Sarai Shapiro

Sarai Shapiro is dedicated to creating culture that connects people, the earth, and spirit. She directs Wilderness Torah’s youth programs. Prior to joining Wilderness Torah, Sarai was a resident and retreat manager at Elat Chayyim Retreat Center and worked in Jewish and non-Jewish nature-based education for four years, including the Teva Learning Alliance. She has co-created nature-based girls programs with Wild Earth and the Vermont Wilderness School, created a Girl’s Rosh Chodesh Group, and has directed B’nai Mitzvah and Behira Teen Programs at ALEPH Kallah since 2007. A founding board member of Eden ViIlage Camp, Sarai has been a group leader for Jewish Funds for Justice and Jewish Farm School. In her younger years, she was a community organizer in urban areas. Sarai is a certified yoga instructor and has a certificate in Herbal Medicine from the California School of Herbal Studies.

Wilderness Torah

Faith and Practice

A Critical Time for Jewish Youth: Rethinking the Bar and Bat Mitzvah

By Sarai Shapiro and Zelig Golden

Tweens need more. A look at one approach to making Judaism relevant, meaningful and transformative and giving youth a Jewish compass to navigate their lives ahead. Naturally.