Youth Education

The Mayim Rabim youth education program helps introduce children to the Reconstructionist tradition in a nurturing, small classroom setting. Classes are available for children age 3 and up and include learning about the prayerbook and the important points on the Jewish calendar, history, arts and crafts, basic Hebrew, and Jewish values. For more information, contact us.

From Camp JRF . . .

Dear parents of Camp JRF campers,

For the past four summers my daughters have loved Camp JRF. When I ask why, they tell me about the swimming, the friends, the zip line, the art, the sports, the boats, the dirt, the fun. Yet, there is something else. Some Jewish magic to Camp JRF that I have never been able to figure out.

It’s not because I don’t try. Each summer on the last day of camp, Lilli and Sophie tearfully hug their friends and counselors good-bye and get in the car. After a few minutes, I begin my questions in order to unearth the secret: “So…you wrote me in your letters that Shabbat is your favorite part of camp, (at home they tolerate, but do not love Shabbat)…I was just wondering…Why?” and, “You said you have religious services every morning, (but there is no camp wide revolt)…how does that work?” finally, “Can you tell me the secrets of Camp JRF?” Lilli and Sophie look at me with pity and answer: “It just is.” “We don’t know.” And, “It isn’t a secret, it’s just camp!”

Enough was enough. This summer, I was lucky enough to spend a Shabbat at camp. I wish that each of you could have been with me. What my visit made me realize is that, like the “simple son” at the Passover Seder, I did not even know how to ask the questions. If you want to find out more about the magic of Camp JRF from your own children, here are some questions and pieces of answers to get your conversation started:

1. Question: When you say the “motzi” on Friday night, what does everyone do? Answer: Everyone is either touching the challah or touching someone who is touching the challah so the entire community is part of the unique beauty and sweetness of Shabbat.

2. Question: What do you say after every meal? Answer: “We ate when we were hungry, and now we’re satisfied. We thank the Source of Blessing for all that She provides. We share in a vision, of wholeness and relief, where everyone is nourished, and we all live in peace.” Beautiful, right? How wonderful if everyone in the world were able to say and mean that after every meal…

3. Question: What is it like when you dance, especially during Shabbat morning services? Answer: Camp JRF campers don’t just dance…they bounce…HIGH!!! Like they all have magical springs on their feet.

4. Question: How does Shabbat start? Answer: It starts with Rabbi Isaac and Ayal (the song leader) singing with a guitar and walking through the entire camp, past every cabin. Every cabin has freshly showered and dressed campers wait outside to eagerly join Rabbi Isaac in song…the walk is ended with the entire camp on the field, arm in arm, walking and singing and welcoming Shabbat.

5. Question: What is this about weighing the garbage? Answer: At camp, our children are taught to try not to take more food than they can eat. All of the wasted food is composted, but first weighed. The day I was there was a “heavy” day at 60 pounds of compost. So…if your child is piling up their plate with food and then throwing most of it in the garbage at the end of the meal, remind them about weighing the compost.

I was only at camp for 48 hours, but the kindness, love and magic that I saw literally brought tears to my eyes at least nine times. My daughters were terribly embarrassed, but I could not help it. It was that amazing.

As adults, I don’t know if we can ever really enter the wonderful and magical world that our children go to each summer. Instead we must be content knowing that we give them what may be the most important gift of their lives each summer when we let them enter the world of Camp JRF.

To ensure that this gift is continually available to our children, it is my privilege to ask you to join me in supporting Camp JRF. Although it is impossible to put a dollar value on the experience our children receive each summer, if each of us would make Camp a serious recipient of our tzedakah it would be wonderful. Our tuition to camp does not nearly cover the expenses to care for our kids. In fact, there is a $530.00 gap between what we pay for each of our children and how much it really costs the camp. This difference, or gap amount, must be raised from the generosity of people like you who care about Camp JRF. You can show your generosity now by donating directly on-line by going to Camp JRF and on the top right of the page click “Support Camp JRF.” When you give a gift to Camp JRF your gift is not only an investment in Camp and your child’s experience, but it is truly an investment in the future of the Jewish People. Thank you for your continued support and enjoy having your campers home!

L’Shalom (with peace),
Archie Gottesman
Chair, Camp JRF Capital Campaign