Opinion: Climbing mountains and lake swimming: re-thinking rites of passage for Jewish youth

Each summer we, a group of volunteers, take 35-40 Bnei Mitzvah youth, each accompanied by a parent (a total of 90 people) to either Snowdonia or the Lake District for a weekend in July.

We take over a youth hostel and from there we climb two mountains, swim in lakes, have a Shabbat experience and raise lots of money for tzedakah. The wifi is useless so phones are out; what is in are ball games, wading in rivers, a spell-binding talk from the UK’s most acclaimed mountaineer Alan Hincks OBE on his summiting antics on Everest and K2, a whisky tasting experience for the parents sponsored by The Lakes Distillery, paddle boarding on Ullswater Lake, singing at mealtimes and a whole lot of fun.

It’s a weekend of connecting with nature, well-being, exercise, meeting new people and conversation.

There is no greater joy than seeing children or youth grow in confidence, witnessing their happiness and watching them overcome challenges and conquer fears.

Snowdon and Helvellyn are both considered to be tough challenges for those who have never climbed. Helvellyn in particular is not a straight forward mountain and both Striding Edge and Swirrals Edge, (the ridges and cliff faces at the top), can be pretty daunting.

The group supports each other, encourages each other and motivates each other aided by an incredible professional guiding team, and this results in a terrific group sense of achievement.

The summer cohort of 2023 was a particularly special one. Bnei Mitzvah launched the same year that Gesher opened its doors to its first cohort of pupils. The school was set up with the purpose and vision not only to educate and provide a safe and happy place for those with mild to moderate SEN, but also to be a beacon of positivity, championing inclusion in our community.

This year saw a group of Gesher pupils – our first Bnei Mitzvah cohort – join the challenge and the impact was palpable. Yes, it required extra thought, and extra resources but the difference it made to everyone on the trip was felt.

And that really does mean everyone. From the mountain guides, our team of volunteers, the parents of all the neuro-typical kids, the Gesher parents and perhaps most importantly, the kids themselves, there is enormous benefit to all when inclusion is practised with kindness, thought and purpose.

Participant Yitzi Katz told Jewish News: “I was so excited for the Bnei Mitzvah trip, I even raised over £1300 for my school Gesher for it – a school that has changed my life and I was even in the first group of students at the school. The walking was hard at first but I know that when you try anything you never know what you are capable so give it your best.”

Mark Cohen, father of participant Gadi and a governor at Gesher said they loved the whole challenge.

“Gadi had chosen a charity that means a lot to him – Medicinema, who give patients the chance to see new movies in hospitals.£

He tells Jewish News that the weekend away was “brilliant, with a fantastic cross-communal feeling between everyone, lots of food and fun. The hikes themselves were a really good level of challenge – tough, but manageable especially with the excellent support of the local guides.”

Describing the views at the top of Helvellyn as stunning., he adds that “the sense of physical achievement was heightened by the knowledge that the whole group had raised over £60k.”

To date Bnei Mitzvah has taken over 200 youth on its challenge and they have raised over £300,000 for over 75 different charities.

And this is what makes Bnei Mitzvah special. We are independent, aligned to no particular cause and we encourage the youth to pick a charity that means something to them. As Shabbat comes in and the sun sets behind the mountains that surround us, each child tells us why they have chosen their particular cause and their motivations are inspiring. I will never forget the child who fundraised for Great Ormond Street because they saved her life as a baby.

One of the observations worth identifying is perhaps the shift in charitable focus. Seven years ago almost all our Bnei Mitzvah raised money almost exclusively for Jewish charities. But over time this has changed and more and more of our Bnei Mitzvah are choosing to raise money for environmental causes. It tells us much about their concerns, and motivations and as adults we should be listening to their voices.

All three of my children have now taken part in the programme. They have raised over £6,000 between them and have banked some incredible memories. I am forever grateful for the conversation in shul with Natalie Jackson that sparked an idea that has grown into an annual event.

For more information on Bnei Mitzvah challenge and to book your child’s place ,please click here. The Bnei Mitzvah Challenge wishes to thank their team of amazing volunteers, spearheaded by Matt Jackson and their sponsors Israel Bonds and The Jewish Holiday Fund.

• Sarah Sultman is co-founder of the Bnei Mitzvah Challenge