Adult Treks & Events with Lech-Lecha Journeys
Harper's Ferry Backpacking
May 23, 2025, 10:30 am
- May 26, 2025, 3 pm
Kick off the summer with a stunning weekend trek along the Appalachian Trail! Hike among the tress, take in the gorgeous views of the Shenandoah River, connect with new (and old) friends, and celebrate Shabbat surrounded by the beauty of creation. As our people approach Shavuot, receiving the Torah, we too will climb the mountain, opening to receive, seeking to connect. What is the Torah will you bring down the mountain? What call will you hear from within?
May 23, 2025, 10:30 am
- May 26, 2025, 3 pm
Kick off the summer with a stunning weekend trek along the Appalachian Trail! Hike among the tress, take in the gorgeous views of the Shenandoah River, connect with new (and old) friends, and celebrate Shabbat surrounded by the beauty of creation. As our people approach Shavuot, receiving the Torah, we too will climb the mountain, opening to receive, seeking to connect. What is the Torah will you bring down the mountain? What call will you hear from within?
Meet Your Trek Leader
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Raffi Levi is a rabbinical student at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in Riverdale, NY. He grew up in Southfield Michigan. Outside of his studies, he loves to spend his time fermenting, playing guitar, writing songs, sewing, baking bread and spending time with the glorious outdoors. He loves humor and goofiness, deep discussion, and deep listening. He also has ADHD and loves being a Neurodivergent Jew. Last summer, Raffi worked as a Culinary Arts Educator at Eden Village Camp, where food is gathered directly from their farm to appreciate the beauty and sacredness of eating with holistic, ecological, and spiritual intention. Currently, Raffi lives on the Upper West Side with his wife Daphne and several plants.
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Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course
May 25 - 27, 2025 Adventure with Confidence. Lead with Skill. Stay True to Your Values. Join Lech-Lecha and SOLO Wilderness Medicine for a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification Course designed for experienced Jewish hikers, trek leaders, and outdoor adventurers. Whether you want to lead challenging hikes, deepen your outdoor skills, or step into a Trek Leader role, this course prepares you for emergencies in remote environments—all while honoring Shabbat. 📍 Location: Alfa, NJ – Gorgeous wilderness setting, with outdoor camping and cozy indoor communal spaces. |
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*Lech-Lecha treks are all-inclusive (communal gear, food, itinerary planning, permitting, rentals, transformative content, and experienced trek leading). Personal gear (backpacks, sleeping pads/bags) are available for rent. Just show up at the trailhead with an adventurous and open mind, ready to embark on a meaningful Jewish journey, co-creating connection, belonging, and life long memories.
*Lech-Lecha Journey Hubs are complimentary.
*Lech-Lecha Journey Hubs are complimentary.
"Using a natural pool off of a waterfall as a mikvah after one of the most difficult hikes of my life with people I grew so close to in such a short time was a transcendental experience. " - Aviel D., White Mountains 2023
"New to backpacking? Lech-Lecha will provide you with the skills and community to take on this challenge. I’ve camped for a night before or at a cabin, but I’ve never gone on such an intense trip before and being able to do so was really empowering and made me realize I can do things like that.” - Zoe H., Colorado Backpacking 2021
2023 Trek Memories
FAQs
Observance: What does Pluralism Look Like in Practice?
We believe that every Jewish person can have and would benefit from having a deep connection to our tradition and our people. We believe that every Jewish person can live and would benefit from living an empowered and engaged Jewish journey of curiosity, discovery, learning, and practice. We seek to foster this connection and enliven this journey with love and openness.
Lech-Lecha also values creating a space that invites and respects traditional observance of Torah and Mitzvot. In addition to seeking to meet the needs of traditionally observant participants, we believe that there is a power and wonder to experiencing traditional Jewish observance especially as it comes to life in the wilderness, uniquely facilitating communal and spiritual connection.
Therefore, no matter who the participants are, all communal contexts of Lech-Lecha experiences formally observe Shabbat and Kashrut, offer time for traditional prayer, and cater programming to fall within halachic bounds, and individuals are invited - but never forced - to lean into the communal aspects of our trek. To the point, most treks and retreats we do not typically facilitate traditional tefilot on Lech-Lecha treks and do not bring a sefer Torah.
The journey is the destination. In other words, we don't pressure for any particular outcome or enforce any personal practice – the Lech-Lecha experience aims to inspire, empower, & deepen each participant's own unique – and joyful! – Jewish journey. This is a big part of what Journey-Powered Judaism means. We hope to meet you on the trail!
Lech-Lecha also values creating a space that invites and respects traditional observance of Torah and Mitzvot. In addition to seeking to meet the needs of traditionally observant participants, we believe that there is a power and wonder to experiencing traditional Jewish observance especially as it comes to life in the wilderness, uniquely facilitating communal and spiritual connection.
Therefore, no matter who the participants are, all communal contexts of Lech-Lecha experiences formally observe Shabbat and Kashrut, offer time for traditional prayer, and cater programming to fall within halachic bounds, and individuals are invited - but never forced - to lean into the communal aspects of our trek. To the point, most treks and retreats we do not typically facilitate traditional tefilot on Lech-Lecha treks and do not bring a sefer Torah.
The journey is the destination. In other words, we don't pressure for any particular outcome or enforce any personal practice – the Lech-Lecha experience aims to inspire, empower, & deepen each participant's own unique – and joyful! – Jewish journey. This is a big part of what Journey-Powered Judaism means. We hope to meet you on the trail!
cost
Lech-Lecha values equity and we do our best to engage every potential trekker no matter their financial ability. If you are in need of a financial subsidy, please list the scholarship amount that you would like to receive on your registration form.
A down payment of $18 is requested upon registration in order to secure your spot. Our system is set up to allow you to make as many smaller payments as you need, if one lump sum isn’t in the budget at the moment.
Don't worry, your payment is FULLY REFUNDABLE within 7 days of registration, as long as you've registered at least two weeks prior to your trek. Everything but the down payment will be refundable if you cancel prior to two weeks of the trek. Within two weeks of the trek your payment is no longer refundable barring extenuating circumstances.
A down payment of $18 is requested upon registration in order to secure your spot. Our system is set up to allow you to make as many smaller payments as you need, if one lump sum isn’t in the budget at the moment.
Don't worry, your payment is FULLY REFUNDABLE within 7 days of registration, as long as you've registered at least two weeks prior to your trek. Everything but the down payment will be refundable if you cancel prior to two weeks of the trek. Within two weeks of the trek your payment is no longer refundable barring extenuating circumstances.
Food: What's it like?
Our trekkers rate our food at an astounding 9.5/10. Our secret? They cook it! With the support of our Trek Leaders, trekkers are proud of and excited to partake in their creations.
A Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Oats, cereal, eggs (occasionally), powdered milk, nuts (if participants are without allergies) or dried fruit.
Lunches: Wraps, tuna, cheese, veggies, PB & J, and Nutella.
Dinners: Rice & sweet potato lentil dahl, mac & cheese, shepherds pie with instant mashed potatoes & veggie sausage, backcountry pizza, or quinoa tofu with zucchini. A special smoked meat treat is served on Shabbat as well.
All food is fully kosher based on CRC standards.
We are happy to make accommodations necessary for other allergies and eating habits.
A Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Oats, cereal, eggs (occasionally), powdered milk, nuts (if participants are without allergies) or dried fruit.
Lunches: Wraps, tuna, cheese, veggies, PB & J, and Nutella.
Dinners: Rice & sweet potato lentil dahl, mac & cheese, shepherds pie with instant mashed potatoes & veggie sausage, backcountry pizza, or quinoa tofu with zucchini. A special smoked meat treat is served on Shabbat as well.
All food is fully kosher based on CRC standards.
We are happy to make accommodations necessary for other allergies and eating habits.
Safety
Every Lech-Lecha trek is guided by an experienced and trained wilderness guide. All staff are First Aid and CPR trained. Some are Wilderness First Responders, as well.
Every trek is accompanied by a Satellite communication device to be used in case of emergency when the group is out of cellular service. It is important to note that there is inherent risk in wilderness adventure in which participants are at times hours from the closest road resulting in slow response time from emergency crews and difficulty of evacuation. That being said, we are grateful that no Lech-Lecha participant has faced serious injury that has required evacuation or the use of our SAT device and we do our best to ensure that this remains true for the future.
Every trek is accompanied by a Satellite communication device to be used in case of emergency when the group is out of cellular service. It is important to note that there is inherent risk in wilderness adventure in which participants are at times hours from the closest road resulting in slow response time from emergency crews and difficulty of evacuation. That being said, we are grateful that no Lech-Lecha participant has faced serious injury that has required evacuation or the use of our SAT device and we do our best to ensure that this remains true for the future.
Gear and Rental
Communal gear - tents, tarps, cooking equipment, water purification, and the like is all provided. Personal gear including pack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, is on you.
Missing some of your personal gear? We've got your back. You can rent backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads in the registration form.
Please save some room in your gear for some of the communal gear.
Missing some of your personal gear? We've got your back. You can rent backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads in the registration form.
Please save some room in your gear for some of the communal gear.
2023 Tales from the Trail:
"Lech-Lecha is the future of Jewish people. Connecting to our Jewish roots, the earth, ourselves, and those around us. Lech-Lecha brings ancient wisdom and traditions to life." - Menucha C., Appalachian Trail 2023
"[Lech-Lech Treks] foster a connection between people and nature, through a Jewish lens. I think the Jewish part is often missing unless you go to Jewish Camp (and even sometimes in those cases the Jewish aspect is watered down). On Lech-Lech trips both aspects (Jewish and nature) are important." - Eve M., Midwest Traverse 2023
"It’s a truly integrative process in both the internal and interpersonal group sphere unlike any other I’ve experienced. I appreciated the depth of safety and support created by the soulfulness, sensitivity, top-notch facilitation, care and authenticity shining through the trek leader’s direction and intentionality at every step of the journey. YES! 🙌 [Lech-Lecha] IS THE FUTURE. I can’t see a better way forward for the Jewish people as a whole than organically breaking down the walls between within and without that (literally) separate Jews from nature, from emergent and eternal wisdom encapsulated as much in life as in Torah, from each other, and from humanity and the planet as a whole." - Aura G., White Mountains, & Catskills Challenge 2023
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