 |
 |
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Latest TorahTrek Update The times they are a changin’. You haven’t heard from me in awhile, but I am busier than ever. My new book is quickly becoming a best-seller. Making Prayer Real is already in its second printing and just got picked up by Costco, of all retailers! And things are developing rapidly with TorahTrek as well. TorahTrek Goes Not-For-Profit TorahTrek is about to become TorahTrek-The Center for Jewish Wilderness Spirituality (or as we like to call it, “IJeWS”; more at www.IJWS-online.org). As you read in a previous update (June 2009), I decided to devote myself to leadership training and passing the torch to a new generation of wilderness guides. That dream is becoming a reality. Next month, 11 students will begin the year-long TT-IJWS Advanced Leadership Training Program (ALTP). To make that possible, TorahTrek is morphing into a not-for-profit. Our initial fundraising has gone well, and I am pleased to announce that Rabbi Steve Booth-Nadav has joined me as Executive Director of the new TorahTrek. We have two other programs in the works—to expose the power of wilderness for Jewish education to rabbinical, cantorial and education students at Jewish seminaries, such as HUC, AJU, RRC and JTS*, and to create an internet presence to promote and develop the field of Jewish Wilderness Spirituality. No Wilderness Retreats for the Public? Unfortunately, this is true. For now. I have not offered the usual TorahTrek retreats this summer, as I am concentrating on the ALTP and developing a Distance Learning program based on the new book (see www.MakingPrayerReal.com). However, things are poised to change. Together with Rabbi Booth-Nadav, I am planning a variety of weekend and week-long programs, and a year-long, three-retreat “deep immersion” in wilderness program for all-comers, starting in 2011. Eleven potential Jewish wilderness guides will complete their studies in the ALTP over the coming year, and I am confident that some will choose to join me in guiding TorahTrek programs. So you can look forward to a growing number of TorahTrek programs, and a stronger community of Jewish Wilderness Spirituality practitioners, in the coming years! Feel free to drop me a line if you are interested in any of the above activities. Wishing you well in wilderness. * For those unfamiliar with these acronyms, this refers to Hebrew Union College, American Jewish University, Reconstructionist Rabbinnical College, and Jewish Theological Seminary, the leading institutions training Jewish clergy and educators.
(October, 2009) Dear Friend, I am excited to tell you that I have just sent the revised manuscirpt for my new book, Making Prayer Real, on to the publisher. We are on schedule for an earlier than expected February release (I know, it says November on Amazon. Go figure.) Leadership Council Many of you responded to my invitation in the last update to join the new Jewish Wilderness Spirituality Leadership Council. We will be organizing and holding our first meetings, by conference call, in the coming weeks. If you would like to join and haven't contacted me in the past, you are invited to do so now. Write me at leadership@torahtrek.com. Part of the agenda will be to discuss and advise in the planning of TorahTrek's upcoming events. One Year Leadership Training Program Over the course of three retreats, the last one a solo wilderness retreat (Vision Quest), we will deepen our connection with God and God's creation through Jewish practice and deep immersion in the natural world. We are in the planning stages, but can say the following. The first gathering will be in the context of the Ruach Ha'aretz Summer Retreat outside of Santa Cruz, CA, August 2-8. The second will be in a desert location during the winter. We will consult with participants in setting the location and time. The solo-wildernessl retreat will take place in Summer, 2011 in the Western U.S. We will do our best to keep costs down, and we are seeking donors for a scholarship fund. Joshua Tree Retreat We will car camp, hike, pray, study and make music together in the southern (warmer) area of the Park. If you prefer, motel accomodations are about 30 miles away. As we will camp and self-cater, we expect costs to be low. Details will be available in about a month. Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions. Wishing you a sweet new year, Rabbi Mike Comins * * * * * (June, 2009) New from TorahTrek and Rabbi Mike Comins!
Dear Friend, Since I am feverishly writing a new book for Jewish Lights (see below) and preparing for my new “Body and Heart” spirituality workshop in the Los Angeles area, not to mention the economy, (OK, let's mention the economy,) there will be no TorahTrek multi-day retreats this summer, with one wonderful exception: the TorahTrek hiking retreat at the Aleph Kallah in Columbus, Ohio, June 29– July 5. Click here for information. It’s not too late to register! What’s in store for 2010? As I am branch out into new areas in my working life, I am currently in the process of re-envisioning TorahTrek. I am focusing on what matters to me most: pushing the envelope of Jewish spiritual practice in wilderness, and supporting a new generation of Jewish spiritual wilderness leaders. My intention is to transform TorahTrek into a vital community of practitioners and leaders who wish to cultivate Jewish spiritual practice in the natural world--for themselves and for the Jewish community. I hope to see TorahTrek transition from a business to a fellowship. To that end, look for the following in 2010.
Would you like to help? I am inviting your wisdom and leadership in creating a community dedicated to Jewish wilderness spirituality. If you would like to join the Jewish Wilderness Spirituality Leadership Council, an informal group that will work with me to establish this new cooperative community, please send me an email at leadership@torahtrek.com. Wishing you a wonderful summer in wilderness! Be well, Rabbi Mike Comins P.S. The book is titled, “Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on the Difficulty of Prayer and What To Do About It (Jewish Lights Publishing).” More in future updates.
|
