Boston Globe 12/2/13: Congregation joins Judaism with nature. Rabbi Katy Z. Allen and her tiny congregation make their way through the woods on a windy autumn morning, stopping now and then to sing and pray portions of the Shabbat service. They reach the Wachusett Reservoir and spread out along the water’s edge to collect wild cranberries, slowly filling their buckets. A meditative quiet settles in. “You can think of your picking as part of your prayer today,” Allen tells the group as they begin. “As we prepare to harvest the bounty of the earth, let’s take a moment to feel the earth beneath our feet, and enjoy the warmth of the sun on our faces and our backs.” Many congregations from across the religious spectrum hold the occasional outdoor service, but Allen’s gathering of Jewish environmentalists and nature lovers almost always worships outside.
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