Kane Street Walkers
Join other pedestrian seekers as we take to the green spaces and sidewalks of Brooklyn. Our walks (see past examples below) explore local nature, parks, and history with Jewish teachings and reflections, and are a wonderful way to meet new people and expand your Jewish journey. Let us know if you are interested in serving as a lead walker or planning outings.
Some of Our Past Walks
Passover Walks: Blessing of Spring Trees and Flowers
Embrace the Jewish practice of blessing budding trees and blooming flowers, especially in fields and gardens, during Nisan (the first month of Spring). We’ll learn about and recite tree blessings on our walks through Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery.
Shavuot: A First Fruits Pilgrimage Through Prospect Park
Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors as we evoke the ancient First Fruits ritual by exploring the ongoing spiritual significance behind the seven species that were once offered at the Temple. Walkers are encouraged to bring seven species foods (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates), or others more locally in season, to sample as we walk, learn, and experience this festival of nature and agriculture outdoors.
Tu BiShvat Walk: Great Trees of Green-Wood
Celebrate the New Year of the Trees by communing with some of the great trees of Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and Level III Arboretum that is home to almost 7,000 trees. See our Tree Walk Seder Resource.
Jewish Sites & History of Downtown Brooklyn
A tour of downtown Brooklyn Jewish history with Kane Street historian and archivist Judy Greenwald.
Brooklyn Birding
Observe the height of spring migration in NYC and help us mark World Migratory Bird Day, which promotes awareness of birds and environmental issues affecting them, with this walk in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Read this birding introduction and what you need to know before joining this walk, from Kane Street birder Marisa Wohl.
Brooklyn Phenology: Track Spring’s Arrival
Become a phenological observer and identify the arrival of spring in Brooklyn. Phenology is the study of the annual life cycle events of all plant and animal species, as primarily marked by the changing of seasons. We’ll explore and observe nature in areas that make up Green-Wood’s Phenology Project and look at Jewish teachings related to spring and the changing of seasons.
Fort Greene Park Tree Trail
Explore and experience the relationship that Passover promotes between the spring and freedom with this walk to and along Fort Greene’s Park’s Tree Trail, including its blossoming magnolias, and ending at the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument.
The Cedars of Lebanon
See the trees that inspired the composer of Psalm 92, popularly sung on Kabbalat Shabbat. We’ll walk to some of Green-Wood’s great Cedars of Lebanon to appreciate them and look at Jewish texts and teachings that have evoked and reflected on these impressive specimens.
Return to Nature: New Year Apple Tasting and Walk
Prospect Park
Kane Streeters of all ages join us for an ecological return ahead of the earth’s birthday on Rosh HaShanah, with apple tasting, seasonal reflections, and Shofar blowing as we conclude our walk at The Donald and Barbara Zucker Natural Exploration Area. Sign Up to Come
High Holiday Season Cemetery Visit
Green-Wood Cemetery
Participate in the practice of visiting graves ahead of Rosh HaShanah. Remembering Tzadikim, Congregants, and Loved Ones offers practices and reflections on the meaning of this tradition to support our visit and/or your own.