We are working to grow our capacity to support accessibility at Melacha U'Vracha.
At this time, this event and its location are not fully accessible. We hope to improve this with each year, as much as is possible. Please reach out if you have questions about whether this gathering can meet your access needs.
Here is some current information about accessibility at the gathering:
Mobility & Physical Accessibility:
The gathering will be held primarily outdoors on a farm, in woods, and meadows on uneven ground. The gathering site is situated on a hillside in the mountains, requiring walking up and down the hill.
Workshop spaces will be rustic and mostly in a centralized location, with walking required. Some classes will be at the top of the hill and some at the bottom, in and around the barn.
Seating: Chairs are not provided; we recommend bringing your own seating that best meets your needs.
Due to the rugged outdoor nature of this event, it is not wheelchair accessible.
Food & Dietary Needs:
Kitchen will be fully kosher and dairy-free. Currently, there is no mashgiach. All of our Shochets have been trained and certified by someone with Conservative smicha.
Breakfast and dinner will be provided for all participants. Participants need to bring their own lunch. Refrigeration is not provided. Please plan to bring your own secure, bear-proof container to store your food in.
We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free diets.
Self-organized communal camping-kitchen is totally welcome!
Religious Accessibility:
There is a wide range of religious observance at Melacha U’Vracha, and our goal is to create a gathering that includes and welcomes this diversity.
Each morning, we will have an array of prayer offerings, including Avodat Lev (musical prayers) and a traditional egalitarian minyan.
The kitchen will be Kosher. All meals will be parve (vegetarian), except for what we shecht (ritually slaughter) and serve on Shabbat – sheep and poultry. Our beloved Shochets have been trained by someone with Conservative smicha.
We do not have the capacity to build an Eruv, but we can provide the supplies to build one. For those who want or need one for Shabbat, we need a volunteer to come early to build it. Let us know if you're willing to do that!
General Space:
Spaces generally will not be lit once the sun goes down. You will need to bring a headlamp to navigate at night.
Bathrooms are all-gender private composting toilets. You can pee outside, anywhere on the land!
There are no showers available on the property.
Sleeping Arrangements:
Camping: Lodging is primarily camping with tents or tarps with your own camping gear. Camping is in the woods or an open field. A family camp and accessible camping area will be available closer to the main camp.
Folks will be able to drive up near their campsites and drop their gear, but cars will be parked in a separate location. Car camping is not available.
A limited number of indoor sleeping arrangements are available for elders and those with access needs. Please note on your registration form if this is you.
Children & Families:
There will be a family camping area near the main camp, and programming specifically for kids in the morning block, run by our family coordinator.
Parents will be responsible for childcare and supervision during the afternoon workshop blocks and evenings, but are welcome to bring their children to adult workshops, with instructor approval.
Medical Support:
The gathering will take place primarily outdoors with exposure to elements like sun, heat, humidity, cold, rain, and wind. There are also ticks and poison ivy on this property. Additionally, there has been variable air quality throughout the northeast this summer due to ongoing wildfires in Canada.
Please plan ahead and bring all of your own medications, first aid supplies and other forms of protection/support/comfort you may need for the duration of the gathering.
A self-serve first aid station will be set up to provide basic medical supplies to all participants and a medical team will be on site at all times for support during medical emergencies.
COVID 19 & Communicable Illness:
The gathering is mostly outdoors, with the exception of some workshops happening inside of the barn. Masks are not required.
COVID testing is recommended before arriving, but not required.
If you are experiencing symptoms of illness that may be contagious, please stay home.