Spending a Shabbaton in nature

What started as an idea in 2023 for a Temple Israel Men’s Club camping weekend turned into a full Shabbaton held Feb. 2-4, 2024, at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont.

The cabins were comfortable and well-stocked two-bedroom houses with screened-in porches overlooking Dixie Lake. The 10 participants enjoyed kosher food and reading Torah against the backdrop of a natural Florida environment.

“Many of us have had experience at Jewish summer camp growing up so we decided to re-create the best parts of the Jewish camping experience. All throughout the weekend, we had time to explore nature, get away from the hectic weekday life of living in the Orlando area, and spend time with friends while participating in Shabbat religious activities,” said David Magness, a participant who helped plan the weekend.

The group arrived Friday afternoon, unpacked, and set up for Shabbat. They lit candles and were led by Natan Brener in a Kabbalat Shabbat service as the meal was cooking. After services, the men said kiddush and motzi before digging into chicken fajitas. The evening was topped off with bottles of kosher wine and whiskey.

Saturday morning, the group awoke to thick fog on the lake, cool temperatures in the low 40s, and hot coffee on the porch. Eggs, fruit, pastries, more coffee, and orange juice was on the menu as they prepared for Saturday morning services. Brener lead services, including reading the entire parasha and haftarah, with everyone taking turns participating. Both a Cohen (Bernie Kahn) and a Levi (David Magness) were present!

After services, the men went on a short hike around a wetland and came back for a lunch of turkey sandwiches. While they finished their lunch, Magness facilitated a discussion on Judaism and being in nature. They talked about a Japanese term, shinrin-yoku—that means “forest bathing,” or spending time in a forest of natural atmosphere and focusing on sensory engagement to connect with nature—as compared to a Jewish term, hitbodedut, or self-secluded, unstructured, spontaneous, individualized Jewish meditation that can be done in nature. An important thing about these forms of solitary meditation in nature is to focus on the five senses. After the discussion, the group went on a longer hike around two of the lakes, spending some time resting in the gorgeous weather.

Participant Joe Ihns painted the view from the cabins in watercolor. The men had a Maariv service followed by a summer camp-style Havdalah. Magness played the tunes for the prayers on the guitar as everyone sang around the 12-wick braided candle.

“Linking the Havdalah service to the lunch discussion, we used all five senses once again. We heard the song, saw the flame, smelled the spices, touched the candle wax, and tasted the wine,” said Magness.

A kosher hot dog dinner, wine, and after-dinner socializing led to a late night turning in for bed.

On Sunday morning, the group woke up with coffee, cereal, fruit, and pastries, then packed up and attended the Temple Israel minyan on Zoom. Doing this service outside on the porch reminded the men of praying outside at summer camp with friends. After minyan, they packed the cars and headed home.

“It was said numerous times this weekend how fun it was and a nice break from the everyday chaos of modern life. We hope to grow on this experience and make it an annual event!” said Magness.