Welcome to B.E. Outdoors, where we embrace our love of nature and our rich ancestral history of connecting with the Earth.
B.E. Outdoors is for the whole community. As we say at Beth El, we work together to create a future of justice and healing for our world. That means honoring the Earth through spiritual, religious, and political action. This initiative is inspired by our community’s deep connection to the Earth through environmental activism, spiritual engagement, and outdoor recreation.
Drawing from Jewish text, tradition, and contemporary movements, Judaism offers an abundance of ways to connect with and celebrate the living Earth. Join us in our commitment to be in right relationship with our neighbors, ourselves, and the Earth.
Our students and their families enrolled in BE InSpirEd journey outdoors once a month for BE OutSpirEd, a day of outdoor education and Jewish learning. Read more about our Outdoor Hebrew school below.
The whole congregation engages spiritually and recreationally outdoors throughout the year. Each week the congregation is invited to step outside during the Shabbat Amidah, the standing personal prayer, to revel in nature’s wonder and enhance their connection to God and themselves. For many holidays – including High Holy Days, Passover, and Shavuot – clergy and Outdoor Judaism Director, Arielle Sabot, lead contemplative nature walks inspired by the season. During the week and weekends, the community enjoys Shabbat bike rides, full moon kayaking trips, and morning birding excursions led by community members.
A great thank you to Rabbi Katy Allen for her leadership and stewardship of Ma’yan Tikvah, a now sunset congregation without walls from which Judaism Outdoors at Beth El was adopted.
Saturday, Sept. 12
2:00–4:00pm — Family program in nature in Concord (rain date: September 13, 4:00–6:00pm)
Sunday, Sept. 13
1:00–2:00pm — Tashlich at Gray Conservation Area
A simple, intimate tashlich experience close to our spiritual home. After day two Rosh Hashanah services, take a step outside to cast away whatever is weighing you down. Rabbi Josh, Cantor Vera, and Arielle Sabot will guide a short walk out to Gray Conservation Area for the annual Tashlich ritual. This ritual experience is for all people, and four legged friends are welcome to join.
Meet in front of Beth El after services. We will begin walking at 1:00 and return by 2:00.
4:00–6:00pm — Rain date for family program in nature
Monday, September 21
2:30-3:30pm – Meditative Walk with Rabbi Katy Allen
Take a leisurely walk to and through Gray Conservation Area with stops along the way for poetry and tefillot on themes of teshuvah and connecting with the Mystery and the more-than-human world. Time for silent meditation will be provided. This walk is suitable for adults and teens.
Throughout the school year BE InSpirEd becomes BE OutSpirEd for a special Earth-based Judaism experience. Students and their families visit unique locations in the greater Boston area to learn outdoor skills, connect with local ecosystems, and embrace Jewish connections to the Earth.
During the program’s pilot year students visited four unique locations in the MetroWest area. Activities included fishing lessons, fire birthing, maple tours, gardening, and much more.
Now in its fourteenth year, Earth Etudes for Elul are short musings on teshuvah (return, change, repentance) and the Earth written by local and distant community members published daily during the month of Elul.
Submissions for the 5786/2026 collection are open. Apply here by June 30, 2026. Sign up to receive the Etudes in your inbox beginning 1 Elul 5786/August 14, 2026. You can read last year’s Etudes here.
This is an ever-evolving and growing initiative. In the coming year, look forward to nature walks, kayak outings, hikes, meditation and yoga, speakers, and more offerings based on the seasons.
Looking to learn more about Judaism Outdoors? Contact Beth El’s Outdoor Judaism Director & Educator Arielle Sabot at outdoors@bethelsudbury.org or call 978-443-9622 x104.
Join Beth El’s Judaism Outdoors Email List for upcoming events at Beth El and beyond.
Nature-based services as part of our High Holiday celebrations— Rabbi Katy Allen and Arielle Sabot offered outdoor nature walk services for alternative Shacharit and Musaf services as well as Tashlich at Nobscot at Grey Reservation.
Full Moon Walk
Friday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Greenways Conservation Area (meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Green Way; use 22 Green Way for GPS)
Welcome Shabbat by experiencing the woods, fields, and river in the gathering darkness and enjoying the light of the full moon. During a leisurely and meditative walk across the meadow to the Sudbury River, we’ll stop for reflections on slowing down and simply being. Children and adults of all ages are welcome to this walk led by Rabbi Katy Allen, and you are invited to bring a poem, story or song about the moon or slowing down and taking time just to be. The walk will last about an hour and a quarter.
Shabbat at the Beach
Friday, July 11 and Friday, August 8 at 5:00pm
Wayland Town Beach
Welcome Shabbat with a joyous, energetic and musical service, open to everyone! Enjoy the sound of water, the voices of children at play, and voices raised in song as we welcome Shabbat. Bring your beach chairs and towels, as well as picnic food – shoes are optional.
Shabbat Morning Meditative Walk
Saturday, July 26 from 8:30–10:15am
Pod Meadow Conservation Area (the small parking lot is across from 421 Old Connecticut Path in Wayland)
Walk the summertime woodland trails around Pod Meadow pond with Rabbi Katy Allen. We’ll watch for birds and ducks while engaging with Shabbat through prayers, poetry, meditative moments and discussion. Come dressed for the weather and bring bug repellant and a water bottle.
Shabbat Morning Meditative Walk
Saturday, August 23 from 8:30–10:15am
Pine Brook Conservation Area (meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Forty Acres Drive in Wayland. Use 75 Forty Acres Drive for GPS)
Walk the glacial esker woodland trail leading to a bridge over the Pine Brook marsh with Rabbi Katy Allen. We’ll take time to appreciate the summertime woods while engaging with Shabbat through prayers, poetry, meditative moments and discussion. Come dressed for the weather and bring bug repellant and a water bottle.
Full Moon Walk
Friday, September 5 from 7:00–8:15pm
Greenways Conservation Area (meet in the cul-de-sac at the end of Green Way; use 22 Green Way for GPS)
Welcome Shabbat by experiencing the woods, fields, and river in the gathering darkness and enjoying the light of the full Moon. During a leisurely and meditative walk across the meadow to the Sudbury River, we’ll stop for reflections on slowing down and simply being. Children and adults of all ages are welcome to this walk led by Rabbi Katy Allen, and you are invited to bring a poem, story or song about the moon or slowing down and taking time just to be. The walk will last about an hour and a quarter.
Shabbat in Nature
Saturday, June 21 at 2:00pm
Meet at Beth El parking lot
Embrace the splendor of nature with a guided walk through the Gray Reservation! Enjoy sights such as a lovely bridge over an old dam as we take time to appreciate the beauty of the world on Shabbat. All are welcome!
Shavuot on the Farm
Sunday, June 1 at 1:00pm
Robb Elkind’s Farm
Celebrate Shavuot like never before! Play with the goats and chickens, learn how to make your own ice cream and butter, and much more! Register here.
Shavuot at the Drumlin
Monday, June 2 at 10:00am
Drumlin Farm in Lincoln
Celebrate Shavuot in the beauty of nature with our annual walk up the drumlin! Together, we’ll carry the Torah to the top of the hill and hear the Ten Commandments in the sanctuary of Creation. Bring a picnic snack (and some songs to share) as we relax together following the reading.
Guided Bird Walk
Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00am
See photos from our first-ever Beth El bird walk at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord. In addition to viewing the birds and chatting about their natural history, we had a chance to practice “auditory mindfulness” as we listened to the early morning bird song.
105 Hudson Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
(978) 443-9622|Email Us
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