It would have been enough

Dan Brumer, a co-founder of Passover Village, offers this reflection:

 Dayenu 

If we had gathered once in Joshua Tree

 

 

If we had created ritual and sacred space

 

 

If we had welcomed diversity with openness

 

 

If we had invited and embraced all the children

 

 

If we had sought to realize our indigenous heritage

 

 

If we had encouraged expressiveness and creativity

 

 

If we had studied the twelve tribes and honored them with flags

 

 

If we had examined our white privilege and colonialism with humility 

 

 

If we had recreated the tabernacle and built the holy of holies 

 

 

If had smudged with frankincense—but wait, there’s myrrh!

 

 

If we had incorporated Council into our community

 

 

If we sat in wonder among all our fellow beings

 under the stars, comets, and fire rainbows

 

It would have been enough

Returning to the Land

After two years of virtual seders, the Passover Village community will return to Joshua Tree National Park for our seder in 2022. 

Additional information will be posted early in 2022.

During Time of Covid

The Passover Village Community has continued to meet online. In the early months of the pandemic, we meet weekly via teleconference to provide support to each other. Our meetings have gradually returned to monthly online gatherings to study Torah and be in Council.

We have also gathered for holiday observances; most recently for hanukah. Each household shared the light of its menorah to dispel the darkness and unite us.

We have also gathered online to hold shiva for a dear member of the Village. This week, we also conducted a virtual taharah (purification) ritual for the father of community members. The father's death from Covid made it unsafe for us to gather in person for taharah, so we drew upon our traditions to symbolically bath and dress the body for burial. This is what community does for its members.

Wisdom from the Council

The Village had been looking forward to a post-Passover retreat into the desert. When it was canceled due to quarantine concerns, many of us gathered via the internet for a day of council, meditation, and prayer.

In the afternoon, each of us went into nature to ask for guidance on what was required of us at this time.  Here are some of the things we learned.

Wisdom from the Council

Breathe with me, and you will have air, Eat with me and you will have food, Live with me and you will have life.

Discover stinging nettles and how we can be with them.

This is the time to rest and shore up your strength for when it’s time to act.

You will need your will to transform inspiration into action; don’t move too fast

Nothing to do besides being me, fully, all of me

Hear me, see me, feel me, touch me

Playfulness, childlike innocence, humility

Tune into what is all around us

Work with the seeds

Felt connected to the water; I live in a community

Be kind to ourselves; From the spirits: we love you, always have, always will

I am humbled

Use and activate your out-of-the-box gene

We affect everything and everything affects us

We are all connected

Rest

Give and receive love

Get clear on your commitments, be grateful, and be still to receive the heart’s heartbeat

Be the container for new life.

Ken yehi ratzon

כן יהי רצון 

Let it be so.

In the Covid-19 Desert

The Hagadah came alive in unexpected ways as the Village's seder was moved online. Drawing upon the traditions and relationships forged in the Village over the decades, we gathered online to celebrate together and inquire how our heritage can help us navigate the current time and create a vision for "Next Year in ......."

Here is one vision we all agreed upon:

Image from OneTable.org, Artwork by Rebekah Lowin [@madebyrebekah_]
https://issuu.com/onetableshabbat/docs/onetablexpassover_2020_guide?fr=sODU1YjEwNzgzMzQ

Update on 2020 Passover Village

Dates: Our tradition is to gather on the weekend after the 1st and 2nd seders to allow us to participate in home and synagogue-based seders on those nights. But this year, the 1st and 2nd nights are on Wednesday and Thursday nights, so to gather in the wilderness on the next day would be an difficult. Instead, we will begin the Village at 9:00 AM on Friday, April 17 and conclude at Noon on Sunday, April 19. These dates are after the official close of Passover, allowing us to experience the Village from a different perspective.

Location: We will gather in the San Bernardino Mountains this year.

Watch For More Information and Registration.

Passover Village Demands: "Close the Camps"

The sages asked, "Which is greater, Torah study or action?" Their conclusion, "Study is greater, for it leads to action."

Passover Village has been studying our relationship to "the other", to the environment, and to justice. Last week, we put the study into action, participating as a group in the "Close the Camps" rally in Los Angeles, demanding that refugees be treated with respect and justice.

Our participation was full of heart. We sang, prayed, and held council. Our colorful flags of the four directions, tallitot, and shofarot raised the ruach, spirit of the event.

The sages also said, “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Our pursuit of justice will continue.

In such a sky, you can see past, present, and future.

View from Joshua Tree emcampment.

Dear Passover Villagers 2019

Thank you for attending the retreat this year.  We trust your travels back from the Village were uneventful and safe.

Please let us know about:

What worked for you and your family

What did not work for you and your family

Three memorable moments from your experience

Suggestions or requests for next time (Kavannah, activities, location, etc.)

Thanks again,

Dan

Registration for Passover Village 2019 is now OPEN!

Registration for Passover Village 2019 is now OPEN!

This page has information for registration but not everything else. Please also visit: http://passovervillage.blogspot.com for other Passover Village info.

LOCATION
This year we will be returning to iconic and enigmatic Joshua Tree National Park. We will gather in community, embraced by a magnificent amphitheater of boulders rising 100 feet above our two group camp sites. Exact location and directions will be provided with registration confirmation. Please don't plan to "just drop by."

DATES
9 AM Friday April 26, 2019 through Noon Sunday April 28, 2019

Come Early: Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum travel time by car from Los Angeles; arrival before dark will simplify campsite setup. Camp is available to us as early as 3:00 pm Wednesday, April 24th. Otherwise, plan to arrive by 8:00 am Friday at the latest to set-up your personal camp and join the opening circle at 9:00 am.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Send the following by email (required):
1. Requested contribution is $90/adult or child 13-and-over; children 12-and-under free!
2. The name, phone number, and email address of each adult being registered.
3. The name and ages of any children aged 17-and-under, and the name of the adult registrant who will be responsible for each child.
4. The number and description of vehicles.
5. The day, date and time you plan to arrive.
6. Contribution to Scholarship Fund (optional)

* We ask that payment be made via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/us/home
There is no charge for a PayPal account. You can use your bank account for free or a credit card for only a $.33 fee (less than a stamp!) and send your contribution to the PayPal account passovervillage@gmail.com.

If you must, send a check payable to:
Larry Richard (m: 310-560-6004)
2118 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 594
Santa Monica, CA 90403

* Payment must be received by April 1, 2019 to confirm your space.

* Includes all camping fees and delicious, catered Seder meal.  TBD

* Genuine financial hardship should not keep you from attending. Please let us know how you can contribute.

* Volunteers Needed: (1) help loading gear in Culver City on TBD, (2) transporting to and from camp, (3) unloading gear on Sunday afternoon, April 28th

PASSOVER VILLAGE AGREEMENTS:
We agree to respect and care for ourselves, each other, the community and the land. To safeguard the freedom and sanctity of time and space in the Passover Village, the Leadership Council has endeavored to balance the needs of individuals with those of the community. To that end, the following updates are effective with Passover Village 2013.

By registering for this retreat, attendees also agree to the following:

Photography and Recordings:
-- When we are gathered In Community with a common focus, or "In Session," put away cameras and recording devices.
-- When we are not gathered as a focused community, having lunch, talking with others, etc., photos and recording are allowed within bounds of respect, privacy and permission: Be discrete, non-intrusive, and respectful of all participants when taking any photographs or recording; some may prefer not to be photographed or recorded at all.
-- Do not publish photos or recordings in public media
-- If unsure about a photo or recording, do not take or publish it.

Personal Displays and Self Promotion: In the spirit of a retreat, so that we might leave behind the things of the day to day world, please do not bring personal displays or promotional items into community areas.

CARPOOLING: This is strongly encouraged and a great way to start the Village before you arrive. Parking onsite is very limited. Let us know if you need or can offer a ride.


SHARING THE BURDEN, LIGHTENING THE LOAD
If you find you will be traveling alone, please consider offering to partner with another Passover Villager to share driving, camp set-up and meals. If you are strong, please share. If you are not so strong, please ask for help.

ACCESSIBILITY: The campground is accessible via road. The outhouses meet ADA requirements for accessibility, but most of the campsite is sandy or loose soil, making wheelchair mobility difficult. But as during our exodus from Egypt, when the infirm and disabled were carried, we will accommodate special needs.

PARKING
Parking is limited in the group site parking lot.

Overflow parking is available a short drive away and shuttle rides back to camp can be arranged as needed.

RV parking is restricted by size (25’ max) as well as total number of all vehicles.

CAMPSITE DETAILS
* We do not have running water however community water supply and personal water containers can be filled for free at the ranger station about one mile away

* Multiple picnic tables and a community barbecue pit

* Two pit toilets in weather-protected brick building

* There are sites for individual tents scattered throughout the group site.

* This is a family-friendly site, however it is in the National Park and precautions are advised against the elements. Beware of snakes, cacti, falls, and around prickly shrubs.

* This site is a 2-3 hour drive from the Los Angeles area. Motels or B&B accommodations can be found in nearby Twentynine Palms if you cannot camp.

* Exact location and directions will be provided after registration. Please don't plan to "just drop by."

* Visit https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm for complete National Park Service details


MEALS
Friday Night Dinner: An outreach to Villagers who might like to coordinate a potluck Shabbat meal and/or service will be forthcoming.

Saturday Night Dinner: TBD

Other Meals and Snacks: Bring food and kitchen/cooking items for your own enjoyment. (Meal-time sharing is encouraged.)

LEADERSHIP:
Throughout the year, a Leadership Council -- with help and input from other community members -- keeps alive the spirit of Passover Village and plans and organizes our gatherings. Members of the Leadership Council have taken on facilitation of various aspects of Passover Village (with some others' tasks to be decided):

Marc Weigensberg
Tobi Fishel
Dan Brumer
Laurie Burton
Michael Chusid
Sandra Goodman
Larry Richard
Avram Wagman
Chaim Pittle

VOLUNTEERING: It takes a village to make a village. Will you help organize or lead…?:

Baking matzah
Making haroset
Assembling the Seder plate
Bringing music, song, and ruach (spirit)
Preparing a teaching, creative activity, or ritual
Planning a meditation walk
Mentoring our "young warriors" or engaging with Village Kids
Bringing the fruit of the vine
Repairing tent
or whatever your calling.

The Passover Village will offer a chance to immerse and spend time in these ancient forms as we recreate aspects of the Exodus, celebrate community and share in the traditional "non-traditional, expanded, experimental, enhanced and engaging Passover Village Seder!"

We invite you to revisit the excellent study notes posted throughout the year to begin your Passover Village experience right away! You will find them elsewhere in the blog pages.

MORE INFO AND TO VOLUNTEER

PassoverVillage@gmail.com
Michael (818) 219-4937
Larry (310) 560-6004
Dan 310-396-0706

NOTICE: Outdoors activities and camping are inherently dangerous. By participating you agree to accept all risks to yourself and property, and to hold harmless the organizers of and participants in Passover Village.


Revised 2019-02-24 by Michael C.

Passover Village 2019: Invitation and Kavanah

L’shem yichud kud’sha b’rich hu u’sh’chinah . . .

V’ahavtah l’rey’a’cha k’mo’cha

For the sake of unification of the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine,
We commit ourselves to the obligation to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Shalom Chevrey, Dear Friends!

Please join us for our upcoming 25^th year in the wilderness together!

Dates: Thursday, April 25 – Sunday April 28

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

This year’s village again promises:

·      Connection with Nature, amid the amphitheater of boulders in our “home court” in Joshua Tree.  In an age of global climate catastrophes and the threat of extinction, being with the Earth, the Great Mother, seems one of the only logical steps to take;

·      Connection with Community – gathering of old and new friends, relatives, elders, youngers, recognizing the essence of each other, envisioning new ways to live together as brothers and sisters; and

·      Connection with Sacred Ritual – continuing to awaken our indigenous mind through  earth-based ceremonies, enlivening old rituals, creating authentic experiences of the sacred.

Kavanah for 2019 (spiritual intention)

As in years past, we will carry an additional kavanah into the Village, born from our year-long study of the Book of Joshua.  The author(s) clearly sought guidance for the question, “How shall we not be slaves again?” Just as clearly, they answered, “By colonizing everything we encounter.” The answer they perceived led to this: 

Joshua 6:15-21:

“It happened on the seventh day . . . They destroyed everything that was in the city – man and woman, youth and elder, ox and sheep and ass – by the edge of the sword.”

In this age of climate disruption and planetary destruction, rising corruption, genocide and ethnic cleansing, white supremacy, demagoguery, authoritarian governments, and general dis-ease of the culture, we honor the ancient question – How shall we not be slaves? – by adding further questions: Does the ancient perception still offer guidance? If not, what then are we called upon to do?

Why is this PV different from all other PVs? 

We carry essential and existential questions into this year’s PV.  We have no answers.  We can barely frame the questions. 

We plan to sit in deep council together and spend much time leaning on the rocks and listening to what the land has to teach us regarding:

·      How do we rid ourselves of our “colonial mind” – the thought processes and belief systems that result from millennia of colonization and oppression - where competition, greed, extraction of resources, and social inequality are the status quo drivers of human behavior?  Put another way, how have we been (and continue to be) colonizers and oppressors of the Earth and the “Other” (both human and non-human)?

·      What would it be like to collaborate rather than dominate? To cooperate rather than compete? To listen rather than just hear? To know that the way things are is not the way things have to be? To organize human society so that society serves all beings and the earth and not vice-versa?

·      Can developing indigenous mind, earth connection, listening to nature, and putting humans in right relation with earth and other beings lead us into the promised land through the shadow of Joshua?

We will again trust the mythology and ritual of our ancestral Pesach story to provide a jumping off point to and through difficult territory and universal questions.  We do this in order to find relevance for our Village’s existence, to help us understand the times we live in and the imperatives demanded of us, and to perhaps discover ways  for us to move together for the sake of all beings and the planet.     

The prophet Micah teaches: “What does the Holy require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

And to riff off our ancient sage Hillel, if we do not do something to face the destructive forces of conquest and colonization that have plagued humankind for millennia, who will? And if we do not do it now, then when?

B’shalom v’ahavah

Your Passover Village Leadership Council    

PS: Though certainly not necessary, the following brief readings and podcast are suggested if you want to deepen your immersion into the kavanah questions before coming to PV (in no particular order):

1.     “Extinction Illness: Grave Affliction and Possibility,” essay published in Tikkun, by Deena Metzger,   https://www.tikkun.org/newsite/extinction-illness-grave-affliction-and-possibility

2.     "Decolonizing Restorative Justice" by Denise C. Breton,  pp. 176-190; in “Unsettling Ourselves: Reflections and Resources for Deconstructing Colonial Mentality, a sourcebook compiled by the Unsettling Minnesota collective”, https://unsettlingminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/um_sourcebook_jan10_revision.pdf

3.     “White Fragility“,  Podcast featuring Robin DiAngelo, at: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-learners-corner-podcast/the-learners-corner/e/57420409

a.     And for those who want to take a deeper dive, take a look at her book “White Fragility: why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism” https://b-ok.cc/book/3553806/99f7ce

4.     Book of Joshua

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Hold The Date for this year's seder

The Passover Village will, once again, head into the desert for its annual exploration of freedom, nature, and sacred community. Hold the dates: 9:00 AM Friday, April 26 until Noon Sunday, April 28, 2019, and check back on this website for updated information about registration.

We have reservations for a campsites in Joshua Tree National Park. The Park is currently closed due to a pharaoh whose heart has been stiffened. We hope it will be reopen soon. If you know of an alternative location, however, please contact someone on Leadership Council with your suggestion.

We are studying the book of Joshua this year.

Each year, the Passover Village community selects a book of the Tanach to study. What we learn from the text and our discussions helps shape our plans for the seder and contributes to the energy we bring to the annual gathering.

This year, we are studying Joshua. We are looking, especially, at how our conquest of Canaan can help us understand the conditions and effects of aggression, war, colonialism, and other forces of our own age.  Along the way, we are looking for teachings that unlock spiritual insights.

It is not necessary to read Joshua in order to attend Passover Village.

The Day After PV 2018

Beauty, Light and Dancing with the Divine Feminine

Kavannah 2018

Kavannah 2018

As in years past, we carry an additional kavannah (spiritual intention) into the Village, borne from our yearlong study since last PV  of the Divine Feminine in the Hebrew tradition.   We call Her by many names:  Asherah . . .Astarte . . .  Anat . . . Shechinah . . . Lilit . . . Sarah . . . Miriam.  What do these images, ideas, and archetypes have to teach us in this age of #metoo and #timesup?  In these times, what are we to make of the Zohar legend of the exile of Shechinah and her longing for union with HaKadosh Baruch Hu?   What have the ancients passed on to us in their Yichudim – prayers of unification of Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine?  What does it mean to honor the Feminine in Nature, the Great Mother, to offer ecstatic prayers to the Queen of  the Heavens while dancing around a tree?  Is this not also our Hebrew tradition?  Why has none of this been passed down through Torah, Talmud, Hebrew school?  Was the Feminine deliberately suppressed in our tradition, a reflection of the shift from matriarchal traditions to patriarchy that was happening in the ancient world at the age of formation of Judaism?  What traumas have been perpetuated because of this?  How have modern day women suffered from this?  Modern day men?  How can we reclaim our connection to Her, and does She want to be reclaimed? 

All of these topics are in the field, as we gather and enter our holy campground for another season of praise and community.  Moses asked Pharoah to allow the people to go out to the wilderness to serve their God for 3 days, and so we do the same. We hope you will joyfully join us this year in our councils, dances, rituals, and prayers as we seek relation with Her. 

Invitation to Passover Village 2018

Dear Passover Villagers, past, present, and future:

For the past 22 years, our Passover Village community has journeyed into the desert on Passover to reclaim indigenous Hebrew traditions and earth-based ways of being.  We have all but lost these traditions during the last two millennia of “civilization.”  Returning to the land on Passover has been our means to feel our way back to our core being. We do so by creating a three-day encampment during which we renew connections with our ancestors and nature through storytelling, council, ceremony, song, and community.  This year we will again celebrate together in holy community under the sun and stars, amongst the coyotes, desert tortoises, and yucca plants at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave desert.

Tradition demands that we relate the story of our liberation from slavery and oppression in Egypt as if we, ourselves, had been present in that Exodus.  The ancient story teaches universal lessons of freedom, renewal, and connection to Earth for all peoples.  Together with a mixed multitude of other peoples (Exodus 12:38), the Children of Israel ventured into the wilderness seeking to serve Spirit. With this model of a multicultural, multilingual, and multicolored mass of heart-based community of seekers, we, humbly and with great respect, invite people of all tribes and faiths to share the Passover celebration with us this year, as always. 

Each year, we have reflected on where we are as a community and that community’s place in the world.  While looking back to sacred texts and commentaries we also look within ourselves to see what we might learn, how we might grow and how we can contribute.  And, we cannot help but consider all of the above in the context of the times in which we live.

The times in which we live are, for many, fraught with fear and distrust, disrespect and abuse.  Among the most poignant of the themes and issues facing all of us is the place and plight of the oppressed among us.  

These are not new themes, of course.  As we closed the Passover Village in Joshua Tree last April, we began to form an intention for this year’s retreat.  It is still being crafted, along the lines of acknowledgment, respect and support for women, hearing their voices, heeding their calls.  Again, while these issues are not new, no one knew (but anyone might have predicted) that a line would be crossed and women could no longer remain silent in the face of abuse, harassment and worse.

Emboldened by shared stories, women have been speaking up and having an impact.  As we write, hundreds of thousands of women are marching nationwide.

We want to say:  “We have your backs.”

We have been seeking how the Sacred Feminine Spirit might inform our actions while we support our women (each other, and everyone, of course) and to listen from the heart to their voices and their stories. 

We invite you to join us at this year’s Passover Village retreat to deepen the conversation, embrace the experience, and be together as we learn from each other.

Women, you are particularly invited to contribute your voice and what’s in your heart.  “We” all need you.

What are the messages?  Does any of this resonate with you?  Come.  Let’s resonate together.

SAVE THE DATE:  Passover Village Retreat, April 6-8, 2018, Joshua Tree National Park

* Many of you have already registered to attend; some have already sent the contribution.  Your place will be reserved provided it’s received by March 1st.

* If you HAVEN'T registered and want to attend this year, please write ASAP and we will send you registration info.

  

Looking forward to hearing from you. 

Dan

m 310-396-0706

Why I go To the Desert

Psalms say,

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

In the quiet of the desert, I can hear even the stones breath. 

Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, stars of light.

Praise the LORD from the earth.

Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind, fulfilling His word.

Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged fowl.

 In the desert, I hear them all praising God.

Halleluyah.

Registration & Kavanah for Passover Village 2017

Dear Friends,

Registration for Passover Village 2017 is now OPEN!

This email has information for registration but not everything else.  Please also visit: http://passovervillage.blogspot.com for other Passover Village info.

LOCATION

This year we will be returning to the spectacular group camps in Joshua Tree National Monument.  Exact location and directions will be provided with registration confirmation.

DATES

Friday-Sunday

April 14 – April 16, 2017

Come Early:

Camp is available to us as early as 3:00 pm Wednesday, April 12th.  Otherwise, plan to arrive by 8:00 am Friday at the latest to set-up your personal camp and join the opening circle at 9:00 am.

KAVANAH:  

Kavanah (Spiritual Intention) for Passover Village 2017

A voice calls out

In the wilderness, open a path to the Holy One!

                                                                                    Isaiah

If you don’t know the kind of person I am

And I don’t know the kind of person you are

A pattern that others made may prevail in the world

And following the wrong god home we may miss our star.

                                                                                    William Stafford

From the Leadership Council:

For the past 21 years, our Passover Village community has journeyed into the desert on Passover to reclaim indigenous Hebrew traditions and earth-based ways of being.  We have all-but lost these traditions during the last two millennia of “civilization.”  Returning to the land on Passover has been our means to feel our way back to our core being. We do so by creating a three-day encampment during which we renew connections with our ancestors and nature through storytelling, council, ceremony, song, and community.   This year we will again celebrate together in holy community under the sun and stars, amongst the coyotes, desert tortoises, and yucca plants at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave desert.

Tradition demands that we relate the story of our liberation from slavery and oppression in Egypt as if we, ourselves, had been present in that Exodus.  The ancient story teaches universal lessons of freedom, renewal, and connection to Earth for all peoples.  Together with a mixed multitude of other peoples, the Children of Israel ventured into the wilderness seeking to serve Spirit. With this model of a multicultural, multilingual, and multicolored mass of heart-based community of seekers, we, humbly and with great respect, invite people of all tribes and faiths to share the Passover celebration with us this year.

There is now a special urgency. Our post-11/8 world requires new ways of being, that are old ways of being.  The Hebrew prophets called out doom and gloom and yet opened a path through the wilderness back to the Holy.  The times call upon elders to bring accumulated wisdom to the world, and balance back to the culture. Since 11/8, we have been gathering in council circles to share from the heart and seek ways to traverse the dangerous chasm that has opened in our nation.

So it is in this spirit that we welcome people of all faiths and tribes to join in the wider conversation that Passover can inspire. We learn from each other’s tribal wisdom traditions and stories of liberation. We bridge divisions and estrangement.  Coming together with peoples of good heart and spirit is the path through the moral wilderness that separates, divides, and oppresses us individually.

This year in Joshua Tree.

Next year in a world of social and environmental justice.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION (you may also use the attached form): 

Send the following (required):
1.  * Payment (requested contribution is $90/adult or child 13-and-over; children who are 12-and-under free! *

2.  The name, phone number, and email address of each adult being registered

3.  The name and ages of any children aged 17-and-under, and the name of the adult registrant who will be responsible for each child.

4.  The number and description of vehicles.

5.  The date and time you plan to arrive.

6.  Make checks payable to LARRY RICHARD

7.  Mail to:

Larry Richard
2118 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 594
Santa Monica, CA 90403

(Larry's cell:  310-560-6004)

* Must be received by April 1, 2017 to confirm your space.

* Includes all camping fees and delicious, catered Seder meal.

* Genuine financial hardship should not keep you from attending.  Please let us know how you can contribute.

* Volunteers needed:  1) help loading gear on Wed April 12th, 2) transporting to and from camp, 3) unloading gear on Sun April 16th

AGREEMENTS

By registering for this retreat, attendees also agree to the following:

Photography and Recordings:

Please:

-- When we are gathered In Community with a common focus, or "In Session," put away cameras and recording devices.

-- When we are not gathered as a focused community, having lunch, talking with others, etc., photos and recording are allowed within bounds of respect, privacy and permission: Be discrete, non-intrusive, and respectful of all participants when taking any photographs or recording; some may prefer not to be photographed or recorded at all.

-- Do not publish photos or recordings in public media

-- If unsure about a photo or recording, do not take or publish it.

Personal Displays and Self Promotion: 

In the spirit of a retreat, so that we might leave behind the things of the day to day world, please do not bring personal displays or promotional items into community areas.

Thank you!

CARPOOLING

This is strongly encouraged and a great way to start the Village before you arrive.  Parking onsite is very limited.  Let us know if you need or can offer a ride. 

SHARING THE BURDEN, LIGHTENING THE LOAD

If you find you will be traveling alone, please consider offering to partner with another Passover Villager to share driving, camp set-up and meals.  If you are strong, please share.  If you are not so strong, please ask for help.  

ACCESSIBILITY: The campground is accessible via road. The outhouses meet ADA requirements for accessibility. Most of the campsite is sandy or loose soil, making wheelchair mobility difficult. But as during our exodus from Egypt, when the infirm and disabled were carried, we will accommodate special needs.

PARKING

Parking is limited in the group site parking lot.  

Overflow parking is available a short drive away and shuttle rides back to camp can be arranged as needed.  RV parking is restricted by size (25’ max) as well as total number of all vehicles.

CAMPSITE DETAILS

* Our secluded group site is nestled within a 100’ surround of the enigmatic and evocative boulders of Joshua Tree 

* We do not have running water however community water supply and personal water containers can be filled for free at the ranger station about one mile away

* Multiple picnic tables and a community barbecue pit  

* Two pit toilets in weather-protected brick building

* There are sites for individual tents scattered throughout the group site.

* This is a family-friendly site, however it is in the National Park and precautions are advised against the elements and around prickly shrubs.

* This site is a 2-3 hour drive from the Los Angeles area. Motels or B&B accommodations can be found in nearby Twentynine Palms if you cannot camp.

* Exact location and directions will be provided after registration.  Please don't plan to "just drop by."

* Visit https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm for complete National Park Service details

We hope there is enough information provided here but if you have any questions, call or write at your earliest opportunity!

See you soon,

Dan

C 310-396-0706