Chavurat Yehudim—CHAI, a congregation on wheels with no walls and the sky for its roof. CHAI has now grown to 165 coaches (the “family unit” of the motor-coach world), comprised of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and secular Jews, and some non-Jews too; families, couples, and singles; teachers, lawyers, accountants, and entrepreneurs; and many retirees. http://www.chai-fmca.org/
CHAI’s first Friday night service was held in January 2004 in a Claremore, OK campground, where a designated “challah finder” had to drive 60 miles roundtrip to obtain the ritual bread. Nowadays, organizing the service typically involves arranging camping chairs in a circle and setting up folding tables with noshes and drinks. As dusk settles, a folding table becomes a bimah, a challah replaces snacks, and candles and Kiddush cups appear. Voices join in prayers as the stars fill the heavens. By Anna Lee Braunstein for Reform Judaism Magazine, Fall 2010
Traditional
Jewish
Tent Camping
Jewish
Tent Camping
