After a long day of travel on Sunday all PanimWorks participants gathered at base camp for the start of an amazing journey.  During orientation, we spoke about how the service (avodah in Hebrew) that we will be doing on the reservation will be a shared effort with our hosts and the community of which we will become a part.  Our avodah will help facilitate cultural exchange, enabling us to learn about Native American culture, share our Jewish traditions and deepen our Jewish identities.

 It has been simply magical for me to watch our diverse community, representing various denominations, hometowns and backgrounds, come together as a family in less than a day.  There is something mystical about the collective history and shared roots of the Jewish people that enables us to create meaningful bonds with one another in such a short period of time. 

Today we loaded our trailers and vans, packed with tools, tents and food for the next eight days on the reservation.   Each group, overflowing with excitement, departed Base Camp headed to individual camp sites for a day of hiking, camping and further group preparation before meeting their Navajo and Hopi hosts on Tuesday.  I feel so blessed to be a part of  this talented group, so open to help build, and be built throughout the PanimWorks experience.

After days of planning, packing food and service gear, opening day has finally arrived!  PanimWorks staff spent yesterday sharing an amazing Shabbat with our Deer Hill staff, filled with song and laughter.  As nightfall set in, we made Havdallah, the traditional ritual of drawing a distinction between the sabbath, a time of rest and reflection, and the remainder of the week.  Shabbat provided us a much needed rest to refuel for the hard work and service to come on the Reservation.

Waking up this morning, base camp was filled with a contagious enthusiasm as we await the arrival of PanimWorks participants.  The excitement is building!

Andy PanimWorks Staff (Cleveland, OH)

Welcome PanimWorks participants, family and friends!  We are less than a week away from the beginning of the first session.  This summer we will have over 80 Jewish high school student over both summer sessions from across the across the country living and working together in the Southwest.  Through our study, service and outdoor leadership we will learn about ourselves, and our Navajo and Hopi hosts. 

I just arrived to base camp in Mancos, Colorado.  The weather here at 7,000 ft is a beautiful 75 degrees.  It has been a long day of travel, but the sight of Mesa Verde in the distance has been an inspiring sight to look at from base camp.  Please feel free to be in touch with any questions as you prepare for your trip.  Stay connected to the PanimWorks blog for regular update later in the week. 

Looking forward to greeting everyone at base camp!

Andy