A California forest synagogue experiments with nature-based spirituality

Makom Shalom is a growing "forest synagogue" in Northern California that integrates Jewish tradition with environmentalism by holding services in redwood groves rather than traditional buildings. Led by Rabbi Zelig Golden, the nondenominational congregation emphasizes an "earth-based" Judaism that connects ancestral roots with nature, attracting members through outdoor rituals and a focus on ecological mindfulness.

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This article was published in Religion News Service on April 16, 2026 and was written by Andrew Esensten.