Jewish Summer Camps | Adapting & Adjusting in 2020 · Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive

Title

Jewish Summer Camps | Adapting & Adjusting in 2020

Description

This collection provides examples of how Jewish summer camps adapted and adjusted their 2020 programs. Some camps provided alternate options to their families amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, while others cancelled their programs all together.

Date Created

2020

Denomination

Judaism

Genre

Online articles

Institution

Yeshiva University Special Collections

Source

Chabad

Daily Cheapskate

The Vindicator

JCC Manhattan

Camp Morasha

Camp Settoga

Camp Moshava

Union for Reform Judaism

Language

English

Subject

Judaism

Summer camp

Youth outreach

COVID-19 health & safety protocols

Public health

Online community

Cancelled

Unprecedented challenges

Disappointment

extracted text

5/4/2020

Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The Alternatives? - Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty - Ch…

Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The
Alternatives?
Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty
By Faygie Levy HoltApril 28, 2020 2:45 PM

Girls at Camp Gan Israel in Cherry Hill, N.J., enjoy an outing last year. Camp directors around the world are
strategizing on how to balance concerns about the coronavirus with the need for summer programming. (Photo:
Camp Gan Israel, Cherry Hill, N.J.)

With less than two months until the start of summer, camp
directors and parents alike are trying to figure out what
programs will look like in the era of the coronavirus, stay-athome orders and social distancing.
“As much as I want camp to be there, there is still so much
uncertainty,” said Yafit Sananes, whose two boys, 7 and 9,
usually attend Camp Gan Israel in Cherry Hill, N.J. “Camp
makes them proud to be Jewish and gives them increased
self-esteem about making Judaism something to be proud
of; it gives them a feeling of togetherness. The camp really
https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4727992/jewish/Camp-Directors-Plan-For-Summer-What-Are-The-Alternatives.htm

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Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The Alternatives? - Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty - Ch…

emphasizes Ve-ahavta lere-acha kamocha, ‘love your fellow
Jew.’ They have Jewish friends from camp.”
Knowing how important camp is to keeping children
engaged in Judaism—several studies have shown that
participation in Jewish camp creates families that are
connected with the Jewish community—officials at Camp
Gan Israel are working to come up with a strategy at a time
when every city, state and even municipality may have
different operating rules as some states begin to relax their
stay-at-home orders. An estimated 60,000 youngsters attend
one of the more than 300 Camp Gan Israel programs
internationally.
“We are ready to go and make camp available in any
option,” said Rabbi Zalman Loewenthal, director of CKidsChabad Children’s Network at Chabad-Lubavitch’s Merkos
302 programming office, which has been working with Camp
Gan Israel directors to develop three potential scenarios for
camp this summer.

‘Camp Is About Movement and Interaction’
Among the options Gan Israel camps are considering are a
traditional summer-camp experience with circle time, trips,
activities and more; a virtual, supersized online camp
experience with virtual circle time, special guest performers
and interactive programming designed to get kids moving; or
a hybrid of the two with no trips, and a reconfiguration of
spaces to promote social distancing, temperature checks
and more.

https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4727992/jewish/Camp-Directors-Plan-For-Summer-What-Are-The-Alternatives.htm

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5/4/2020

Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The Alternatives? - Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty - Ch…

“I don’t think it’s a realistic expectation that camp will run like
normal,” said Rabbi Schneur Scheiman, co-director with his
wife, Ester, of Camp Gan Israel in Northbrook, Ill. “We rent
several facilities, including a pool, and we go on a lot of field
trips and have outside instructors who visit.”
It runs smoothly in normal years, he contends, but “this isn’t
that.”
Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, co-director with his wife, Baily, of
Camp Gan Israel in Cherry Hill, N.J., has been running his
camp for more than 15 years with some 200 campers each
summer. Registration for this year’s program began back in
December, and camp is set to open on June 29. Like other
directors, he is trying to figure out a way to balance the
concerns about the coronavirus with his summer
programming.
“We are going to try and remain open in any way possible,
and if we can be at full operating capacity, that would be
wonderful. If it’s a partial opening, we will do whatever the
state and local authorities advise. If we need to cancel trips
or swimming, we will,” he said. “Parents want their children
outside, and if there is an ability to accommodate that, we
will.”
The question is what happens “if we are still on lockdown,”
he continued. “I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea of
a virtual camp. Camp is not about virtual; it’s about
movement and interaction, so it is a bit harder. It is a last
resort.”

https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4727992/jewish/Camp-Directors-Plan-For-Summer-What-Are-The-Alternatives.htm

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Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The Alternatives? - Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty - Ch…

Programs are being designed to accommodate social distancing and to enable some campers to participate from
home. (Photo: Camp Gan Israel, Cherry Hill, N.J.)

‘A Solution to Keep Our Kids Busy’
Given that some places may not lift their stay-at-home
orders for weeks yet, just how would a “virtual” camp
program work?
Loewenthal, who reimagined and launched
the Chabad Hebrew School into a very successfulvirtual
platform when stay-at-home orders began in March, has
some ideas.
“We can have an extremely interactive program with the
most entertaining performances and amazing craft projects,”
he suggested. “Obviously, this would all be done with a
https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4727992/jewish/Camp-Directors-Plan-For-Summer-What-Are-The-Alternatives.htm

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Camp Directors Plan For Summer: What Are The Alternatives? - Shaping programs to conform to local circumstances amid coronavirus uncertainty - Ch…

personal touch from the Chabad emissaries and their camp
staff.”
For instance, the daily schedule at a traditional Gan Israel
program goes something like this: welcome with your
counselor and camp songs; prayer and Jewish learning;
snack; art; activity; lunch; afternoon activities; swimming;
and end-of-day wrap-up.
Camps could offer a similar daily structure online with
modifications, said Loewenthal. He envisions some camps
being able to customize virtual meetings for their campers
before joining other Gan Israel camps online for special
performances or activities.
Though she has questions about an online camp program,
Sananes noted that “I appreciate the creativity Chabad
shows because as much as we have all gotten to a point
where we need a break from online commitments, at the
same time once school is over, we will still need to find a
solution to keep our kids busy.”

https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4727992/jewish/Camp-Directors-Plan-For-Summer-What-Are-The-Alternatives.htm

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5/20/2020

Daily Cheapskate: Machane Mishpacha: the affordable alternative to Jewish summer camp or online programming

5/18/2020

Machane Mishpacha: the affordable alternative to Jewish summer camp
or online programming

This post is for all Daily Cheapskate readers in Jewish families with young kids.
If you are dreading the idea of having your kids home all summer-long, telling you how
bored they are, please check this out. If you are tired of all the online programming that your
https://www.dailycheapskate.com/2020/05/machane-mishpacha-affordable.html

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5/20/2020

Daily Cheapskate: Machane Mishpacha: the affordable alternative to Jewish summer camp or online programming

kids have been subject to and want to get them away from the computer screen this
summer, please read on.
Please click on the image above to see the full-size flyer for Machane Mishpacha. Ayelet
Ribakow, whom I've known for 20 years, is Machane Mishpacha's coordinator. She has
years of experience as both a Jewish educator as well as a camp counselor and is beloved
by her students and their families here in Denver.
The value is amazing (the price is per FAMILY, not per kid), and you won't be putting your
children at a health risk in a social setting. You can do this in place of summer camp or as a
supplement to summer camp.
EARLY BIRD RATE: 5 weeks of activities = $150 total ($30/week), per family (no matter the
number of children). RATES GO UP AFTER MAY 20, 2020. Don't miss out!
Weekly rates are available as well. The teen package is just $50 for 5 weeks ($10/week),
and will include 3-4 time-enriching activities per week.
Special bulk package rates are available to schools and summer programs.
Machane Mishpacha is available to you ANYWHERE you live.
"Each day we will visit another place around the world. Your child will receive a printable
passport to decorate with stamps of each place you visit. You will also receive lists of arts
and crafts, baking/food activities, water fun, and shiur sheets that your children will love! The
crafts and activities will come with a supply list and step-by-step instructions for you to do
with your children. The activities are geared towards younger boys and girls of all ages.
Older boys are welcome to join the fun too!"
Questions, please contact Mrs. Ayelet Ribakow, Machanemishpacha@gmail.com

Save

Posted by Daily Cheapskate at 5/18/2020 09:08:00 PM

https://www.dailycheapskate.com/2020/05/machane-mishpacha-affordable.html

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7/6/2020

Summer camp with a twist at JCC | News, Sports, Jobs - The Vindicator

Summer camp with a twist at JCC

Hannah Watts, 8, of Cortland and Tyler Hawkins, 8, of Liberty take part in JCC summer camp
Wednesday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Tyler Hawkins, 8, of Liberty and Hannah Watts, 8, of
Cortland, were among the many children running around Noah’s Park
playground on Wednesday at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane.
The JCC started its annual summer children’s camp last week, with changes to
comply with guidelines by state and county health departments due to the
coronavirus.
https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2020/06/summer-camp-with-a-twist-at-jcc/

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Summer camp with a twist at JCC | News, Sports, Jobs - The Vindicator

Tyler and Hannah, who like the other children probably were not aware of the
changes, said they were both excited to be outside playing after having had to
spend more than two months inside their homes and out of school because of
the virus outbreak.
Some changes that had to be made were to focus on smaller groups of children
being together for social distancing and also canceling all oﬀ-campus ﬁeld trips.
Michael Rawl, JCC executive director, said the summer camps kicked oﬀ June 1
as originally planned.
“That was our original planned start day, which we were able to keep since the
governor allowed camps to reopen then,” he said. “Because of our other
operations during the pandemic, we were operating the essential worker child
care and the mobile meals program, which allowed us to have staﬀ on hand
doing that work while also preparing for the camp — with the hope it would
happen, which it did.”
He said the state issued health guidelines to operate the camp safely and had
approved the JCC to have a temporary child care pandemic license in March.
This allowed programs for children to be run under restrictions such as limiting
class sizes to six children, not mixing classes and teachers, and children and
teachers being quarantined to rooms during designated times.
Rawl said the summer camp one of the main modiﬁcations is canceling all ﬁeld
trips due to transportation issues and the challenge of going out into the public
in large groups.
“We were able to maintain a number of the specialty camps, which can be done
safely such as art-related, horseback riding, and e-sports camp with competitive
video gaming, and the having swimming at the 400,000-gallon outdoor
swimming pool at the 7-acre Logan Camp site in Liberty,” Rawl said.
There is also limitation on group sizes to nine campers with the same camp
counselor at a time in a location.
“We are going in smaller groups there more frequently this summer because we
do not want to overcrowd the pool and need to transport smaller numbers of
children,” Rawl said.

https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2020/06/summer-camp-with-a-twist-at-jcc/

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7/6/2020

Summer camp with a twist at JCC | News, Sports, Jobs - The Vindicator

Andy Lipkin, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation executive vice president, said
keeping a certain number of children together and not mixing classes helped to
keep children and families safe from March to May.
He said pandemic child care was provided for children of essential workers of
Heritage Manor and Levy Gardens and eventually also included children of
essential workers at other places in the community.
Lipkin said with the outdoor swimming pool, there are diﬀerent days for bringing
diﬀerent groups of children to swim instead of how it was done last year, when
all children went on the same day.
“We bring the children in much smaller groups as well as social distancing when
in the pool,” Lipkin said.
Three large tent areas were set up on the main campus near the playground to
allow groups of children to be in diﬀerent areas including for lunch and craft and
arts activities.
Madeline Long, 11, of Leetonia, who had completed a chalk drawing on the
cement, said: “It is a lot of fun to get to be here with others.”
Madeline and others were running around and throwing water balloons to cool
each other oﬀ with the 90-degree temperatures this week.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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6/18/2020

Home | JCC Manhattan Day Camp

IT IS WITH DEEP SADNESS THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE CANCELLATION OF OUR 2020
SUMMER CAMP SEASON AT DAY CAMP @ THE JCC.

(/)

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6/18/2020

Home | JCC Manhattan Day Camp

WELCOME TO THE DAY CAMP @ THE JCC
Day Camp @ the JCC is a place for exploration and opportunity; a place to try
new things and to enjoy favorites with friends. We create an environment where
campers feel safe to stretch, and continue to grow in the areas they love most. Day
Camp @ the JCC focuses on age-appropriate developmental skills, with new
specialty options added each year to meet campers growing needs. Our camps
focus on three primary values: building community, gratitude and wonder, and
personal growth and development. Day Camp @ the JCC serves children ages 3-6
years old.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our camp community!

REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US

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SAMPLE SCHEDULES

GROW WITH US AT

MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN
At the JCC, we nurture families by cultivating experiences where children can thrive,
parents can connect, and families can grow together.
LEARN MORE (HTTP: //JCCMANHATTAN.ORG/FAMILY-LIFE/ )

(http://jccmanhattan.org/family-life/)

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Home | JCC Manhattan Day Camp

(/)

CONTACT INFO

Address
334 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY, 10023
646.505.4430

OUR PARTNERS

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Home | JCC Manhattan Day Camp

OUR CAMPS

(http://campsettoga.org)

(http://jccmanhattan.org/family-life/teens/performing-

arts/)

Copyright © 2020 Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. All Rights Reserved.
USERWAY

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6/18/2020

Home | Settoga

×

IT IS WITH DEEP SADNESS THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE CANCELLATION OF OUR 2020
SUMMER CAMP SEASON AT CAMP SETTOGA.

(/)

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6/18/2020

Home | Settoga

WELCOME TO CAMP SETTOGA!
Camp Settoga offers New York City campers room to grow, explore, and discover
outdoor adventure on 21 pristine acres. Our dedicated leadership team, counselors,
coaches, and wellness team are excited to be a part of your child’s growth and
development while providing pathways to Jewish life and identity. Camp Settoga
serves children ages 4-12 years old.
We look forward to welcoming your child to our growing camp community!

REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US

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Home | Settoga

VIRTUAL TOUR

GROW WITH US AT

MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN
At the JCC, we nurture families by cultivating experiences where children can thrive,
parents can connect, and families can grow together.
LEARN MORE (HTTP: //JCCMANHATTAN.ORG/FAMILY-LIFE/ )

(http://jccmanhattan.org/family-life/)

campsettoga.org/?_ga=2.191906092.746260099.1592529414-1419553444.1586828602

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Home | Settoga

(/)

CONTACT INFO

Summer Address
127 Call Hollow Road
Pomona, NY, 10970
845.362.0409
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Home | Settoga

Winter Address
334 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY, 10023
646.505.4430

OUR PARTNERS

Foundation for Jewish Camp (http://www.jewishcamp.org/)
(http://www.acacamps.org/campers-families/planning-camp/preparing-camp/funsafety-aca-accredited-camps-set-standard)
A proud partner of UJA Federation of New York

OUR CAMPS

(http://jccmanhattandaycamp.org/)
(http://jccmanhattan.org/family-life/teens/performingarts/)

USERWAY

Copyright © 2020 Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. All Rights Reserved.

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5/21/2020

Camp Morasha - Posts

Camp Morasha
15 hrs ·
This was hard to write, but we feel that it's the only path forward. Our message to our camp community
tonight:
Dear Parents, Staff, and Alumni,
I vividly recall being dropped off at the bus for my first summer at camp. As a third grader, it was no doubt
an intimidating and emotional experience. As I said goodbye to my parents with tears in my eyes, they turned
to me and said: “We promise you – once you get to camp, youʼll never want to leave.” They couldnʼt have
known how right they would be. Itʼs been almost 30 years since that moment, and I havenʼt left camp since.
Camp quickly became the gravitational force around which everything revolved. At a young age, I could see
my Jewish identity being formed through camp and closest friendships forged at camp. When choosing a
career, I knew that nothing would be more fulfilling than to help create this experience for future generations
of children – and for the past decade I have been fortunate to do so in the capacity of Camp Director. Each
summer brings its own unique challenges, but every summer provides the nachat of watching children grow
in their Jewish values, self-esteem, and confidence.
I know Iʼm not alone in living “10-for-2” and recognizing the importance of camp. This is true in any standard
year, exponentially more so in the time we find ourselves now. The fact that our kids and families need camp
now more than ever made the decision for Summer 2020 all the more difficult, and ultimately all the more
devastating. After months of deliberation, alternative planning, reviewing all available policies from the CDC,
ACA and the State of Pennsylvania, in addition to receiving guidance from medical experts and Rabbinic
poskim, it is with deep sadness that we inform you that Camp Morasha will not be operating our various
programming – Camp, Kollel, Yachad, Sulam and Mania – for the upcoming 2020 Season.
WHY THIS DECISION
Our parents have come to appreciate complete transparency in our communications and so I feel compelled
to share the various factors that led to this incredibly difficult decision. These concerns are based on facts
and guidance already issued from the CDC and ACA, for the entire summer:
(1) Safety is our #1 Priority: Each night in camp, our leadership team goes to sleep (the nights we get to
sleep!) carrying the heaviest of responsibilities: ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of over 1,600
neshamot. We constantly communicate that ‘Safety is our #1 priorityʼ – and that value is reflected in our
staff, programming, and policies. At this point in time, I simply do not feel that I can communicate this with
complete confidence for the upcoming summer – not because of what we know, but more so because of
what we do not yet know about this virus. The science and studies seem to be rapidly changing, testing is
not yet 100% accurate nor is it widely available for on-site testing at summer camps and, I believe, that any
goal to create a ‘camp bubbleʼ is filled with many holes. I cannot in good conscience take a chance on our
childrenʼs safety and no signed waiver will make me more comfortable doing so. Itʼs not about what might be
safer for our kids this summer, but rather whether we can ensure complete safety for every individual in our
care. This achrayut has been and will always be our #1 priority.
(2) The Camp that Kids Love: Camp is about community and camaraderie, boundless fun and friendship. I do
not believe that the social distancing restrictions expected from camp this summer will be practical in a
camp setting, remotely feasible to enforce or pleasant for our campers. What does camp look like with social
distance swimming and no contact sports? How can we possibly expect friends within the same age group
not to meaningfully interact in one room or at one activity? Can we actually enforce siblings in camp or staff
working with various age groups not to naturally engage with one another? Is it practical to expect campers
to wear masks when indoors and staff to be masked all day? How can we send home a camper or staff
member and ALL those who had contact with them every time someone exhibits COVID-like symptoms?
These symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose) are seen on a daily basis in a normal summer! I believe our kids
https://www.facebook.com/morashacamp/posts/2618029945136302?__xts__[0]=68.ARAgFSkYL9w0PJ676jdXgX_Wz26OKF3uA3lgeW-BbzuYVD0JoZYvJaeYDJ…

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Camp Morasha - Posts

want to go to the camp they love. This is not it and will not be the ‘return to normalcyʼ that we all crave for
our children. If anything, it will most likely prove to be a frustrating experience for them.
(3) Kiddush Hashem: We appreciate that our decisions carry with them the awesome responsibility of
Kiddush Hashem. The relationships with our neighbors and local hospital in Wayne County are critical to our
continued success as a camp. Similar to communities expressing their legitimate concerns regarding guests
traveling across state lines for Pesach, our local community's perspective must be equally considered. I also
deeply fear that, despite our best efforts, we will simply be unable to ensure complete compliance with the
guidelines and restrictions imposed upon us. This might very well lead to Chillul Hashem, not to mention the
potential of having to send home hundreds of both symptomatic and asymptomatic campers and staff back
into communities across the country.
(4) Travel Restrictions: We have no realistic indication that our Sulam campers will be able to fly to Israel this
summer and, if permitted, what the protocols might be upon arrival. We also have concerns regarding what
guidelines Israel might impose if a COVID case would surface on a program like Sulam. Additionally, travel
restrictions currently in place prevent 100+ international staff members from joining us at camp this summer.
(5) Legal Ability to Open: In addition to the concerns listed above, we have not yet received a green light
from State of Pennsylvania to operate camp and it remains unclear if and when such permission is
forthcoming. We have already seen neighboring states limit their camp operations to Day Camps only.
Furthermore, it is not yet confirmed that even if camp can ultimately open, whether there will be limitations
to only allow campers and staff to attend camp from regions with similar level of community spread (as per
CDC guidelines), which would exclude virtually all of our communities. We are unsure of the timeline for this
guidance but, at this time, feel that it may be somewhat irrelevant due to the more fundamental issues
outlined above.
In the event that all the concerns noted above can be addressed within the next few weeks and we feel we
can operate any of our programs safely, even for a shortened amount of time, we will notify our parents
immediately. In the meantime, I want to thank our parents for their continued support and input throughout
this entire process. I know how hard itʼs been and how much we have all been praying for a different
conclusion – we hope our sharing this decision at this time offers you a greater ability and clarity to plan
ahead. Additionally, I want to thank my colleagues from other camps and travel programs with whom Iʼve
been in touch on a near daily basis. While weʼll each be reaching our own individual decisions in our own
timeframes, their support and friendship has been invaluable.
MOVING FORWARD
Coming to this decision was gut-wrenching for us, and we recognize that it will be the same for our campers
and community. Itʼs heartbreaking – thereʼs no two ways about it. As we look ahead, here are a few things to
keep in mind:
Support for Children: Know that we are here to help in any way we can. I will be communicating this decision
directly to our campers through a video being posted shortly, and will be sharing information on campercentric sessions to give our children the opportunity to comfort one another and celebrate all that is magical
about Morasha. Until then, our staff is here in any way we can to help as our campers digest this difficult
news.
Support for Parents: We are all in this together, as a camp family and community. If you have any questions
or concerns not otherwise covered in this letter, I am always available and would love to hear from you. You
can reach me any time over email or by phone.
Camp Payments & Refunds: Canceling camp this summer is a decision based on our values, with health and
safety as our top priority. Offering a full tuition refund is also consistent with our values, sending a clear
message that we are here for our families during these difficult times. This is the right decision, even though
it will leave the camp with a crushing deficit. A separate email will be sent next week outlining the options
available for families.
Summer 2020 Programming: I know you trust that we have explored every possible scenario to make camp
happen this summer. In addition to evaluating a delayed summer, abbreviated summer, and multi-sessions

https://www.facebook.com/morashacamp/posts/2618029945136302?__xts__[0]=68.ARAgFSkYL9w0PJ676jdXgX_Wz26OKF3uA3lgeW-BbzuYVD0JoZYvJaeYDJ…

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for various age groups, we also explored two alternative campuses in Connecticut to host (or split) the
camp, designed a concept for ‘Family Campʼ at Morasha, and even researched running a destination Kosher
summer family trip in villas for camp families. Unfortunately, the aforementioned concerns rendered these
impossible. That said, we are hopeful that as restrictions ease, possible programming opportunities may
emerge. We are currently working with the Orthodox Union to explore meaningful and creative programming
ideas to provide real structure to our childrenʼs summer days. We will continue to monitor these possibilities
as the weeks progress while we line up events throughout the summer for our camp family to reunite and
enjoy. Weʼve also begun to discuss how this impacts future summer programming, including a post-11th
grade Sulam experience for our current 10th graders for Summer 2021.
As I write this email, I find myself welling up with tears once again – but this time because I wonʼt be
providing that opportunity for campers and staff to board those buses to enjoy the transformative and joyful
experience of summer camp. As camp people, we know how to weather storms. Itʼs what we do. Since our
campʼs founding in 1964, weʼve had our fair-share of challenges – but thatʼs never stopped us from
recommitting ourselves to our campʼs mission of instilling our core Jewish values through the vehicle of
unparalleled fun, creative, and dynamic programming. This is no doubt an unprecedented challenge, but we
will get through it, together, with resilience and courage, as we always do.
With hope for better days ahead,
Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha
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5/21/2020

COVID-19 Update | Camp Moshava Ennismore

COVID-19 Update

Dear Parents, Campers and Staff,
Our hearts are broken as yesterday the Government of Ontario announced that all
overnight camps will not be permitted to operate in the summer of 2020.
We want to express our gratitude for all of your support. Thank you for sharing
your hopes and dreams of spending the summer of 2020 together. We too have
hoped, dreamed, and worked hard to make it possible to see everyone at camp this
summer. Over the last two months, our professional staff has tirelessly examined
every possible scenario to open this summer, but in the end this decision was out of
our hands.
The health and safety of our campers, staff, and families will always be our top
priority and we fully understand why Ontario camps cannot run this summer.
This, of course, does not make it any easier to process.
We know you have a lot of questions and we will be in touch in the coming days
and weeks with answers.
We will provide full and detailed instructions on how to receive a tuition refund, how
to help Moshava through a donation or other options that may work for your family.
https://campmoshava.org/campers-parents/covid-19update/

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5/21/2020

COVID-19 Update | Camp Moshava Ennismore

The ﬁscal implications of closing camp are serious. Missing a season will have an
impact on our budget, our programming, and our organization for years to come.
We will let you know how we plan to bring Camp Moshava to your children this
summer. Camp is more than a place. We love camp, live camp, and know that our
kids need camp now more than ever. As soon as we have more details, we will
provide details on our virtual Moshava BaMachshev programming.
We would like to invite our entire Camp Moshava community to a special Zoom
gathering. Additional details to come, but please hold the date and time: Sunday,
May 24th at 10:00 am EDT.
Mach Hach 2020 save Sunday, May 24th at 5 pm EDT (but you are also welcome
to join us at 10 am).
Our thoughts and hearts are with our entire Moshava family. We are heartbroken,
but we look optimistically and enthusiastically toward the future. We will be back in
Ennismore in 2021, and we will be better than ever, delivering the kind of
camp magic that transforms our community into the loving, spirited, Moshava
chanichim we’re proud to call our own.
On behalf of the Vaad and our professional staff, we wish you continued health,
Vicky, Tova and David

https://campmoshava.org/campers-parents/covid-19update/

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5/14/2020

https://urj.org/print/251192

Published on URJ (https://urj.org)

A Heartbreaking Announcement: In-Person URJ Camps, Israel and
Youth Programs Canceled for Summer 2020
Published: 4/30/2020
Categories: Youth, Camp, Israel Programs, Journal of Youth Engagement, Youth Group Programs
Tags:
Campaign for Youth Engagement, Summer Youth Experience, Youth Engagement, camp, coronavirus

Among the many difﬁcult decisions we have had to face together, today we share one that is especially difﬁcult:
After months of carefully following and evaluating the evolving COVID-19 situation, the URJ has reached the
heartbreaking, difﬁcult, and values-based decision to cancel all in-person activities this summer. This includes
our 15 summer camps, as well as all Israel/travel programs and in-person youth activities.
Notiﬁcations conveying the news, along with our deep sadness, were sent today to families, staff, faculty, and
other members of our camp and youth communities. We also shared with them that if, at any point, new
conditions change that lead us to be able to provide in-person gatherings, doing so will be our top priority.
Each year, nearly 25,000 Reform Jewish youth, teens, young adults, and families are inspired by and ﬁnd their
home in our programs. This year will mark the ﬁrst time since 1947 that the Reform Jewish Movement will not
have on-site summer camps in session.
Coming to This Difﬁcult Decision
We arrived at this difﬁcult conclusion after ongoing conversations with local, regional, and federal medical
authorities and other experts, as well as deep exploration by the URJ’s camp professional and lay leadership
teams. Ultimately, we determined that there are simply too many risks – both known and unknown, both now and
over the full summer – to hold our programs as usual.
Although we have continued to plan, prepare, pray, and hope for another transformative summer, the risks posed
by COVID-19 threaten our most sacred values: the health and well-being of our children, staff, and faculty that
attend camp, along with their communities back home.
These risks also compromise our ability to provide the excellence in programming and participant care that are
hallmarks of URJ camps. The changes that would be required to beloved activities – reducing the number of
campers in a cabin, no contact sports or Shabbat strolls, and more – would render the heart of the camp
experience unrecognizable and would not permit us to live by our values of health, safety, and community.
Campers, staff, and faculty with asthma, respiratory conditions, and other health challenges would be extremely
vulnerable, resulting in their exclusion from our communities and thus contradicting another one of our core
values – inclusion.
Emotional Support for Campers, Staff, and Families
URJ and camp staff, including mental health support staff, clergy, professional, and lay leaders, are on hand to
provide immediate emotional support in a variety of ways, including resources to help families share this news
with their children. In the coming days, individual camp communities will join together on Zoom to comfort one
another and celebrate all that is good and special about camp.
https://urj.org/print/251192

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5/14/2020

https://urj.org/print/251192

We are deeply grateful for everyone who is part of the URJ camp and youth staff
team, including alumni, our faculty from Reform congregations, international staff, and
Israeli shlichim (emissaries), all of whom have deep emotional connections to camp and our campers. This is an
incredibly difﬁcult time, but the power of our entire camp community, and our support for each other, is
immeasurable.
While nothing can replace the feeling of being together at camp, the URJ is committed to offering a virtual camp
experience this summer to ensure that the ties that bind campers to one another and to their summer home remain
as strong as ever. The URJ team will be serving camp families, staff, and communities
in new, creative, and different ways through this unique moment in time.
Virtual Experiences: Bringing Home the Magic of Camp
Not having camp in person this season will be absolutely heartbreaking, but we will continue in our mission to
inspire even more young people (and, indeed, people of all ages) to embrace Jewish life as a path to meaning,
purpose, and joy. In the URJ’s camping system, the magic of camp is created by the unique partnerships and
relationships between staffers, , faculty, artists, campers, and families – and this same magic will continue to
bring our community together now.
In the weeks leading up to Memorial Day, we’ll share additional information about Movement-wide
opportunities to participate in regional and specialty camp programming focused on creative arts, science and
technology, sports, Jewish learning and worship, songleading, and more – and fortunately, we already know what
an impact these virtual opportunities can make during difﬁcult times.
Within the past month, URJ communities – including camps, NFTY, and the Religious Action Center of Reform
Judaism – have hosted more than 400 online youth programs, resulting in nearly 100,000 engagements across
virtual platforms. These creative gatherings for campers, teens, families, alumni, and other supporters are
nurturing friendships, joy, comfort, meaningful Jewish rituals, learning, and personal growth.
See our full URJ Camp and Youth Virtual Programming Calendar, updated regularly with new opportunities.
Considering the Financial Impact of This Decision
The decision to cancel in-person activities at camp this year is based on our values, with health and safety as our
top priority. This is the right decision, even as the reality is also clear that its ﬁnancial ramiﬁcations are
signiﬁcant, both today and looking forward.
Several options are available for families regarding tuition paid for the 2020 season, including making a
donation, which will be generously matched by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation; crediting fees paid for use on
future URJ programs; and/or receiving a refund.
Moving Forward and Looking to the Future – Together
We are deeply thankful to all of the leaders in our Reform community and beyond who are helping to provide
care and support for everyone connected to our camps and summer programs during this difﬁcult time.
We know, too, that camp extends beyond physical locations and buildings; it dwells in our hearts and friendships,
our values and souls. We’ve learned this lesson by overcoming difﬁcult circumstances in the past, and as we face
this most signiﬁcant challenge, we are strengthened by the URJ’s vibrant spiritual community, which has shaped
Jewish lives for generations, l’dor vador.
As we sing at camp, “Hineh mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad,” how good it is for us to be together
– and how thankful we will be when we can be together again. Until then, may we each ﬁnd strength through this
painful news and move forward together towards hope, joy, and better days ahead.
https://urj.org/print/251192

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5/14/2020

https://urj.org/print/251192

Rabbi Rick Jacobs is the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman is chair of
the URJ’s North American Board of Trustees. Ruben Arquilevich is the vice president for URJ camps, NFTY,
and immersives, and Shelley Niceley Groff is URJ vice chair and North American camping chair.
Have something to say about this post? Join the conversation in The Tent, the communications and collaboration platform for
congregational leaders of the Reform Movement. You can also tweet us or tell us how you feel on Facebook.

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Source URL (modiﬁed on 04/30/2020 - 3:16pm): https://urj.org/blog/2020/04/30/heartbreaking-announcementperson-urj-camps-israel-and-youth-programs-canceled

https://urj.org/print/251192

3/3
7/8/2020

From: ALEH <email@koshermedia.com>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 11:07 AM
Subject: [EXT] - For ALEH’s kids, a safe and stimulating summer begins with YOU…

**External Email**

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For ALEH’s kids, a safe and stimulating summer begins with YOU…

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As we continue to shield our immunocompromised
residents with severe disabilities from COVID-19,
our usual summer programming will have a new
look and take on an added level of urgency.
For our kids, summer programming isn’t just about
fun – it’s also a critical framework for ongoing
special education and individualized growth and
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7/8/2020

development.
With YOUR HELP, we can still provide them with
wonderful opportunities for educational enrichment
and stimulating summer fun in a safe and secure
environment, including:

YOUR SUPPORT will also help us maintain our
sterile environment by ensuring the constant
sanitization of all facilities and providing our
staff and volunteers with personal protective
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equipment and private transportation.
A safe, stimulating and joyful summer for our
amazing ALEH kids begins with YOU!

KosherMedia
Tel: 212-564-4309
email@koshermedia.com

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