The request from Greg Kellner seemed simple enough: write a few paragraphs what it means to be a faculty member at Eisner Camp. As I sat down, the task seemed more challenging than I imagined. How do I summarize the motivation that keeps bringing me back here for the past 21 summers as a faculty member? Is it the promise of grilled cheese and tomato soup? Or is the lure of donning a cowboy hat and overalls for Rib Night? No, while those are highlights of my summer, the truth is that I come here for 2 reasons: one requires [...]
Eisner in Israel – Shabbat-O-Gram # 3
After spending a few days at Kibbutz Yahel, the first Reform kibbutz in Israel, we set out on a 4 day excursion into the Negev desert. It was extremely difficult but it brought us together as a community. Sleeping under the stars and learning about the plight of the Israelites thousands of years ago helped us connect with our Jewish heritage.
Eisner Hosts First Friendly Games Tournament with Camp Mah-Kee-Nac
by Paige Kohn, Social Media Director Yesterday marked a fantastic day in Eisner history, hosting our first tournament! The first half of Friendly Games Tournament with Camp Mah-Kee-Nac was a great success. The second half of the games will be hosted at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac next session, so more kids will get a chance to play. The tournament covered multiple sports including, soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball and even rock climbing at our wall. The teams also spanned all of the units from Bonim to Olim, which was great because it meant campers of all ages had the opportunity to try out [...]
“Chocolate Thunder” Rolls into Eisner
By Paige Kohn, Social Media Director “Chocolate Thunder” stormed into Eisner, but he did not break any backboards. A few days ago the entire camp was captivated as they watched Darryl Dawkins’ Top 10 Plays on the big screen in the chadar ochel. All of the campers and staff were pumped at the prospect of meeting the man who necessitated the change in how all basketball backboards are made today. Upon his arrival in the middle of breakfast, the entire camp erupted in cheering and Darryl was swarmed with children literally jumping at the chance to get a high five [...]
Shabbat Shalom from Eisner in Israel – Week 2
Shabbat Shalom! We hope the past week was as educational, adventurous, and spiritually moving for you as it was for us. Our week began in the Polish city of Krakow. We learned so much about Jewish life in Europe before the Holocaust by visiting the Jewish Quarter and numerous Jewish synagogues and cemeteries. This helped to set the scene for the next day’s visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau. Seeing the concentration camps up close was both heart-wrenching and eye-opening.
Trip Day: Part II – Bonim, Chalutzim, Ofarim and Machon
The energy in the dining hall was palpable this morning! Everyone was revved up for TRIP DAY!!! Wearing Eisner T-shirts, hats and sunscreen with water bottles in hand, Bonim headed to Quassy Park, Chalutzim to Lake Compounce Amusement Park, and Ofarim and Machon to Six Flags New England! It promises to be a great day of games, rides, food, fun and friends!!! Pictures from these great experiences will be posted to Bunk1, the blog and Facebook upon everyone’s return on Thursday.
Chaverim, Tzofim and Olim Depart for Trip Day
Boker Tov Eisner Camp! Today is Chaverim, Tzofim and Olim Trip Day (Tomorrow is Bonim, Chalutzim and Ofarim). Chaverim is headed to Lake George, Tzofim to Rhode Island and Olim to Cape Cod. Everyone was in great spirits after an amazing 4th of July celebration and couldn’t have been more excited for trip day. Proudly sporting their Eisner Camp T-Shirts, it is going to be an incredible trip day for Chaverim, Tzofim and Olim. Picture of the trips will be posted to Bunk 1 on Thursday, following camp’s return from the trips. Below is a little preview of our Chaverim, [...]
Boys Night Out in K’far Teva
During the Tzofim year, all of the boys in Tzofim have their Teva overnight together, rather than by bunk, like the rest of camp. This “all boys” campout gave us a day to bond and become brothers. Before the overnight, the people in both bunks were friends but had much less communication, because we were not living together. The hours we spent together allowed everyone to have at least two conversations with everyone in the other bunk.
Habitat for Humanity: A Camper’s Reflection
On Wednesday, June 29th a group of Olim Campers traveled to Springfield, MA where they participated in Habitat for Humanity,an organization committed to provided homes for those struggling to make ends meet. The campers did yard-work, painting, and cleanup to create a new home for those in need. The project was planned in partnership with Telem, a Boston based Jewish organization, focused on integrating community service. The following is a reflection on this experience by Betsy, an Olim Camper and a peice written by two Olim campers that was read at Shabbat T’filah. When we, the Olim Campers, went to help [...]
Shabbat O-Gram from our Eisnerites on NFTY in Israel Trip
Shabbat Shalom Eisner! The writing of this letter marks quite possibly one of the longest days of our lives. Although it has been a long 36 hours of crossing time zones and minimal sleep, our excitement for this trip has never been higher. After arriving in Prague early this morning, we met up with our incredible staff, in addition to the Crane Lake campers who we’ll be traveling with this summer. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and getting to know our fellow group members. We ended the day with free time and dinner in Prague’s Old Town [...]
Eisner Families Giving Back
Eisner families are the best – it’s true. Our new cabins and scholarship fund were generously supported by many alumni, parents, grandparents and others concerned about Jewish continuity. Because of your dedication more than 300 campers will be afforded the opportunity to be at Eisner this summer that wouldn’t have been able to attend otherwise; and when they get here they will have suitable living quarters. Thank you to everyone who contributed this year to the scholarship fund and to the cabin campaign. Todah Rabah to our Donors. Last summer, our campers’ experience was greatly enhanced by alumni who generously [...]
Eisner Summer 2011 Kicks Off!
Louis Bordman, Director, Eisner Camp Eisner Summer 2011 has arrived! I cannot tell you how amazing it felt to see all of our staff members together in their Eisner shirts for the first time this morning. Even with the fog lingering outside, the Chadar Ohel was bursting with excitement and the staff was already pumped for the day. In true Eisner fashion, the fog lifted and the sun broke through just in time for the first cars of campers to pass through our gates. As the families made their way through the check in process, the counselors up at the [...]
