Shavuot in the Rockies – what can I say? Minyan Na’aleh, an independent minyan in Denver, just held our third annual Shavuot retreat in the mountains. As always, the setting was breathtaking, the davening inspiring, the singing transcendent, the participants laid-back, and the atmosphere inclusive.
This year, because our beloved YMCA lodge was unavailable, we rented out a remote (if you are not driving during the holiday) and self-contained bed and breakfast. This forced us to be more creative than ever with our programming. In addition to the normal holiday fare (davening, learning, singing, and eating), we hired a yoga instructor to come to the lodge, had a family kickball tournament (yes, many of the players played with babies in backpacks on their backs - they were surprisingly good), hosted a wine and cheese reception and even planned an Iron Chef Shavuot-themed vegetable carving contest (which ended up being cut from the schedule because people wanted to linger with their wine and cheese but it is first in line for a slot next year). Best of all, we had three Bronfmanim from different years, Abigail (Heitler) Hirsch ’89, Hannah Kapnik ’04, and myself. Minyan Na’aleh is grateful for the BYFI Venture Fund’s continued support of this program.
Download planning materials from Minyan Na'aleh Shavuoaton.
For more information contact Julie: juliegeller@yahoo.com
Minyan Na'aleh – www.naalehdenver.org - is an independent minyan in Denver. Their annual Shavuoaton in the Colorado Rockies provides opportunities for Jewish learning, meaningful prayer and community building.