Rabbi's Messages

on Monday, 25 November 2013.

RABBI'S MESSAGE FOR DECEMBER 2013

Warm weather. Water skiing on the lake. Sports and games. Shabbat under the stars.

It's nice to have something to look forward to. During the cold winter, thoughts of summer keep us warm. And for so many Reform Jews of all generations, summer means URJ camping.

Right now, Jewish kids from Ontario to Mississippi, and from California to North Carolina, are busy dreaming about what this summer will hold in store for them. The Reform movement offers 15 summer camps all over North America – some are regional camps, and others focus specifically on sports, arts, or technology.

Camp is good for kids. It builds strong bodies and healthy souls. It encourages independence, and helps kids try new things. Jewish camp is good for Jewish kids. If you talk to the most active Reform Jews across the continent, many of them will tell you that their Jewish connection came out of those summers they spent in the bunk - making new friends and trying new things and falling in love with Judaism. (I have no doubt that I am a rabbi today because of the seven summers that I spent at URJ Henry S. Jacobs camp in Utica, Mississippi.)

We are lucky that the only Reform Jewish camp in Canada happens to be located not far from Toronto. Beautiful Parry Sound, Ontario, is the home of Camp George, which is celebrating its Bar Mitzvah season this coming summer. Having attended, visited, or spent time at eight different Jewish camps, I can tell you that very little compares with the beauty of George. Ontario’s lake country agrees with Jewish camping!

There are a thousand reasons that we should send our kids to Camp George. We should send them there so that they can learn to water ski. We should send them there so that they can build Jewish identity. But most of all, we should send them there because they will love it, because it will become a part of them.

Is your camper ready to join us at George this summer? Visit the Camp George website for registration or information. And feel free to call me or email me if you have questions about what Jewish camping can do for your child.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Micah Streiffer