Shabbat Hikes

On Shabbat Why Don't We Take A Hike?

This fall Shomrei Adamah is launching "Shabbat Hikes", an exciting new venture to explore our natural surroundings together. Once a month at 2pm on Saturday you are invited to join us as we schmooze and cruise our local wildlife in the spirit of Shabbat. Just show up at the meeting point. Contact the hike leader for questions or cancellations due to inclement weather.

Upcoming Shabbat Hikes:

Date: September 17, 2011
Leader: Beth Shulman BethJS@yahoo.com
Hike: Wellesley Acqueduct
Meeting: 11 Mary Chilton Rd, 2pm
Professional Staff: Allison Gutman

Date: October 15, 2011
Hike: Cutler park, 110 Kendrick Street Needham Heights
Meeting: Parking lot, 2pm
Leaders: Michael and Julie Bailit 781-608-5284

Date: November 19, 2011
Hike: Wilson Hill Reservation
Meeting: Parking lot on 135/Dedham Ave near Northeastern property, Time: 2pm
Clergy: Rabbi Todd
Leader: Marlene Schultz marlene_schultz@verizon.net.
For questions day of hike, call 617-513-3076

Date: December 17, 2011
Hike: Noanet Woodland: Cary Loop Trail 1.6 miles www.thetrustees.org/places-tovisit/greater-boston/noanet-woodlands.html
Meeting:Caryl Park at the parking lot near the ranger station, 2 pm
Leader: Mark Rosen
For questions day of hike, call 781-820-6450.

Date: January 21, 2012
Hike: An Urban Hike along the Route of Boston Eru (www.bostoneruv.org).  Total distance 2.8 miles (1.4 miles each way).
Meeting: Oak Street and Needham Street/Highland Avenue at Chipotle's Restaurant (300 Needham Street, Newton) at 2 pm.  Park in the parking lot.
Other Information: To read about the uses of an Eruv, see http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/eruv.html. The Boston Eruv is one of the largest Eruvim in the United States. It covers major parts of Brookline, Newton, and Brighton. We will walk along the edge of the Eruv and discuss why an Eruv would be needed, as well as explore the tradition of Sabbath observance historically and in our own times.
Leader: Daniel Barkowitz
Clergy: Rabbi Jay
For questions day of hike, call 781-441-9798.

Date: February 18, 2012
Hike: Town Forest (1 to 1.5 hours; dogs and children are welcome)
Meeting: Claxton Field parking lot at 2 pm.
Leader: Adam May, Cell 781-492-5754 or jkmay1962@verizon.net

Date: March 10, 2012
Hike: Cutler Park Reservation Family Hike
Meeting: Parking Lot on Kendrick St. at 2 pm
Leaders: Gabe Fried gabriel.fried@gmail.com and Children's Center Director Ellen Dietrick edietrick@tbsneedham.org
Other Information: This hike is especially geared towards families with children ages 10 and under although all are welcome. The seven hundred acres known as Cutler Park comprise the largest remaining fresh water marsh on the middle Charles. Located in Needham and Dedham, the marsh and small lake attract over 100 species of birds which make Cutler Park a prime spot for nature study.

Date: April 14, 2012
Hike: Wellesley Trails Brook Path
Meeting: Parking area at Wellesley High Athletic field on Smith Street
Leader: Lois Sockol lsockol@comcast.net, 781-864-2393

Other Infromation: Brook Path is a pleasant walk on level and partially paved paths for 2miles. It runs along Fuller Brook, past the Hunnewell School, to the Nehoiden Golf Course at which point the hike will loop back. 

Date: May 19, 2012
Hike: Aboritum
Meeting: Hunnewell Visitor's Center, 2 pm
Leaders: Igor Tepermeister & Diane Levy,617-322-0434,  itdfl@comcast.net
Other info: We will do a photo scavenger hunt. http://arboretum.harvard.edu/visit/self-guided-tours

Everyone should allow ample time for parking and walking up to the visitor's center, especially as it is a Saturday and there will be many people there.http://arboretum.harvard.edu/visit/directions

Date: June 16, 2012
Hike: Ridge Hill, Esker Trail and New Northern Loop, 2pm
Meeting: Main Parking Lot near the Mansion
Leader: Jane Evans, cell 781-254-4508
Other Information: 2 Mile hike on uneven terrain but very little elevation

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who's Invited?: All ages are welcome
What if the weather is iffy?: Contact the hike leader
Do I need hiking experience?: Most hikes will be leisurely strolls. If there are special considerations those will be noted.
What should I bring?: Please bring comfortable clothing weather dependant, a water bottle and a small snack.
What if someone has a minor injury during the hike?: The hike leader will carry a first aid kit and a cellular phone.
What can I expect?: Most experiences will be hikes but on occasion there may be other nature experiences ie: canoeing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, horseback riding etc.
Will there be a cost?: Most hikes are free. Special nature experiences may have a cost.
What if I want to lead a hike?: Great! We'd love to have you. Please contact BethJS@yahoo.com. If you'd like to lead a hike but don't have a location in mind then we have lots of suggestions. No prior hike leadership experience needed, Just a desire to share nature with the TBS community. The Hike leader picks the hike location, will be the contact if things change, will keep a log of who attends, will lead the hike and carry the first aid kit. Not a big committment but will be lots of fun.
Will the clergy or leadership participate?: Most hikes will be pared with TBS clergy or leadership who will assist with spiritually connecting the experience to Judaisium.