This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on January 28, 2013

Greens launch environmental campaign on Tu B’Shevat

Published on January 25, 2013

Two Jewish groups launched a joint initiative promoting environmentally friendly living on Tu B'Shevat, Jewish arbor day.

Birds of a feather flock together

Published on November 29, 2012

Every winter, hundreds of millions of tourists (some of them no larger than a finger) defy travel warnings to visit the Holy Land. They don’t spend much money in Israel, and some stay for only a few hours. They visit the country’s “pubs” before flying off again.

Einstein, Kaplan and Heschel walk into a bar

By Roger Price
Published on November 1, 2012

The end is nigh. Seriously.

By Marty Kaplan
Published on June 18, 2012

In countless cartoons, there’s a guy in a robe and long beard who’s walking around carrying a sign saying The End Is Nigh. The joke is that he’s ridiculous – some loony who takes the Book of Revelation literally. But what if the joke’s on us?

Finding Judaism in the great outdoors

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on June 3, 2008

Two rabbis are helping Jews find a path to Judaism off the beaten track. Each has written a new guidebook to take along on that hike

Books: Bird-watching and ‘the Jewish question’

By Jonathan Rosen
Published on March 27, 2008

No doubt because I once worked at a Jewish newspaper and have written a novel about a woman rabbi -- not to mention a work of nonfiction called "The Talmud and the Internet" -- I am sometimes asked if my new book about bird-watching, "The Life of the Skies," is a Jewish book.

Take Tu B’Shevat to heart and start healing nature

By Andy Lipkis
Published on January 17, 2008

These are the times for which Tu B'Shevat was created. The rabbis who envisioned this holiday were prophetic: They knew we would need to be reminded on a regular basis about howimportant trees are to our lives. And trees have never been more important to our survival than they are today.

Tzedakah or genetics?  Hebrew University identifies possible ‘generosity gene’

By JewishJournal.com
Published on December 11, 2007

Books: Does a Jew pray in the woods?

By Robert David Jaffee
Published on August 9, 2007

Yet Rabbi Mike Comins, author of "A Wild Faith," wants us to know that Judaism and nature have long been entwined, and that there is nothing paganistic about a Jew, let alone a rabbi, talking to trees.

Partners in Creation

By Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Published on October 19, 2006

Many rabbinic texts detail our long tradition of ecotheology, explicitly supporting the idea that caring for the Earth is a distinctly religious imperative.

I’ll try it!

By Caroline Cobrin
Published on October 5, 2006

The thing about reaching "I'll try it" is that you are daring to imagine that things can work out for the best, and that you can add another activity to the list of common likes.

A Phone Call from our Late Tante Mina

By Caroline Cobrin
Published on August 17, 2006

Mysticism, for my family, and I think for most people as well, usually shows itself through nature.

The Bittersweet Meaning of Mud

By Natalie Katz
Published on August 3, 2006

There is one program in particular that embodies all of the emotionalism and meaning of machon summer: Tza'adah. Tza'adah is a five-day, four-night overnight trip that takes campers far from the boundaries of camp and into the nature of Northern California, where we bond with friends, while experiencing the outdoors.

Power of Vows

By Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Published on July 19, 2006

Our ancestors understood that when we make a vow, promising to give something to God, or take an oath regarding our own actions, this was the highest and most serious endeavor, as the power of speech is what separates us most critically from the animal world. "Baruch She'amar V'hayah Ha'olam, God spoke and the world came into being."

Judaism Finds Its Niche in Great Outdoors

By Rachel Silverman
Published on July 6, 2006

Jewish adventure enthusiasts not only make an effort to do the hobbies they love with other Jews, but they do so looking for religious or spiritual meaning. By combining their dual interests, this growing cadre of adrenaline seekers is building a new definition of what it means to do -- or be -- Jewish.

Finding God Under the Stars

By Amy Klein
Published on February 23, 2006

The fog/smog lies heavy over the San Bernardino mountain range, but with a little imagination, it's still possible to make out Los Angeles -- and Catalina -- in the distance. Likewise, at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet in Running Springs, it's possible to envision the great promise of Camp Gan Israel, Chabad's new sleep-away camp and retreat center, even though the site is still undergoing heavy remodeling.

A Torah Trek to Find a ‘God Moment’

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on February 9, 2006

I've joined 14 adults on a daylong excursion in Malibu Creek State Park led by Rabbi Mike Comins, who runs Torah Trek, Spiritual Wilderness Adventures. Whether it's a one-day exercise for first-timers -- like ours is -- or a multiday meditative adventure, the idea is to spend time studying Torah, reading, thinking, meditating and seeking a "God experience," as Comins calls it. We are now at the ultimate moment of the day, the portion called "hitbodedut," which translates from the Hebrew as "to be alone."

Post-Katrina, Jews Raised Funds Fast

By Larry Luxner
Published on January 26, 2006

Major Jewish organizations have raised more than $30 million to house, feed, educate and relocate thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Even Utopia Has a Price Tag

By Lea Lion
Published on December 29, 2005

Late in the summer of 1987, my parents shipped me off to the Cleveland Jewish Community Center's cleverly named Camp Wise. It was August, the weather was hot, and the little village of wooden cabins with tent flaps for walls was a welcome change from the air-conditioned houses of the city.

Skip Beaten Path for Zipline Adventure

By Jack Weiss
Published on November 17, 2005

Ziplining with the Orthodox. Digging for Maccabean relics with archaeologists. Off-roading on the Golan. We planned our family trip to Israel on the theory that our kids would learn more if they were happy and engaged than if they were bored and bedraggled.

Rough It in Style at El Capitan Canyon

By Judy Gruen
Published on August 18, 2005

As a city woman whose family is unaccustomed to "roughing it," I planned our family vacation to involve a lot of nature but no sleeping on hard ground. That's what made El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara the perfect place for us: It's camping for people who like staying in Hiltons.

A two-hour drive north of Los Angeles, El Capitan Canyon is a former private campground that was transformed five years ago into a plush nature resort on 65 acres heavily populated with oak and sycamore trees. It allows guests to savor a rustic environment, but with down duvets and gourmet coffee for the coffeemaker.

A Hard Rain

By Frances Dinkelspiel
Published on March 31, 2005

Weather has always been an important determinant in Los Angeles' history. The twin effects of floods and drought from 1861-1864 completely finished off whatever remained of the rancho way of life, where dons reigned over thousands of acres of land and huge herds of cattle.

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on January 20, 2005

Fine-print dealers from across the country convene at LACMA this weekend for Los Angeles Print Fair 2005.

Double Celebration

By Jane Ulman
Published on January 20, 2005

Tu b'Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, marks the birthday of the trees.

A Garden Tour of Biblical Proportions

By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Published on January 6, 2005

Majestic fig trees bear their succulent fruit amid enormous leaves. Boughs of olives suggest the impending harvest as their color changes from green to black. Massive citrons emit their magnificent scent.

Campers Hit the Great Outdoors

By Lea Silverman
Published on May 27, 2004

Nestled deep within a Malibu canyon off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Shalom Institute, a Jewish summer camp and nature center, has planted an extensive organic garden on its grounds this year and plans to incorporate the age-old tradition of farming into its summer programs.

A Desert High in Palm Springs

By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Published on March 4, 2004

At the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, there are a host of trails -- including a three-quarters of a mile loop through picturesque Long Valley, just behind the Mountain Station that introduces visitors to regional plants and animals.

For the Kids

By Abby Gilad
Published on September 4, 2003

Last week, we learned not to cut down the fruit trees of our enemies in times of war because, as the Torah says, the trees are "not our enemy."

Happy Trails to You

By Ruth Andrew Ellenson
Published on July 10, 2003

At Ramirez Canyon Park in Malibu, Happy Trails offers an opportunity for city-dwelling kids to interact with nature.

Rocky Mountain Chai

By Lisa Keys
Published on March 20, 2003

Rabbi Mike Comins had just completed his rabbinic thesis, was preparing to start his doctorate and, even though he was writing about God, "I felt like my soul had been choked off," he recalled.

Remember the Good

By Rabbi Ron Shulman
Published on March 13, 2003

Judaism's moral imagination describes that King Ahashuerus was not able to sleep because of all that was going on around him: Esther was involved with planning and preparing her next feast; Haman was busy building gallows; Mordecai was upset, praying and wearing sackcloth.

Go Hug a Tree

By Julie G Fax
Published on February 1, 2001

Living in the asphalt-and-glass tangle of Los Angeles, it is sometimes easy to forget that we live in an area blessed with abundant natural beauty, from our gently folded green-and-gold mountains to our powdery sand, glittering sea and everywhere, the regal trees.

Two Artists at One With Nature

By Michael Aushenker
Published on August 24, 2000

Sculptress Harriet Zeitlin and painter Pat Berger share a lot in common. Friends for many decades, both artists have worked for more than 50 years, have had extensive teaching experience, were active in organizations championing artists' rights in the 1970s, lost their husbands in the 1990s. They even own terriers (Pilot and Dori, respectively).

Right Place, Right Time

By Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben
Published on November 18, 1999

As we watched that dark Australian night, the words of this week's Torah portion came into my head. "Yesh adonai bamakom hazeh, veanohi lo yadati," said Jacob. "God was in this place, and until this vision, I had no idea."