The Value of Jewish Sleepaway Camp

As the weather turns warmer, children all over the country are packing their duffel bags with sunscreen, tie-dyed t-shirts, and anticipation. It’s time for sleepaway camp! We are thrilled that over 60 of our own Beth Am students will attend Jewish overnight camps this summer, the vast majority of whom will spend time at our Reform Movement partner, URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa.

Camp is a special, safe, and nurturing place where our young people are able to unplug from daily stress, explore who they are, and grow into the best versions of themselves. Through joyful Jewish learning, prayer, and friendship-making, Camp Newman and other Jewish camps become powerful extensions of our Beth Am Youth Education programs. They build enduring Jewish community and identity in a warm and nurturing environment.

Our partnership with camp is so important, we share a full-time staff member with Camp Newman. Leah Shapiro, our Youth Engagement Program Director, is part of the CLASP Fellowship through the URJ, which allows her to spend a portion of her professional time working for camp during the summer and year round. Leah creates a beautiful bridge between camp and Beth Am, bringing the camp ruach (spirit) to our congregation and continuing to build our Beth Am Youth Education community among our campers while at camp.

We Beth Am clergy and educators also join Leah and get in on the fun at camp! Many of us have been honored to serve on Jewish education faculty at Camp Newman, supporting Jewish life at camp and connecting with our Beth Am campers. This summer, our Newman campers will catch Rabbi Shoshana Nambi on faculty at the beginning of the summer and Sarah Lauing Cohen at the end! Each summer we find this experience enriches us professionally while also fostering important relationships with our Beth Am campers.

As our campers climb the Alpine Tower, toast marshmallows under the stars, and knit colorful friendship bracelets, they are doing something much more profound and powerful than just having fun. They are building a foundation of positive Jewish community and memories that will last them a lifetime.