Alon founded the Jewish Outdoors Club back in 96-97 back when he knew didley squat about organizing outdoors trips. Through trial and error (actually, lots of errors, fortunately no trials), he is now able to arrange events without a hitch (ha!). He currently lives in White Plains, NY, with his wife, Sheri, and three children, Rebecca, Talia and Eytan.

Alon is grateful to all the board members who have pitched in with their skills and their time, who keep JOC going strong. He hopes that the JOC will continue to grow for many years to come, and enhance the lives of Jews throughout the NY-NJ area through inspiring experiences in the great outdoors.

Maurie (yes, that really is her full name, and no, shes not related to Maury Povich) acquired her survival skills on the bad streets of Brooklyn, where she grew up. Four years at SUNY Binghamton taught her to brave any type of weather, and since then, Maurie has organized and participated in many trips that took place in climates that were less than ideal.

When she isnt busy planning JOC events, Maurie can be found playing with toys, moaning about her lack of sleep, and singing the praises of New Jersey. Shes also been voted most likely to be thrown from a raft by her own river guide.

The Aussie transplant. I joined the JOC to climb a mountain and meet a bear in the wild. While I have yet to meet a bear, I have met some amazing people as well as some smaller critters and I have zip-lined across Kaaterskill Falls. Being involved in the JOC is my way of contributing to an organization that provides an outlet for crossing items of my "to do wish list" with like minded individuals.

Sarah Gerber-Korman first got involved with the JOC when she was still Sarah Gerber (i.e. minus the "-Korman"). After a year of being a member and not receiving any emails, she finally got an email about a 2-day hiking event which interested her. She was impressed with the planning and organization, and having gotten friendly with that hike organizer, foolishly offered, "So, if there's any way I can help you in the future let me know".

And that was the beginning of the end. She managed registration and ride shares for that hike organizer for several hikes, many of which she actually attended.

That organizer asked her to attend one of the meetings and she did. When Alon asked what events people would like to see happen, she suggested skydiving because she had always wanted to go. His response, "So organize it." So she did.

She attended a few more meetings and before she knew it she was an official board member. One thing led to the next and after less than a year she was invited to take over as JOC secretary, a post she is now holding for the third year.

Although she is actually scared of heights, she has gone skydiving more than once. She enjoys almost everything outdoors--especially those events she doesn't have to plan. :-)

She is quite involved in the JOC, both as a participant and a board member and event organizer. She met her husband on a JOC hike and showed her dedication to the JOC by co-organizing a July 4th weekend in Lake Placid for 40 attendees less than two weeks before her wedding. She continues to enjoy hiking and other outdoors events with her husband, who also does his part for the JOC (although strictly unofficially).

When my plane landed at the tiny Kalispell airport in the middle of Montana, I had no idea what I was stepping into. I didn't expect to meet such a great group of friendly, easy going people ready to try all sorts of outdoors fun. But after five full 28 hour days of hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting, boating, etc. etc. etc... I was hooked. And then I met a mother moose on a monstrous Montana mountain and I knew there was no turning back! Now I've been well and truly bitten by the adventure bug and I'm on a mission to continue exploring the great outdoors. I love organizing trips to bring others together to join in the fun of horseback riding, apple picking, skiing, etc. etc. etc... Next time, I hope to see you there!

I grew up in Oak Park, Michigan, north of 8-mile, the northern Detroit border. When I moved to New York, I heard about Alon's fledgling hiking group. A few outings proved to be fun, exciting, and relaxing. The website is my way of contributing to this great group.

Moshe wanted to be on the governing body of a corporation, but have no duties or responsibilities. When he was asked to join the JOC board of directors as a Member at Large, he knew he found his calling.

Born in New York City and vacationed at his grandparents lake front home in New Jersey or at his other grandparents New Jersey dairy farm, Moshe developed a love for the outdoors at a young age. He also developed an appreciation of washable footwear. Much of his youth was spent outdoors, as he was frequently thrown out of class. He spent his formative years doing things that most boys do - causing mischief, climbing buildings, running amok and making fires. He hasn't changed since.

Jesse grew up in Long Island, NY and has been an outdoor enthusiast from an early age. He has spent extensive time hiking and camping throughout the Northeastern US and Israel. Jesse has been a member of JOC since 1998 and is regarded one of its most dedicated hikers and drivers. In his free time Jesse also enjoys inline skating, motorcycling, cooking, and reading. Jesse was awarded the coveted "Fanciest cars driven to a hike" at last years JOC awards as well as "MVP" at the last JOC Thanksgiving Trivia Contest.

Justin's first trips with the JOC, 10 class 5 rapids in only 9 hours, followed within a week by jumping out of a plane. A California native and the eldest of three he decided to venture east to experience the wonders of the nor easter. Justin is pretty laid-back (probably has to do with his West Coast upbringing), enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and kayaking/rafting, or just hanging around a park, but can often be found just kicking back with his wife and watching a good movie.

I had been on the JOC email list for about five years before I decided to actually join the group for a hike... now, several years later, I'm on the board and leading my own hikes -- go figure!

Hi, This is a great opportunity to bring together Jewish people from every walk of life in a healthy and natural environment.

Seth had developed his love of the outdoors after being left outside as a child as well as repeatedly on dates. His passions include intense hiking, waterfalls, and finding secluded swimming holes where inevitably someone pushes him in. As a hike leader, he has (almost) 100% survival rate.

On his hikes, he will regale you with tidbits of info on flaura and fauna as well as geology. You probably better double check in the info yourself.

When not in superhero garb chasing after his kids, he practicies optometry and dabbles in the dark arts of biblical archaeology and evolutionary psychology. The candle burnings had to cease due to forest fire hazard.

A proud Floridian who retired to New York at the ripe age of 21, I mask my disdain for sub-85 degree temperatures through weather-appropriate outdoor activities. I learned to snowboard as an adult on my JOC Newbie Ski & Snowboard trips, prefer the crazier hikes and rafting (except rafting in snow – too cold) and will try almost anything once as long as it’s pretty outside. Leaving behind city life for exertion in gorgeous scenery with an eclectic group of Jewish peeps keeps me sane and happy.

I was introduced into the JOC from Shani's Bryant Park ice skating event and stuck around ever since. My days are pretty much predictable working in Wall Street but when I leave the office and organize events for the JOC, the fun begins!!!