Denver, Co, August 11, 2014 - A generous gift from Colorado resident Francine Lavin Weaver has funded the first kosher retreat center in the Rocky Mountains, as part of Camp Ramah in the Rockies. Ramah announced the opening of the new Beit Kesher Retreat Center, which was dedicated on August 3, 2014, with a festive opening ceremony at the camp. “The retreat center was designed to host overnight events for both Jewish and community groups … [Read more...] about Ramah in the Rockies Dedicates New Retreat Center
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New Ways to Make Kids Excited about Camp
by Michelle Shapiro Abraham What if you took a camp counselor - t-shirt and all - and dropped her in a synagogue? Instead of telling her to leave all that “campy stuff” at the door, invite her to bring it all in with her. Don’t stick her in a classroom on a Sunday morning to talk about camp for an hour, instead have her bring that “camp magic” year round to every activity and every kid in the building. Add a splash of “pied-piper” appeal and … [Read more...] about New Ways to Make Kids Excited about Camp
Overnight Camping at AVI CHAI: Deepening Connections to Judaism at Camp
by Joel Einleger Overnight summer camps offer a goldmine of opportunities for building and deepening connections to Judaism and Israel. Camps are fully-contained and controlled laboratories for experiential education. In this unique environment, campers and staff can participate in new Jewish rituals and customs, meet Israelis who work as staff, and can explore their Jewish interests. Counselors and campers - who may only be a few years apart … [Read more...] about Overnight Camping at AVI CHAI: Deepening Connections to Judaism at Camp
Reform and Conservative Camping Movements’ Service Corps Will Engage Synagogue Youth Year Round
The camping movements of the Union for Reform Judaism and the National Ramah Commission of The Jewish Theological Seminary have announced a joint initiative to develop a year-round Service Corps program for camp staff alumni. Participants in the Service Corps will apply their experience, talents and skills to create camp-style programming for North American synagogue youth, and to recruit more children to attend camp. A new grant will be … [Read more...] about Reform and Conservative Camping Movements’ Service Corps Will Engage Synagogue Youth Year Round
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Unveils Reinvention Strategy
In an effort to redesign the Conservative Synagogue movement in North America, the USCJ - in coordination with Hayom - have come together with a consensus plan for the future. The plan emphasizes not only a new way of doing things, but change, responsiveness and transparency. Addressed is the way Conservative Judaism see itself and presents itself, change in the way United Synagogue interacts with kehillot/synagogues, brands itself, and a new … [Read more...] about United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Unveils Reinvention Strategy