Jewish Outdoors Club
The Jewish Outdoors Club (JOC) is a non-profit organization located in The New York Metropolitan area. It's stated purpose is to "Bring Jews Together to Explore and Get Lost in the Great Outdoors". The club was founded in 1997 by Alon Krausz, and has grown to 1900 members in 2007. The club caters mostly to a Modern Orthodox crowd, and all events are Kosher and Sabbath Observant.
History
- The Jewish Outdoors Club traces its origins to the summer of 1997 with sporadic small hikes led by Alon that were publicized through word of mouth.
- In 1998, an email list was established, and events started becoming organized on a more regular basis.
- In 2001, the JOC had its first weeklong event - a 10 day trip to Escalante National Monument in Utah
- In 2005, a governing board was created, and responsibilities for organizing events, as well as for behind the scenes work, was taken on by a core group of dedicated volunteers.
- In 2005, the Boston Jewish Outdoors Club (BJOC) was formed by two former JOCers, Gedalia Pasternak and Paul Hurwitz.
- In 2006, the JOC joined the fight against recalcitrant husbands by banning all men who refuse to grant a get to their (former) wives.