Shabbat in the Snow

Early morning Easter service has become a tradition at ski resorts. Usually non-denominational, these services are intended to bring the meaning of a very important Christian holy day to where many Christians like to be on a spring Sunday – on the slopes.

Well now, Jamie Korngold, a Colorado rabbi who dubs herself the “adventure rabbi” is taking traditional Jewish services and ceremonies out of the temple and into God’s wilderness. Rabbi Korngold knew where a Jewish flock might be found on a Saturday and put out the Shabbat service sign at the top of Copper Mountain where, after an abbreviated prayer and message, she joins the faithful in skiing.

It is Rabbi Korngold’s hope to invigorate outdoor loving Jewish people and stimulate in them an interest in becoming more involved in their faith. She also leads longer hiking sessions in the warmer seasons and performs bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and other ceremonies and services outdoors.