B’naiture
B’naiture
A one-of-a-kind outdoor Jewish rite-of-passage for middle schoolers
to unplug, connect, and grow.
Wilderness Coming-of-Age Journey
Begin in 6th or 7th Grade
B’naiture is our award-winning, two-year experiential program for youth entering 6th or 7th grade. B’naiture supports the transition from childhood to adolescence through mentorship, deep nature connection and Jewish wisdom.
This program both supplements traditional B’Mitzvah education and serves families who do not choose to undertake a traditional track.
Our next two-year cohort runs October 2024 – May 2026 in the East Bay, with camping trips held in the wilderness of the greater Bay Area.
Pedagogy
B’naiture is a coming-of-age journey from childhood into adolescence. Our program supports the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual passage of youth into adolescence, where one opens to greater awareness of self and the world. Experienced adult and teen mentors guide each group using our four worlds holistic mentoring curriculum. Learn more about our pedagogy here.
Approach to Diversity & Inclusivity
We welcome people of all backgrounds including those who identify as Jews, those who identify as something else, those whose Jewish identity feels complicated, interfaith families, gender expansive youth, LGBTQ families, and people of all racial and ethnic identities who want to join our vibrant, unique community!
Before B’naiture my son felt disconnected from his formal Jewish education and resented his participation in traditional Hebrew School. We took a leap of faith and let him find a different program of his choosing. He found B’naiture and we found peace. He is now connected to Judaism, nature, and his community. He even asked if he could have a Bar Mitzvah.
B’naiture parent 2020-21 SeasonB’naiture Parent Testimonials
I feel so much appreciation for the experience you are providing these children. Thank you for supporting their growth and their coming into their own lives.
B’naiture parent Spring 2022AMAAAZING!!! I am SOOO THRILLED that our son is participating in this INCREDIBLE program…it’s like a dream come true for me!!! THANK YOU for making my dream come true!!!
B’naiture parent 2022This groundbreaking program weaves Jewish teachings, story, and song with personal challenges, outdoor skills, individual mentorship, peer group community building, and nature awareness activities. We aim to provide a holistic coming-of-age experience to support youth in navigating and thriving within the complex world of Bay Area teenagehood.
Your child will join a tight-knit group of middle schoolers on a two-year journey into adolescence.
Along the way, they will gain insights about life, relationships, and Jewish identity, while developing a deep connection with the local ecology.
Parents are included in the experience, with scheduled check-ins and special programming to support the whole family through this rich and dynamic transitional time.
Every School Year Includes:
2024-25 Schedule, Locations, and Times
2024 Remaining Meeting Dates & Times
May 2024
- Thursday, May 9 – Sunday, May 12 (Spring Camping Trip)
- Wednesday, May 22 (2nd Year Cohort Only)
Locations
B’naiture Sundays and Wednesdays are held in the East Bay hills and shoreline parks, as well as community families’ backyards. You will be updated in advance of each session. Exact locations shared after registering.
2024-25 Meeting Dates & Times
B’naiture meeting times are listed below. Exact dates appear in the list that follows.
- Sundays, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm unless otherwise noted
- Wednesdays, 5:00–8:00 pm
- Camping trips start at 3 pm on Thursdays or Fridays. Ending times vary.
- In case of a need to cancel due to weather, we have 3 make-up dates. Please hold these in your calendar, as well.
October 2024
- Sunday, October 6 (10:30 am – 2:30 pm)
- Wednesday, October 23
- Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27 (Fall Camping Trip)
November 2024
- Sunday, November 10
December 2024
- Wednesday, December 4 (includes Parent Program)
- Sunday, December 15
January 2025
- Sunday, January 12
- Wednesday, January 22
- Friday, January 31 – Sunday, Feb 2 (Winter Camping Trip)
February 2025
- Wednesday, February 12 (includes Parent Program)
- Make-up Wednesday, February 19
March 2025
- Sunday, March 2
- Make-up Sunday, March 16
- Wednesday, March 19
April 2025
- Wednesday, April 23 (includes Parent Program)
May 2025
- Sunday, May 11
- Thursday, May 29 – Sunday, June 1 (Spring Camping Trip)
June 2025
Wednesday, June 4 (2nd Year Cohort Only)
Applying for B’naiture
Tuition
The following price reflects the real cost to implement this program. This includes, but is not limited to: high quality mentorship with a 4:1 youth-to-mentor ratio, thoughtful and well-integrated curriculum, parent program, camping trips, and all infrastructure and supplies.
3,350 per year*
*This rate may increase in year two due to various factors.
We can arrange payment plans and award some partial scholarships to families with financial need. You can indicate your interest in financial aid during the application process.
Questions about cancellations? Please read the Youth Programs Refund Policy.
Application Process
All youth and their parents must complete an application and join us for an interview to be accepted into B’naiture. We accept applications on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as you know you want to join, as we have limited spots available.
- When you are ready, Apply Here.
- Complete the application, including a section that youth are requested to fill out by themselves.
- After we receive your applications, we invite B’naiture applicants for a group interview with B’naiture staff. We schedule interviews from April through September.
- Once this process is complete, we will notify you about acceptance and registration.
- Once the program is full, additional applicants will be added to the waiting list.
Ready to Apply
Go to ApplicationInfo Session
Learn more about B’naiture in-person!
Info sessions are a great way to get a taste of our programs, have your questions answered, and meet our Youth Programs staff.
What you can expect:
- Youth get a taste of the B’naiture experience with our stellar mentor team
- Youth meet and connect with other potential participants
- Parents and mentors gather for introductions and to share a seasonal Jewish story
- Parents learn program details and have Q&A time with youth programs staff
We theme our info sessions (just like we plan our programs) around the rhythms of the Hebrew calendar, so everyone will walk away with a sense of how we, at Wilderness Torah, celebrate and engage the Jewish cycles.
Awards & Press
B’naiture is a Multi Award-Winning Youth Program
2019 Winner of Helen Diller Family Award for Excellence in Jewish Education
2019 Winner of Helen Diller Family Award for Excellence in Jewish EducationDaniel Schindelman Schoen, former Wilderness Torah Youth Program Director, earned this prestigious award for his innovative mentorship work in B’naiture and the other Wilderness Torah youth programs.
2017 Winner of Prestigious Prize for Educators
2017 Winner of Prestigious Prize for EducatorsAya Baron, former Youth Program Director and B’naiture Lead Mentor, was honored with the Natalia Twersky Award for her creative use of Jewish women’s stories in her teaching at B’naiture.
“Finalist Aya Baron is passionate about cultivating a regenerative Jewish culture, developing rites of passage experiences for youth, and working with adolescent girls. Her lesson plan [is designed] … to help young girls find their footing in the face of popular culture in ways that ignite their confidence, creativity, and self-expression.” Jewish Women’s Archive
B’naiture Wins National Prize
B’naiture Wins National PrizeB’naiture was one of six national winners of the Lippman Kanfer Prize for Applied Jewish Wisdom, recognizing programs that help people apply Jewish wisdom to live better lives and shape a better world.
“Wilderness Torah’s B’naiture program connects participants to deep Jewish wisdom to help them navigate the real issues facing them in adolescence. Their two-year journey is an excellent beginning to, rather than culmination of, their Jewish education in a way that positions Judaism as a source of guidance and support throughout their lives.” Aaron Dorfman, President of Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah
