Kallah Goes Camping

by Renee Feinberg
and Sheryl Harawitz

The special camping option of Kallah 2001 intrigued us. We were New York City women and considered the invitation to camp in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Colorado and see black bear, elk, eagles and hawks among the aspen groves to be an invitation we couldn't pass up. We were not daunted by the equipment list which called for sleeping bags, tents, lanterns, daypacks, insect repellant and multiple water bottles; nor were we phased by the possibility of shared meal preparation and cleanup. But, as novices we were not skilled at parsing the phrase "flush toilets and showers are located nearby."

We signed on along with Jimm White from Michigan. Our trip coordinators were Rabbi Mike Comins (Montana) and Judy Brantz (Colorado). Both were experienced trail blazers and corralers of adults who were hiking at 9300 feet to explore the interchange between nature and revelation and engage in study, prayer and spiritual exercise.

Mike and Judy met us at the airport and bus terminal. We set out, the five of us, in two station wagons, with camping gear piled high and cell phones at the ready. We arrived at Mueller State Park, checked in with the rangers, discussed the dryness of the park, and located our three camp sites.

We displayed varying degrees of expertise in pitching our tents but did our best knowing that there was a tent tradition in our genes. Judy set us right as to flaps, elastic laced poles, tent stakes, and with growing confidence, we launched our tents to accommodate the scrumptious views of mountains and sky.

Our first night's meal saw Mike energetically involved in starting the campfire. We gathered round the fire, waited for the embers to cook our fish and sang out our brachot. We grew quiet as we were soothed by the altitude, the food and wine, the glowing fire and the starry sky.

Each day we hiked about three miles. We picnicked on cheese and tomato or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Our spiritual exercises included silent meditative walks and text study. We considered Abraham Joshua Heschel's observation,

A scientific theory, once it is announced and accepted, does not have to be repeated twice a day. The insights of wonder must be constantly kept alive. Since there is a need for daily wonder, there is a need for daily worship (God in Search of Man).

We asked whether "Why are you here?" (Kings I:19) could be read as "What is here for you?" Textual discussion about Torah gave way to looking at the Colorado mountains, the feeling of clean air on our skin, and watching cloud movements as the sky darkened with the approaching afternoon rain.

We were fully engaged in the mix of nature and exercise, both physical and spiritual, high in the Colorado mountains surrounded by aspen grooves. The pre-Kallah camping experience was an energizing experience which we thoroughly enjoyed and found ourselves to be rested and ready for further study in Kallah.