In the German Alps, Families Enjoy Yoga to Raft Building to Cuban Music on Havdalah
A low, drawn-out "Shaaloooommm" resounded through the early morning fog. At the Hotel Schillingshof in Bad Kohlgrub, Germany, the Bibliyoga Workshop had just come to an end. After morning acrobatic exercises that were combined with Torah and Talmud interpretations, the participants now were heading off to the breakfast buffet. "A lot of it was so simple, and at the same time so inspired," bubbled Malene, a Munich artist. Marcus, who had flown in from London specially to run the workshop, smiled modestly.
More than twenty-five families, a total of one hundred people, had come together in the Ammergau Alps for a family seminar before Rosh Hashanah. A good mixture of long-established community members and Russian immigrants, as well as families representing the full spectrum of religious observance – traditional, Orthodox, liberal, and completely secular – provided for the excellent atmosphere of the weekend.
The event was organized by the Munich Youth Center in cooperation with the JDC, with generous support provided to the trend-setting mini-machine (camp) by the Federal Ministry for Migration and Refugees, as well as the Chais Family Foundation (USA).
Against a gorgeous backdrop, workshops for every age group and interest were offered from Friday through Sunday. The children and teenagers enjoyed a magic workshop, a fairytale-telling session, and an outdoor "survival" activity in which they had to orient themselves with the use of a compass, while the parents discussed Jewish pedagogical concepts or compared notes on their experiences with the media and the broader society during the Lebanon war. "There's a tremendous need to talk, but no space within the community where the families can meet and swap ideas," said Stanislaw, director of the Munich Youth Center. All of the seminar participants unanimously confirmed his observations. As a result, another of the workshops, led by Rabbi Langnas of Munich, dealt with the sometimes challenging relationship between families and the Jewish community as an institution. "If we offer open pathways for an exchange of ideas, then people will quickly find their way to the community," Stanislaw declared.
The Havdalah ceremony on Saturday evening turned out to be especially spiritual. After a traditional Orthodox religious service, the Cuban band Chango Cuba, which was slated to play later at the Latino party, was called in on the spot by Rabbi Goldberger. Then the Havdalah ceremony was performed in total darkness, with spicy rhythms on the guitar. It was an extraordinary spiritual experience for all of the participants. "Naturally, we've never done anything like that before," said Chris, the band's lead singer, humbled.
One of the closing highlights was the raft-building workshop, open to all age groups. Three competing groups used truck inner tubes, planks, and ropes to build a float, which they paddled on the lake to determine a winner. "I can untie the emotional knots, but I can't manage this one," joked Natan, who had conducted the workshop "Peaceful Family–Hostile Environment." And that may be the reason why his group didn't win the paddling contest. The winning group was led by Elica, who had a degree in naval engineering.
Because of the great enthusiasm and excellent feedback about the weekend, the hotel was immediately reserved for the same weekend next year. In partnership with a major local Jewish German institution and local Jewish communities, JDC, with support from the Chais Family Foundation, aims to make these this types of family seminars a regular tradition and to expand them to communities throughout Germany.
"There is just one improvement that the participants would like to see," shared Mimi, director of JDC's Bambinim children's program in Berlin and one of the family camp organizers. "…that the gefilte fish not be served warm next time, please." For certain, the highly motivated and helpful staff of the hotel will be a bit more familiar with kosher eating habits next year.
November 2006
