of 10, and three teens – ventured into the wilderness for the long-awaited B’Midbar camping Shabbaton May 23-25 at Huddart Park in San Mateo County.

The weekend began Friday night as everyone gathered for a sumptuous communal meal of make-it-yourself burritos, huddling together in the cold night air. The next morning, Rabbi Mark led a creative Shabbat service, tying together B'Midbar (“Into the Wilderness”) and our opportunity to pray in the out-of-doors, as well as leading us in exploring various groupings: individuals, families, tribes. The children later remarked that this was a highlight of the weekend! An informal lunch was followed by a hike, which was eagerly anticipated as a way of fighting the cold (despite the daylight hours, the temperature never rose above the 50s). (Story continues below)
                                            

The kids built a teepee and hunted for banana slugs. The quiet afternoon hours were whiled away by the ingenious teens, who constructed a rope swing from a very tall redwood. The kids each took turns and even the President and Rabbi had a swing! (Story continues below)
                                                        

Because of high fire danger, campfires were not allowed, so folks gathered around the barbeque as Elizabeth Halperin whipped up salmon. The dinner was heavenly: salmon, corn on the cob, potato salad, green salad, watermelon...and of course, s'mores. Everyone headed for their tents and warmth for the night and awoke to a slightly warmer day on Sunday, with bagels and cream cheese for breakfast! At the closing circle, each camper spoke glowingly of the weekend, despite the cold, and wondered when the next camping Shabbaton would be.