We’ll meet and follow the water around the north woods to discuss how Shavuot, the middle of our three pilgrimage festivals, is rooted in nature’s ancient rhythms. We will tell the story of our ancient grain harvests, and how Jewish farmers knew when to plant and when to harvest wheat—we’ll even plant sunflower seeds in the park, and feed songbirds, to continue telling the story of our mid-year rhythms.

What and how we study on Shavuot means many things to many Jews, but at the heart of every harvest story is water. As we explore and listen to the woods, we’ll learn a different way to see and feel water that will remind us of our harvest festivals every year.

We’ll emerge for a picnic lunch at the Great Hill, with music and songs. Please bring your own lunch, there are bathrooms at the great hill. Please contact Matt Check, Interim Education Director, with any questions at MCheck@anschechesed.org.

ABOUT JACOB KOSE

Jacob Kose is a Jewish environmental educator, farmer, and storyteller based near the last old growth New York City forest in Inwood Park. He is the in-house nature and sustainability educator at the Heschel School and former farm manager at Eden Village Camp, with ten years of farming and outdoor education experience teaching preschoolers through adults. He loves to walk around the North Woods with a sense of wonder and people of all ages and backgrounds.