Staff will explore the camp’s goals for Israel education, Zionism and Reform Zionism in both a historical and current context.

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.

Inspired by The Amazing Race, this program invites campers to “travel” across Israel. Instead of international destinations, teams will visit three iconic Israeli cities – Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Kinneret – and complete fun, hands-on challenges at each one. After completing the mission in each city, teams receive a clue that leads them to the next location.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.