Introducing Summer Shabbat Walks!

Please join us every third Saturday this summer for Shabbat afternoon walks - a traditional and delightful way to enjoy Shabbat in nature. Every third Saturday in June, July, and August, we will gather at 2 p.m. at a nearby forest preserve and walk about two miles on trails. Walks will be led by temple member/former Chicago Tribune outdoors columnist Barbara Brotman, with a special kickoff guest on June 17. 

Kids are welcome, but keep in mind that some trails may be difficult for strollers. Dogs on leash are also welcome. 

Here's the schedule:

Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m., Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook. Meet in front of the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. 

For this kickoff walk, Barbara will be joined by her friend Barbara Mahany, author of the newly published "The Book of Nature: The Astonishing Beauty of God's First Sacred Text." We will set the Shabbat scene with a brief pre-walk conversation about Jewish texts on the rhythms and awe of nature, and then set off on the 2.3-mile Night Heron trail past Graue Mill and along Salt Creek. 

 

Saturday July 15, 2 p.m., Salt Creek Trail. We will meet in the parking lot of Brookfield Woods, entrance on the north side of 31st St, west of 1st Ave., Brookfield. 

The Salt Creek Trail is a paved path along the creek, making it stroller- or wheelchair- friendly. However, we will need to keep right as we walk because it is also popular with bicyclists. 

Rain Date: Saturday July 22.

 

Saturday Aug. 19, 2 p.m., Des Plaines River Trail, meeting in the parking lot of Evans Field, at W. Bloomingdale Ave. & Thatcher Ave., River Grove - across from Russell's Barbecue. 

Have you ever wanted to walk from Oak Park to Wisconsin? You can, just about, on the Des Plaines River Trail - which starts right in our neighborhood! There is a short access leg at Evans Field, a Cook County Forest Preserve. From there, it's a mere 62 miles to just before the Wisconsin border.

However, for this walk, we will just walk 2 miles or so, heading north on the trail along the Des Plaines River. 

                                                                          Rain date: Saturday Aug. 26

For more information or potential day-of rain cancelations, call or text Barbara Brotman at 312-532-4244, or email brotmanbarbara@gmail.com.