Using contemporary Israeli music, campers will understand how Jewish music reflects both mourning and hope across history and contemporary Israeli life. Campers will analyze lyrics and melodies for emotional tone and historical context, reflect on their personal reactions to songs of healing and recognize music as a tool for resilience in Jewish culture.
Israel at Camp Program Bank
FJC’s Teaching Israel at Camp (TIAC) was an ambitious program implemented at 70 camps across North America in 2025. This initiative was designed to increase the number and quality of Israel education experiences at camp.
Each camp that participated provided a detailed write-up of one successful initiative they were proud of. The highlighted programs below offer a glimpse into what Israel engagement/education can look like. Each program is available as a Microsoft Word Document and PDF for download.
This list is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive; we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Email Amy Meltzer, Director, Programs, at amy.meltzer@jewishcamp.org.
Staff will explore the camp’s goals for Israel education, Zionism and Reform Zionism in both a historical and current context.
This four-session course invites teenagers to explore how art responds to conflict, trauma, memory and hope through a variety of media and perspectives—from flowers and symbols, street art and graffiti, to personal illustrations and Palestinian art. Each session will include: (a) an opening introduction / discussion, (b) a viewing or interactive exercise with an exemplar artwork, (c) a hands-on creative activity, and (d) a reflection/writing component.
Over Shabbat, we created a space where the counselors could sit comfortably (without their campers) and discuss key issues that concern Israeli society. The format of Café Dilemma provides a structure that enables multiple viewpoints to emerge in a respectful and constructive manner. The first two dilemmas are timeless and can be used in multiple years. The second two are more timely for 2025 but can be presented as representative issues that arise again and again.
This program is an adaptation of the Map Program taught to me by longtime Jewish and Israel educator, Joe Perlov. Using colored masking tape, the facilitator creates and then explores the changing borders of Israel and the Middle East. Campers are invited to “travel” the history and geography by making a large, general map of Israel and the surrounding countries on the floor and then, as the story evolves, tape is added and moved to convey changes in a visual and tactile manner as campers physically stand and traverse the changing maps.
The text-reading program for older campers and staff delves into the complexity of the human condition in Israel. The program is based on Etgar Keret’s October 31, 2023 blog entry, “Israel in 600 words or Less”. By grounding the vast conflict in individual human stories, campers understand that there is no single monolithic narrative.
This interactive program introduces campers to popular Israeli slang through games and group discussions. Campers learn slang terms, hunt for Hebrew letters, and play translation guessing games to reinforce Hebrew vocabulary.
Kesher: Exploring Israeli Culture, History, and Identity
Submitted by Shira Boso
This is a 4-part mini-course designed to introduce campers to Israeli culture, history and multiple narratives. The topics of the 45-60 minute sessions include: Israeli slang and everyday culture, street art and public expression, food as identity, music and modern Israeli voices, behavioral and cultural differences and multiple narratives of historical event, street art and Israeli identity.
This 90-minute program is an opportunity for campers to create their own museum, become “docents” for the exhibit they create, and tour each other’s exhibits. This is a large all-camp program and requires significant preparation. This is a very detailed program. All specifics, including set-up, timing and process for each station are found at the end of this writeup.
This music-based activity introduces campers to well-known Israeli songs that express core cultural values. Campers will explore a lyric, listen to the song, reflect on its meaning, and write their own verse that builds on its message.
In this 2-3 session program, campers explore how archeology helps us uncover Israel’s past as a way to better understand the present. Through hands-on activities, a mock archaeological dig, and interpretive lab work, campers connect ancient finds to historical events, geography, and diverse cultures.
Zooming in and Zooming Out: Jews and Arabs in Israel
Submitted by Anna Tal and Dori Sternfeld
This program introduced campers to the experience of Jews and Israeli Arabs living together in Southern Israel. While it is always possible to find and focus on what separates us, this program reflects connections and similarities that support efforts to work on living in proximity to one another.
