It was almost 20 years ago to the day that, I too, embarked on my Jewish journey as a “nature Jew” – when I truly fell head over heels in love with Judaism.
Tag Archives | urj
Beyond the Purim Shpiel – Creating Purim Memories at Home with your Mishpacha!
I just had the absolute pleasure of staffing a Taglit-Kesher trip to Israel, as part of the URJ’s Birthright program. The Birthright experience is a 10-day whirlwind of education and activity providing a “taste of Israel” to North American Jews (ages 18-26) who have never before visited Israel on a peer-educational trip. One of my goals as the “madrichah” (educational guide) on the trip was to present a Judaism that is meaningful and adaptable; something that has value for people at all stages of their life.
One of Our Own: Leah Weiss Spotlight in the NJ Jewish News
Weiss, who began her new position in August, spent 15 summers at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Harlam, an overnight camp in Kunkeltown, Pa., first as a camper and later on the waterfront staff. She credits the camp — together with the enormous and diverse Jewish population at her alma mater — with her interest in becoming a Jewish professional. She also spent her junior year at the University of Haifa, which deepened her connection to Israel.
PJ Goes to Camp… So Can You!
PJ Goes to Camp offers incentive grants up to $1,000 to PJ Library families who wish to enroll their children in a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for the first time. Made possible by the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, this offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis to PJ Library families who might not be eligible for their community’s One Happy Camper program. Who is eligible? First-time campers including: Current PJ Library subscribers who enrolled in the program on or before September 1, 2011 Siblings of current PJ Library subscribers who enrolled in [...]
God’s Rainbow
By Cantor Jacqueline Shuchat-Marx (Faculty Member at Camp Harlam) My children don’t go to school where I grew up; nor even in the same century, let alone millenium. I’m a GRIT (Girl Raised In Tennessee); they were born in Southeast Asia. My ancestors spent over 900 years in Germany; my son’s and daughter’s ancestors spent countless dynasties in Korea and China respectively. I, whose favorite breakfast features leftovers from last night’s Japanese dinner, pray in English, in Aramaic and in Hebrew; and I learned the Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals) when I was eight. My kids, whose favorite breakfast is [...]
The Week in Review and the Week to Come
Wow! The last few days here at camp have been packed with incredible activities. To start off, just a few days ago we had our world famous Carmel- Chavurah Day. For those of you who don’t know what this day is, it’s one of the best day’s for the oldest and youngest campers here at camp. During the day, the kids are paired up into buddies and get to spend the entire day together. From art projects to playing sports to having a great barbeque together, the two units get to share their experiences of camp. If you [...]
The Impact of URJ Camp Harlam
Dear Friends: As a child I went to sleepover camp. I loved it. Six years in a row at a horseback riding camp that was a working farm. My oldest sister went to Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Wisconsin, where Debbie Friedman spent her summers. My sister also loved camp, but for different reasons. She was surrounded by Judaism. She loved being there. I get it now. My husband and I picked up our two kids this past Sunday from their first experience at sleepover camp. As we drove up to Camp Harlam in the Poconos, we wondered [...]
