We hope everyone is enjoying summer. We were thrilled to get a report in from our own Rabbi Greg Weitzman from summer camp. As Rabbi Weitzman and his wife Ashley prepare to welcome their first child, he was inspired to pen a letter about why summer camp is so important for our kids.
Earlier this month I had served as faculty at the URJ Eisner Camp. This camp has always been a special place to me. I spent nearly twenty summers playing under the sun here and it is where I was first inspired to become a Rabbi. Therefore, when the opportunity arose for me to serve as a faculty member I jumped at it. This summer, the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) will impact nearly 18,000 young people throughout the country either at a camp program or a summer trip to Israel. Studies have shown that children who attend Jewish summer camp are statistically more likely to remain involved in congregational life and Jewish living as adults. I believe camp is where children learn and grow into the best versions of themselves.
This summer 19 of our own Rodeph Sholom children are attending a URJ Summer Camp. As it mentions on the Eisner Camp website: “Since 1958, URJ Eisner Camp has embodied the transformative power of Jewish camping. Children from Union for Reform Judaism congregations across the Northeast join together each summer to experience the fun and magic of this special community…these relationships lay the foundation for our summer community, providing encouragement and support. Campers embrace the challenges of learning new skills in athletics, aquatics, the arts, adventure, and nature programs. They immerse themselves in a wide range of innovative Jewish educational pursuits and creative spiritual experiences.”
At Eisner, I taught Torah under a tree while the sun was shining; I prayed with children while a song leader led on guitar; and a chanted the Birkat Hamazon after each meal as nearly 600 children chanted with me. It was inspiring to see that Jewish life is alive and thriving through these kids. They are the future of our religion, our movement, and our congregation.
If you are interested in sending your child or know someone who might be interested, I would like to encourage you to reach out to me so that I can do whatever is possible to make this a reality.
Best,
Rabbi Greg
