About

About the Maine Israelite Outdoor Society

Welcome to the Maine Israelite Outdoor Society — where Jewish tradition meets the great outdoors.

We are a community of hikers, paddlers, snowshoers, and nature-lovers who find meaning and connection in Maine’s wild beauty. Our adventures take us from coastal trails to mountain summits, from quiet forest paths to windswept lakes — all while grounded in the values and rhythms of Jewish life.

We believe the outdoors is a place for kehillah (community), tikkun olam (caring for the world), and hakarat hatov (gratitude). Whether greeting the sunrise with a blessing, celebrating Shabbat under the pines, or simply sharing challah and stories at the end of a trail, we bring our heritage with us wherever we wander.

Our outings are open to all — individuals, families, and friends of all backgrounds — who wish to explore, reflect, and build connection through nature and community. No matter your experience level, you’ll find a welcoming group ready to share the trail.

Come join us. Step outside. Breathe the Maine air. Find your place in the journey.

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Brian Kresge is a rabbinical student, writer, programmer, soldier, and outdoorsman.  He is the author of The Kosher Backpacker, a guide to observant Jewish wilderness travel, and creator of The Kosher Backpacker Appalachian Trail Guide app for Android and iOS.  He’s a retired (1994-2024) veteran of the Army (as a paratrooper) and National Guard, where he took basic and advanced mountaineering courses and found his love of wilderness leadership.  He was Director of Jewish Outreach for the 2016 Gary Johnson Presidential campaign, a military designated religious group leader endorsed by the Aleph Institute for 17 years, a member of the Jewish War Veterans, and a board/executive board member of two synagogues and several non-profits.  He has a BA in English and an MBA, and is presently a student with the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary.
Brian resides in Winterport, Maine, with his wife, Leah, and their youngest daughter, Nezzie.  He and his wife also maintain the blog Downeast Kvetch: Finding Yiddishkeit in the North Woods.