By Stephen Weitzman Amazing! Absolutely Amazing! Those are the only words that immediately come to mind to accurately describe all that took place at Camp Chazak, the URJ’s program for children whose social development makes it difficult for them to function in a “typical” camp environment, which is held each year at Eisner and Crane Lake Camps. Then again, the word exceptional also comes close! That’s the word that describes the caring and nurturing staff of tireless counselors, led by Eisner Camp’s Assistant Director Marissa Frankel and Psychology Doctoral Student Rachel Schein, who provided almost 1:1 coverage of the Camp [...]
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Shabbat Shalom from the First Shabbat of Second Session
As the melodic sound of guitars filled the air at 5:15pm, we knew Shabbat was here. Everyone was sporting their white attire as they gathered for Kabbalat Shabbat with their bunkmates and counselors. Songs were sung like “Boi Kallah” and “La Yehudim” to welcome in the magic of Shabbat. Our community came together in song, and then walked down to the Chadar Ochel for dinner. Shabbat dinner is a unique experience for the campers, as they are allowed to sit with family and friends as well as experience the beauty of coming together to celebrate the end of the week. [...]
Eisner Staff Cares
Our last Shabbat of Staff Certification Week was a busy one. The staff prayed while learning about loyalty, discussed leadership and rebellion with Louis during T’fillah, and got to hear about a little boy in Milwaukee who is currently fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia. One of our staff members spoke about Superman Sam, and our Shabbat together became just a little more meaningful. Sam is the six year old son of two Chicago-area Rabbis, and long time members of the OSRUI family, one of our sister camps in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Sam’s mother Phyllis, started a blog to discuss Sam’s battle and [...]
Session 1 Opening Day 2012
Eisner camp celebrated another fantastic opening day on June 27th, 2012! Starting at nine, a steady stream of cars entered the gates. Campers, both new and returning, rushed to reunite with old friends and make new ones! Smiles were everywhere! Thanks to Eisner’s Machon, campers were greeted to cheers and applause at every turn around camp as they made their way to their cabins. After intensive counselor certification, Eisner staff could hardly contain their excitement to welcome campers into cabins and into the Eisner family. After an upbeat picnic lunch with their cabins, campers interacted with their units, picked activities [...]
Specialists Get Ready for Camp
In the weeks leading up to camp members of our staff joined us for training in each of our specialty areas. From arts instructors to lifeguards to adventure instructors and coaches! The Coaches and Instructors spent the week learning and practicing their craft with department heads and expert trainers. Check out what they had to say about their training and what they were looking forward to: Harry, Adventure Instructor “We started our training off by doing ice breakers and field games as a group, and also learning how to facilitate them which we will do for each of the campers [...]
Giving Back to Camp and Gaining in the Process
Article originally published in, New York Family 2012 Written by Eisner Camp Staff Member, Ariel Milan-Polisar In my experience, eleven-year-old girls are mainly into belting Taylor Swift songs and painting nails, and older girls who’ll do all that with them. Eight years ago I was one of those eleven-year-old girls and now, as a counselor, I get to be the older girl. I’ve grown up spending summers at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA, since I was 10-years-old, looking up to my incredible counselors. There was nobody cooler than the counselors who towered over me and knew what to [...]
Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month: Camp Chazak
Camp Chazak, a program of URJ Eisner and Crane Lake By Marissa Frankel, MS Ed, Assistant Director URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps February 2012 is the 4th Annual Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. A month dedicated to raising awareness and expanding the inclusivity of the Jewish community. URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps is dedicated to creating a more inclusive community, and several years ago began the planning for a camp for children with special needs. On August 21, 2011 just days after second session wrapped, URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camp’s newest program, Camp Chazak, began its inaugural summer. [...]
Srecna Nova Godina! – Celebrating the New Year in Serbia
When I decided to take a gap year before going to college and come to Serbia, I was worried about many things, but mostly about how to maintain my Jewish identity without the camp, NFTY, and temple communities as immediate support. As a Bonim (3rd through 5th grade) counselor this past summer, I relished each moment that I was surrounded by the Eisner community – the interactive services, the supportive environment, and the opportunity to live Jewishly 24/7. Eisner is the community that nurtured me and helped me grow into the Jew—and person—that I am. Coming to Serbia was a [...]
Next Time You Have a Chance, Hug a Torah
How many of us have ever hugged a Torah? Last Sunday evening my daughter Sarah did. As part of the opening ceremonies at Camp Eisner, the Torah is passed around and every camper has an opportunity to hold it. The first picture I saw of Sarah this summer at camp was of her hugging the Torah. It nearly moved me to tears. I’m sure that in the moment she was so excited to be back at camp that the meaning of what she was doing was lost on her – but not lost forever. I know that feeling so well.
