CREATING A MORE RESILIENT WORLD - Strategic Plan 2023-2029 - wildernesstorah.org/strategic-plan - Wilderness Torah
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Strategic Plan 2023–2029
CREATING
A MORE
RESILIENT
WORLD
wildernesstorah.org/strategic-plan wildernesstorah.org/strategic-plan
THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH WILDERNESS TORAH...THIS IS THE CONNECTION TO JUDAISM I HAVE BEEN YEARNING FOR! – P rogram Participant
ABOUT US
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
ABOUT US 4
MISSION
Wilderness Torah promotes healing,
belonging, and resilience. We awaken
HEALING, BELONGING, AND RESILIENCE
and celebrate earth-based Jewish
traditions through inclusive and
intergenerational village-building.
Challenges are For many of us, the world’s challenges—and
our own—can seem to be mounting every-
Judaism arose from an agricultural society
closely related to nature’s cycles. Over our
mounting everywhere where we turn. There is disconnect with the
self, community, earth, and Spirit.
Jewish history of repeated exile and trauma,
we became increasingly disconnected from
VISION we turn. our earth-based roots.
A vibrant, resilient world, where We’re facing:
humanity remembers how to care for
each other and our precious earth. • Climate crisis
• Nature-deficit disorder
• Social isolation
• Mental health epidemic
• Lack of safe, authentic community spaces
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
ABOUT US 5
TRANSFORMING JEWISH LIFE
WHAT IS EARTH-BASED JUDAISM?
Earth-based Judaism is a movement to
Wilderness Torah fosters Wilderness Torah is a pioneer and leader
in the earth-based Judaism movement—a
In the last seven years (2016-2022), we've
served over 11,000 at our festival, communi-
reinvigorate Jewish traditions that guide us
back into regenerative life ways. Earth-
vibrant village life that response to “nature-deficit disorder” and loss
of communal village structures that long ago
ty, and youth programs.
based Jewish practices reweave the fabric
of resilient, Jewish village life, and inspire
reconnects us to self, underpinned Jewish life and well-being. Over the next six years, we plan to serve
almost 30,000 people in those same core
and cultivate ethos and action toward the
stewardship of our precious earth.
community, earth, Wilderness Torah began in 2007 to mentor program areas.
and Spirit. and initiate people to thrive at each life stage;
reweave the fabric of resilient village life; cul- Our diverse, intergenerational community
tivate love and stewardship for our precious members are all ages, all denominations,
earth; and reinvigorate Jewish traditions that and hail from all over the United States and
guide us back into regenerative life ways. across the world.
VILLAGE-
WILDERNESS TORAH SERVED OVER 11,000 PEOPLE IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS (2016-2022).
OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS, WE PLAN TO SERVE ALMOST 30,000 PEOPLE IN THESE PROGRAM AREAS AND OTHERS:
BUILDING 9,800 11,342 5,466
We thrive by supporting each other to heal,
find our gifts, and serve in community. FE S T IVAL S COMMUNIT Y PR OGRA MS YOUTH PROGRA MS
Youth are mentored to discover their truth;
adults are initiated to steward that which
is greater than themselves; and elders
are honored for their life experience and
earned wisdom. The village becomes a con-
text for collaborative leadership, mutuality,
celebration, and radical inclusivity.
In Wilderness Torah’s Village, we learn
to live on earth informed by deeply
rooted Jewish tradition while seeking
and integrating the revelations needed
for today.
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
ABOUT US 6
CULTURE CHANGE
TRANSFORMING JEWISH LIFE, CONT.
In the past 15 years, we have demonstrated how an earth-based approach
widens the doorway to a meaningful Jewish life while catalyzing a healing and
reciprocal relationship with the Earth. This work happens through:
We need extraordinary culture change
to meet today's challenges.
Wilderness Torah is committed to honoring
the 7-year Shmita (sabbatical) cycle. During the
Shmita year, tradition instructs us to rest the
land, release debt, and renew ourselves for
the next cycle. We took the Shmita year 5782
Cherished, multigenerational Youth programs that seed a new
(2021-2022) to slow down, deeply reflect, and
community festivals, like Passover in generation of leaders; these in-person,
take the next step in our evolution. We devel-
the Desert and Sukkot In-Gathering mentor-led, nature-based, rite-of-
passage experiences set a new standard oped this strategic planning process aligned
for regenerative Jewish education with our evolving values:
• Focusing on community
• Embodying the change we envision
• Evolving cultural dynamics to become a
more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just
organization and community
We’ve honed our mission, clarified a bold vision, and created potent strategies. Our new theory
Mentoring initiatives Leadership in the field of Jewish Outdoor of change articulates our core values and approaches that help us realize our vision.
Food, Farming and Environmental
Education (JOFEE) and the wider Jewish
community
In Wilderness Torah’s Village, we learn I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL TO WILDERNESS TORAH FOR HELPING CONNECT
to live on earth informed by deeply ME BACK TO AN ANCIENT EARTH-BASED FORM OF JUDAISM WHICH I FEEL
rooted Jewish tradition while seeking IS SO RELEVANT FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I FEEL LIKE I’M ON A PATH
and integrating the revelations needed TO REINTEGRATING JEWISH TRADITION AND SEASONAL CYCLES IN MY
for today. FAMILY’S LIFE.
– Yom Kippur participant
THEORY OF CHANGE
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
T H EO RY O F C H A N G E 8
INCLUSIVE, INTERGENERATIONAL
WILDERNESS TORAH IS
VILLAGE-BUILDING
FILLING THE JEWISH NEED The village becomes a CULTURE OF INITIATION
We honor, empower, and initiate people at all
MENTORSHIP
We see the inherent gifts in each other
FOR ROOTED SPIRITUAL context for collaborative life stages. and support the growth of our full human
CONNECTION WITH leadership, mutuality, COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP
potential.
THE EARTH. celebration, and Centers shared leadership and responsibility
radical inclusivity.
for each other and the earth.
– Community Member
THEORY OF CHANGE
CORE
COMPETENCIES STEPS OF CHANGE VISION
MENTORSHIP A network of
inclusive and Earth and humanity A VIBRANT, RESILIENT WORLD,
There is increased More individuals
COMMUNITY Jewish practice intergenerational are in harmonious, WHERE HUMANITY REMEMBERS
understanding of connect to
and ritual is villages develops, sustainable relation-
Judaism's earth- meaningful Jewish HOW TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER
MOVEMENT- based roots. experiences.
revitalized. proliferates, ship. Our culture is
BUILDING and thrives. transformed. AND OUR PRECIOUS EARTH.
VA LU E S
HEALING BELONGING RESILIENCE
STRATEGIC
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
S T R AT EG I C P R I O R I T I E S 10
THE CENTER FOR EARTH-BASED JUDAISM
Together we will build the Center as a
Bay Area hub and national training
ground for regenerative Jewish
culture, climate change resiliency,
and inclusive community.
In collaboration with URJ Camp Newman, Wilderness Torah is realizing
its founding vision of launching the Center for Earth-Based Judaism.
The Center is a cross-cutting initiative that enhances our ability to host
experiential and immersive experiences.
VISION
Beautiful flowing
waterfall, ideally year
round. A place to hike
to, rest, find peace.
VISION
CURRENT Permaculture perennial
Center for Earth- plantings. Accessible loca-
Based Judaism land tion for maintenance and
hands-on workshops and
community interaction.W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
ABOUT US 11
CENTER FOR EARTH-BASED JUDAISM, CONT.
TOGETHER WE ARE BUILDING A LONG-TERM COLLABORATION BASED
ON JEWISH VALUES AIMED AT CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY. …WE
BELIEVE THAT WE WILL CREATE A SYNERGISTIC PARTNERSHIP AT
CAMP NEWMAN THAT WILL SERVE THE BROADER COMMUNITY MORE
POWERFULLY THAN OUR ORGANIZATIONS CAN DO SEPARATELY.
– Ruben Arquilevich
VICE PRESIDENT FOR URJ CAMPS, NFTY AND IMMERSIVES &
FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAMP NEWMAN
SITE PLAN
1. Welcome Pavilion 5. Classroom, 9. Camping Areas 13. Waterfall
2. Kids and Family Area Workshop Space 10. Rain Gardens 14. Main Parking
3. Ceremony Space, 6. Ancestral Skills Areas 11. Rain Tank 15. ADA/ Unloading
Sacred Fire 7. Terraced Gardens 12. Existing Pond 16. Overflow Parking
4. Staff Area 8. Orchard
PROGRAM
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Ongoing building and development with Camp Newman
TIMELINE WORKSHOPS AND HANDS-ON BUILDING
HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Workshops and Hands-On Land Development 2023
Shavuot In-Gathering 2025
We will build the Center for Earth-Based High Holidays 2024
Judaism at URJ Camp Newman through
permaculture design and hands-on Sukkot 2024
community build workshops. The
Center will be home to our regional SHABBAT EXPERIENCES Shabbaton 2024
and national programs.
YOUTH AND FAMILY EXPERIENCES Family Camp 2025
B'Naiture 2024
Wilderness Torah Fellowship 2026W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
S T R AT EG I C P R I O R I T I E S 12
STRATEGIES
What do we mean? How will we get there?
Our regional Bay Area village is the heart of who we serve. We • Provide year-round programs and community support
STRENGTHEN OUR BAY commit to invest more deeply in village life, showcasing how
offerings.
AREA REGIONAL VILLAGE a locally-rooted, intergenerational community with shared
• Embed shared leadership, mentorship, and a culture
of initiation across all aspects of village life.
leadership, mentorship, and a culture of initiation can build a • Enhance our annual cycle of multigenerational, land-
more resilient future. based events.
• Grow and deepen programming in the Bay Area for youth
and families with young children.
• Grow and deepen local teen programming.
We will scale our programs to reach new audiences and • Leverage partnerships to disseminate successful
EXPAND OUR REACH AND pursue opportunities to build and grow the movement of
programs and curricula nationally.
SCALE THE MOVEMENT OF earth-based Judaism nationally.
• Train and initiate other national Jewish leaders into
the movement.
EARTH-BASED JUDAISM • Increase awareness of earth-based Judaism through
content creation and thought leadership.
We will embody diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice (DEIJ) • Invest in our cultural evolution “from the inside out,”
INTEGRATE SOCIAL JUSTICE in the work that we do, building a community where all feel
embedding diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice
AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE seen, respected, and reflected in the leadership. We will work
across our culture and operations.
• Center and create space for Indigenous solidarity.
THROUGHOUT OUR WORK to dismantle white supremacy patterns and culture in our • Engage in climate change resilience at the Center for
organization and programs. We will work toward solidarity Earth-Based Judaism.
with regional Indigenous communities. We will partner with
other communities to steward and protect the future of the
earth we all share.
We will build the organization’s capacity to deliver on our • Build a revenue model for long-term financial
BUILD A STRONG, REGEN- strategic priorities at a high level, becoming both financially
sustainability.
ERATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL secure and operationally sound, and ensuring we are staffed
• Invest in and evolve our staff and leadership teams.
INFRASTRUCTURE appropriately at both the lay and professional levels.
• Strengthen and grow our board.W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N 14
TIMELINE & MILESTONES
REGIONAL VILLAGE PROGRAM TIMELINE: BUILDING THE MOVEMENT OF EARTH-BASED JUDAISM
Our regional Bay Area 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
village is the heart of Existing programs remain ongoing with program growth over time. This includes regular Shabbat activities, festivals and holidays,
B'Hootz and B'naiture programs, Neshama Quests, and existing leadership development opportunities.
who we serve. CENTERING LEADERSHIP Adult and Elder Initiatory Programs 2024
Village Angels 2023
Shomrim 2023
CREATING SAFE, JUST, EQUITABLE, Affinity Groups 2023
AND DIVERSE SPACES
Shared Learning and Partnership with Marginalized Communities 2023
INVESTING IN YOUTH AND FAMILIES Young Family Programs and Festival Spaces 2022 –2023
MILESTONES
GOAL 1 BUILD THE BAY VILLAGE GOAL 2 SCALE THE MOVEMENT GOAL 3 UPLIFT JUSTICE AND RESILIENCE
• Launch family programs by 2022 and a • Build first national partnership for • Implement DEIJ and Indigenous solidarity
family camp by 2024. Neshama Quest by 2023. as a major focus of our organization.
• Launch membership model by July 2024. • Launch Residential Wilderness Torah
• Launch programs at the Center by 2024. Fellowship in 2026.
• Triple regional program participation • Expand Wilderness Torah as a national
by 2029. thought leader in earth-based Judaism.
• Support our community members in
becoming more connected to self, to
community, and to nature/earth. WILDERNESS TORAH IS REKINDLING THE SPARK IN PEOPLE'S SOULS BY
• Grow festival programming into BRINGING THEM TOGETHER, EXCAVATING MEANING FROM JEWISH RITUALS,
destination events for our regional
and national participants. AND DOING SO BY WEAVING IT ALL TOGETHER WITH NATURE/THE LAND.
– Community MemberW I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N 15
FINANCIALS & STAFFING $5M
Wilderness Torah financial projections for
INCOME
the next seven years are shaped by two core
beliefs: EARNED REVENUE $4M
CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS
1. Invest in professionalizing our work at a
deeper level to ensure a more sustainable $3M
operational approach.
EXPENSES
2. Our people are the program.
OPERATIONS
DIRECT PROGRAM EXPENSES
$2M
PERSONNEL: SALARIES, BENEFITS, TAXES
REVENUE
$1M
Revenue is derived from both philanthropic
support as well as earned revenue. Philan-
thropic support will include funding from
new and current sources. Earned revenue will 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Forecast
come from a new membership model and
program fees.
EXECUTIVE TEAM NEW PROGRAM STAFFING
RABBI AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 2023 2024 2025
Responsible for new program development, Responsible for fundraising and organization- Director of Finance and Program Director Director of Partnerships/
curriculum development, spiritual offerings, al development. Works in collaboration with Operations National Initiatives
Clergy/Spiritual Leader
and thought leadership. Serves as spiritu- Executive Team.
Community Programs Youth Program
al leader and mentors new clergy and the Center Program Manager
Manager Manager
Village Angels. Works in collaboration with PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Neshama Quest Program
Executive Team. Responsible for program development and Indigenous Solidarity Grants/Sponsorship
Manager
implementation, collaborating closely with Coordinator Coordinator
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Creative Director. Works in collaboration with Community Programs
Development Associate
Responsible for finance, operations, and Executive Team. Manager
organizational culture. Works in collaboration Community Programs
with Executive Team. Coordinator
Adult Initiatory Program
ManagerTHANK YOU
W I L D E R N E S S TO R A H
T H A N K YO U 17
JOIN THE VILLAGE, BUILD THE MOVEMENT
FOLLOW US What would a more We need your help to get there. The deepen-
ing of this work requires everyone. Through
WILL YOU JOIN US?
@wildernesstorah resilient world look mentorship, community, and movement-
building, we all have unique strengths and
Your support, gifts, and involvement
are crucial. Thank you for all that you’ve
youtube.com/wildernesstorah like, where humanity gifts to contribute. We honor, empower, and
already done. We look forward to
partnering with you.
info@wildernesstorah.org
remembers how to initiate people at all life stages—so we can
all play a meaningful role in creating a more
Visit wildernesstorah.org/strategic-plan
care for earth and
to learn more and email
resilient world. info@wildernesstorah.org
wildernesstorah.org
each other?
to start the conversation.
Contribute to the future:
wildernesstorah.org/donate
GRATITUDE
Our ADVISORY TEAM for Our BOARD OF DIRECTORS Our STRATEGIC PARTNERS Our FUNDERS who
leading the way for steering the process for your thoughtful input contributed directly to this
towards the future process: The Fred Isaac
Fund and Jared Gellert
We extend our deepest gratitude to
everyone who has contributed to this
strategic planning process.
Our STAFF for your invaluable Our COMMUNITY for your Our STAKEHOLDERS for THIRD PLATEAU for
feedback and soulful work participation at the town hall investing your time in building guiding us in a thorough
every day and your constant support a brighter future and methodical process
THIS IS HOW WE WE'RE MEANT TO LIVE: IN COMMUNITY, IN PRAYER, IN HARMONY
WITH NATURE. IN A WORLD WHERE WE’VE WANDERED TOO FAR FROM OUR ROOTS,
I’M GRATEFUL TO WILDERNESS TORAH FOR PROVIDING A PATHWAY HOME.
– Passover in the Desert participantֶאֶמת ֵמֶא ֶרץ ִתְצָמח
Truth will sprout from the earth.
PSALM 85:12
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