Adamah Hosts First Midwest Campus Shabbaton

By Shoshana Bittker
Mar 10, 2026

College students gather at Tamarack for a weekend of Jewish environmental learning.

As the first Midwest Shabbaton organized by Adamah on Campus, February’s inaugural gathering surpassed expectations. The organization had anticipated welcoming 25 college students for the weekend at Tamarack Adventure and Retreat Center, but 30 ultimately took part.

“It all starts with the mission of cultivating vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the Earth,” says Shoshana Bittker, lead event staff and Adamah on Campus Midwest coordinator.

From Feb. 20-22, college students from across the Midwest passionate about environmental stewardship and strengthening leadership on their campuses came together for a meaningful weekend celebrating friendship, Jewish environmentalism, immersive outdoor experiences and deep connection.

The gathering unfolded at Camp Tamarack, where the snowy landscape added a sense of winter magic to the experience. “None of us knew it was going to snow,” Bittker recalls. “We woke up Sunday morning in a winter wonderland. Students jumped in the snow, made snow angels and took pictures, feeling that child-like sense of joy that comes from a snow day.”

Thanks to the generosity of Adamah donors, the full cost of the experience was covered for every participant. “The goal was to support and empower students to be Jewish environmental leaders and take that home to their own campuses and communities,” Bittker says.

Adventure and Learning

The weekend blended outdoor adventure with meaningful Jewish learning. “We really wanted this Shabbaton to be a place of respite and pure relaxation for these students,” Bittker says.

Programming included a pickling workshop and night hike, yoga and Zumba classes, Havdalah under the stars and a bonfire song session. Students participated in a seed-packing service project in partnership with Keep Growing Detroit and Repair the World.

“The students made the Shabbaton so beautiful beyond all expectations,” Bittker recalls. “They all entered

the space with such openness, passion and drive to get to know everyone in the room, embrace one another’s Shabbat traditions, and share their goals, joys and fears.

“You would have thought everyone knew each other for at least five years,” she adds.

Witnessing students form deep connections in a short amount of time and seeing them feel empowered to step into leadership roles throughout the weekend was meaningful to Adamah, a national Jewish environmental organization with a Detroit chapter that connects people to the planet through Jewish education, climate action and sustainability initiatives.

Some students stepped up to lead Saturday morning services, while others shared meditation practices or accompanied prayers on guitar.

“I think religiosity was a large part of the awe of the weekend,” Bittker says. “We had such a broad spectrum of practice, from Orthodox students to people questioning their Judaism and everything in between.”

Jewish Joy and Leadership

Every aspect of the Adamah on Campus Midwest Shabbaton was thoughtfully curated to center Jewish joy.

“Every student brought their own spirit and sparkle to this event, and that’s what made it so special and all-encompassing,” Bittker continues.

Walking away, Bittker hopes students feel empowered to serve as catalysts for change in their own communities. Campuses represented included the University of Michigan, Purdue University, Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, among others.

“These college students are all so diverse yet brought together through their environmental values,” she says. “I hope this connection lasts a long time, and I hope they feel supported by Adamah to take on these adventures throughout their college experiences and their lives.”

The Shabbaton was also made possible by support from the William Davidson Foundation and the Mandel Foundation, as well as Tamarack Adventure and Retreat Center for hosting and nourishing the group.

“This was the first-ever Adamah on Campus Midwest Shabbaton, and hopefully there are more to come,” Bittker says. “We’re receiving great feedback. One of the pillars of Adamah is to implement change through immersive experiences, Jewish education, leadership development and climate action. We were able to touch on all those things within one weekend together.”

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