The Wandering Jews (TWJ)

Mosaic Outdoor Club of Washington State (MOCWA)

An affiliate of the Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America

Latest updates:

• 8/01/06:  TWJ is not actively leading hikes at this time.  Contact JConnect and its Hiking Group for information on hiking for Jewish young adults.
• 7/11/03: updated What To Bring
• 3/1/01: created
• 10/22/02: added What To Bring  and Leading Hikes links

Our Vision

The Wandering Jews is an outdoors club for Jews and friends of Jews in the Western Washington (primarily Puget Sound) area.  We hike, bike, ski, paddle, and schmooze throughout the year.  Most participants are Jews in their 20s, 30s and 40s.  Activities are scheduled irregularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out about future activities?  We have an email list.  Send your full name, email, and phone number to info@wanderingjews.org to join.  Activities are scheduled irregularly.  This website does not contain information regarding future activities.

How do I get there?  We generally meet at one of three meeting places and carpool to the destination.  

What should I bring/wear?  Participants are expected to bring equipment appropriate for the scheduled activity. The Mountaineers always check that every hiker brings "The Ten Essentials".  We will not check, but participants who are obviously not prepared (wearing sneakers, no water etc.) will be left behind. For more details, see this link.

When will we get back?  Contact the trip leader for estimates on how long the activity will take.  Often there will be one carpool for those who need to return promptly, and other carpools for those who want to get together for dinner after the hike or other activity.  The outdoors can be unpredictable, so we cannot guarantee return at any particular time.

How can I lead a hike?  See this link

Past Activities

These are some of the activities in which TWJ members have participated since this website was started, and for which we have photos.  This is only a small sample of our activities; we do something most weekends in the summers, once or twice a month in the winter, not counting parties and other non-outdoors activities.

Meeting Places

We generally meet to carpool to hikes and other activities from one of these three areas.  Be sure to check the trip announcement for the exact meeting place and time.

Burke Museum (map)

We generally meet at the Burke Museum for Sunday activities, when no parking pass is required.

From I-5, take the 45th Street (UW) exit east.  Continue past University Way.  Turn right on 17th Avenue.  The Burke Museum is immediately on your right.  If you plan to lead a carpool, park temporarily in front of the Burke Museum; otherwise, park in the lots to the south of the Burke Museum and meet up in front of the museum.

From SR520 Westbound: Take the Montlake exit and continue north past Husky Stadium. Follow the road to the right (east).  Turn left onto the viaduct just before University Village.  From the top of the hill, turn left on 17th Avenue.  The Burke Museum is immediately on your right.  If you plan to lead a carpool, park temporarily in front of the Burke Museum; otherwise, park in the lots to the south of the Burke Museum and meet up in front of the museum.

From SR520 Eastbound: Take the Montlake exit. Turn left onto Montlake Boulevard East crossing the freeway overpass and continue north past Husky Stadium. Follow the road to the right (east).  Turn left onto the viaduct just before University Village.  From the top of the hill, turn left on 17th Avenue.  The Burke Museum is immediately on your right.  If you plan to lead a carpool, park temporarily in front of the Burke Museum; otherwise, park in the lots to the south of the Burke Museum and meet up in front of the museum.

65th Street Park and Ride (map)

We generally meet at the 65th Street Park and Ride (north side) for activities on other days.

From I-5 Northbound: Take the 65th Street exit.  Continue straight through the stop sign and past the light at 65th.  The Park and Ride is on your left side.  Various groups gather here so be sure you are with the right group.

Issaquah Park and Ride (map)

We meet at the Issaquah Park and Ride for some activities on and beyond Snoqualmie Pass, so that Eastside residents do not have to cross Lake Washington unnecessarily.

From I-90 Eastbound: Take Exit 15 southbound (SR900 toward Renton).  The Park and Ride is a few blocks ahead on the left side.  Turn left on Newport Way, then left again into the Park and Ride.  We generally meet at the northwest corner of the lot (the far corner from that entrance), but if you don't find anyone there, look around.