Outdoors with Beth El

In 2025, Beth El welcomed Congregation Ma’yan Tikvah into its family, which celebrates the profound connection between Judaism, nature, and social justice. See below for more information and outdoors with Beth El events.

• Announcement from Beth El clergy
• “Ma’yan Tikva and Congregation Beth El to Join Forces” (JewishBoston.com, June 10, 2025)
• Photos: Beth El gets into the swing of things, outdoors and in
• Guide for Ma’yan Tikvah families

Outdoors with Beth El events

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.

Past nature events:

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.