(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rabbi David Levinsky, spiritual leader at Park City's Temple Har Shalom, tacks an Israeli flag to Sunset Cabin at Deer Valley Resort, affectionately referred to as "Ski Shul," by its members. The visual cue lets skiers know that Friday's afternoon service on the mountain is about to begin.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) As a day of carving turns comes to a close, skiers congregate at the Sunset Cabin near the top of Deer Valley Resort for an only ski-in, ski-out Friday afternoon Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath service. Held during the winter season Rabbi David Levinsky altered the prayer in the Amidah that calls for "wind and rain" to "wind and snow." Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Park City's Temple Har Shalom's "Ski Shul," nestled on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort, is the site of a Jewish Sabbath service. The winter tradition is informal and fun on Friday afternoon's during the winter season as the rabbi keeps the service short so no one misses the last operating lifts.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) As a day of carving turns comes to a close, skiers congregate at the Sunset Cabin near the top of Deer Valley Resort for an only ski-in, ski-out Friday afternoon Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath service. Held during the winter season Rabbi David Levinsky likes to alter the prayer in the Amidah that calls for "wind and rain" to "wind and snow." Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rabbi David Levinsky, spiritual leader at Park City's Temple Har Shalom, pours small cups of pomegranate wine for Kiddush, a ceremony of prayer and blessing over wine, as he prepares for a service on the upper slopes at Deer Valley Resort. During the winter ski season, Sunset Cabin is the setting for a Friday afternoon Jewish Sabbath service. Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brothers Perry Hoffman, center, of Chicago and Mark, at right, from San Diego, first time visitors to the "Ski Shul," at Deer Valley Resort, document the beautiful setting of the Jewish Sabbath service they had just attended at the Sunset Cabin.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Park City's Temple Har Shalom's "Ski Shul," seen below, nestled on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort, is the site of a Jewish Sabbath service. The winter tradition is informal and fun on Friday afternoon's during the winter season as the Rabbi keeps the service short so no one misses the last operating lifts. Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Packed shoulder to shoulder clad in winter ski gear, worshippers participate in a Friday afternoon Jewish Sabbath service inside Sunset Cabin on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort. Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Skiers crowd into Sunset Cabin at Deer Valley Resort for Friday afternoon Jewish Sabbath as they for participate in the Kiddush, the ceremony of prayer and blessing over wine. Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) As a day of carving turns comes to a close, skiers congregate at the Sunset Cabin near the top of Deer Valley Resort for an only ski-in, ski-out Friday afternoon Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath service. Held during the winter season Rabbi David Levinsky likes to alter the prayer in the Amidah that calls for "wind and rain" to "wind and snow." Jan. 26, 2018.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rabbi David Levinsky, spiritual leader at Park CityÕs Temple Har Shalom leads a service on Friday afternoon at Sunset Cabin on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort affectionately referred to as "Ski Shul."
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rabbi David Levinsky, spiritual leader at Park City's Temple Har Shalom leads a service on Friday afternoon at Sunset Cabin on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort affectionately referred to as "Ski Shul."
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mark Hoffman of San Diego visits Sunset Cabin at Deer Valley Resort for the first time to participate in a Friday afternoon Jewish Sabbath service.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A loaf of braided Challah bread is shared amongst worshippers after a Jewish Sabbath service at the small Sunset Cabin on the upper slopes of Deer Valley Resort on a recent Friday afternoon.
The ancient children of Israel had sandals, a pillar of smoke by day and fire by night during their Sinai sojourn with God.
Park City’s Temple Har Shalom, Rabbi David Levinsky and his northern Utah resort community have skis and powder snow — a far more pleasant prospect than 40 years of wandering in the desert.
On Sunday, the growing Reform Judaism congregation sponsored the first of three ski days planned this season. Levinsky says the idea is to help new members forge friendships with longer-term worshippers.
“We have had steady growth over the past 2½ years,” the rabbi says, estimating the temple’s 350-family membership has jumped 20 percent during that period.
“When you are a believer, you are not surprised other people also want to believe,” the skiing and skateboarding Levinsky says. “But that much of a growth rate has been a surprise [because] we are a nonproselytizing faith.”
Levinsky says about 5 percent of that growth is due to new conversions. The rest largely comes from Park City’s swelling population with new Jewish families moving in.
Temple Har Shalom sponsored two ski days during the 2016-17 ski season. They proved so successful that the synagogue decided on three this season. On the heels of Sunday’s kickoff at Park City Mountain Resort, the next two are set for Feb. 11 at the nearby Canyons Village and March 4 at Deer Valley Resort.
The ski events, while aimed at Park City’s Jewish community, are entirely social in nature. After a morning on the slopes, participants meet for lunch.
“It’s just an opportunity,” Levinsky says, “for people to get to know each other outside the synagogue.”
As for mixing skiing and prayers, Temple Har Shalom has long offered a 3 p.m. Friday “Ski Shul” at the Deer Valley Resort during the winter months.
Michael Sommer, a businessman and member who has led the synagogue’s skiing promotions, says the Ski Shul often packs Deer Valley’s Sunset Cabin site. Everyone, Jewish or not, is welcome.
“It is open to anyone with a Deer Valley lift ticket,” Sommer says. “Most of the attendees are out-of-towners who come for the novelty of skiing to a synagogue service.”
Indeed, skiers from Israel and all over the world have prayed on the mountain as guests of Park City’s synagogue.
It’s all about the hospitality, Sommer says, something Temple Har Shalom makes a priority.
“Yes, we have religious services, but we are more than that,” he says. “[This is] a place where any person can feel welcome and accepted, no matter what religion or race you are.”
At Ski Shul, it’s all about the worship, the warmth, the fellowship and, yes, the sport.
Levinsky posts the Israeli flag’s Star of David outside the cabin to let skiers know that Shabbat service is about to begin. The rabbi also alters the Amidah prayer calling for “wind and rain” to a more appropriate plea for “wind and snow.”
And don’t fret, powder hounds. He keeps the Sabbath service short. After all, there are still lifts to ride, carves to turn and moguls to crush.
Amen.