by rmellman | Nov 21, 2025 | From the Blog
By Phil Hankin, RJE Director of Education at Temple Emanu-El of San Jose URJ Camp Newman Faculty Member UAHC Camp Swig Alum This year’s Fall Camp/West Coast Party Jr weekend was a huge success. Over 230 2nd-8th graders attended the weekend, with the most spectacular...
by rmellman | Nov 21, 2025 | From the Blog
By Joanne Greene Lisette & Axel’s YoYo Past-Chair & Current Board Member, URJ Camp Newman Witnessing the love between grandparents and grandchildren is sacred. Seeing them sharing holy moments – singing songs to welcome Shabbat, sharing evening...Camp Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
afischman@urj.org
Rabbi Allie oversees all of Camp Newman’s year-round and summer operations, and directly supports Camp Newman’s Associate and Senior Assistant Directors. She brings over 18 years of experience as a Jewish professional to this position. She believes in the power of Jewish camp to inspire a love of Judaism, allow campers and staff alike to believe in themselves, and to become their best selves.
Rabbi Allie joined the Camp Newman community in 2012 as a Rosh Eidah (Unit Head) and has since filled the roles of CIT Director, Staff Week Coordinator and from 2014-2018, Associate Director. She has been a songleader and teacher in the Chicago suburbs and the Los Angeles Reform Jewish communities since 2000. In 2012, Allie was earned a Masters in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and was ordained as Rabbi by HUC-JIR in May 2015. She lives in the East Bay with her children, Jude the Dude and Baby JoJo.
| When | What | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00-5:00 | Welcome & Registration | Arrive anytime in this window. If you can, leave yourself enough time to get settled in your room and enjoy some optional activities until the official program starts. |
| 5:00 | Kids meet counselors | Drop the kids off with their counselors to play get-to-know-you games |
| 5:15 | Adult orientation & mixer w/ refreshments | Get all the info you need to feel at home and meet other adults. Don't worry if you have to miss orientation-it will all be in writing! |
| 6:00 | Dinner | Together with grandkids and other families! |
| 6:45 | Shabbat song session/t'fillah | You don't need to know the words! Just clap along! |
| Siyum (closing circle) | Nightly closing circle. Take a deep breath to appreciate the day we had. Peel off at any time if your grandchild's bedtime is earlier. | |
| Israeli dance | It isn't a camp Shabbat without some Israeli dancing! | |
| 8:00 | Shmira begins | Counselors outside the cabin area to supervise so you can join the activities. See Program Guide for details. |
| 9:00 | Adult schmooze | |
| 11:00 | Shmira ends |
| When | What | Why/how |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Early Risers unstaffed activities, coffee & cold snacks | Wake up early? We'll have some games, coffee and snacks. Grandparents should accompany the kids during this time. |
| 7:30-8:30 | Morning Options | Wake up early and ready for activities? Star Hike (self guided), Yoga Class |
| 7:30-9:00 | Breakfast | Rolling breakfast: come when you want, stay as long as you like. |
| 9:00-11:00 | Camp Fun! | Camp options-tie dye challah covers, challah braiding, self-guided Gratitude Nature Walk |
| 11:00-12:00 | Self Portrait Discovery | In the style of Israeli artist, Hanoch Piven, make a self-portrait from found objects to tell your family about yourself |
| 12:00 | Lunch | |
| 12:45 | Menucha-quiet rest/play time | story time in staff lounge, quiet play time together with grandkids. |
| 1:45 | Its its--Newman's beloved tradition: ice cream sandwiches | |
| 2:00-4:00 | Grown-Up Optional Activities | Free swim or climb the tower. Send your grandkids with their counselors while you take a break or join them (sign up at lunch to tell us your plans) |
| 4:15-5:00 | Personal Nikayon (shower time) | gkids w/gparents |
| 5:15 | Happy Hour/snacky hour | Kids with counselors & Grandparents with each other! |
| 6:00 | Dinner | |
| 7:00 | S'mores | |
| 7:30 | Havdallah & Siyum | Short ritual that separates Shabbat from the week, followed by closing circle together as a community |
| 8:00 | Shmirah begins | |
| Talent Show/Camp songs | ||
| 9:00 | "Keep your mouth shut" & other issues | Facilitated Conversation for Grandparents |
| 11:00 | Shmirah ends |
| When | What | Why/how |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Early Risers unstaffed activities, coffee & cold snacks | Wake up early? We'll have some games, coffee and snacks for grandparents and grandkids together. |
| 8:00-9:00 | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 | Bringing Camp Home With You | Closing program: story, tree planting, family tree together in family groups. |
| 10:00 | Closing Circle | |
| 10:15 | Packing time | Optional: Counselors on duty on the mirpeset while adults are packing. |
| 11:00 | L'hitraot (see you next time!) |
Yes! As you can see from the tentative schedule, we have taken into account that grandparents want to spend as much time with their grandchildren as possible and also might need a break. We will have designated counselors for families to use as “back up” to support grandparents. On Saturday afternoon, we have an “Adults Optional” 2-hour block when grandparents can choose to take a break or continue to participate in the activities. We have a great balance of activities where you are on-the-go and where you can sit back and enjoy.
No! After you put your grandkids to bed, our counselors are posted around each housing area to listen for kids who wake up or might need something from 8pm to 11pm each evening. If you feel comfortable, you can leave your cabin and join in the adult activities we offer.
We can brag that our food is outstanding! We provide both adult and kid-friendly options that cater to all dietary restrictions. Breakfast cold bar and salad bar at each meal; whole fruit and coffee are always available. If you choose to bring snacks, please keep them in your cabin in a sealed container.
We have a full weekend of activities planned. We do all the work and supply everything that is needed while you come and enjoy! We have some quiet time after lunch when families can rest in their cabins which is a great time for books and quiet games. We will also have counselors running story time and games if grandparents need this time off.
We have a few high chairs to borrow. We recommend bringing your own high chair/booster seat to be sure you have one to use. We do not provide monitors, pack n/ plays or strollers.
All activities are optional and grandparents can take their grandkids to nap or to bed as their own schedules dictate. During naps, a grandparent will be expected to supervise their sleeping child. See above for more about after bedtime supervision.
We have extensive fire protocols in place should there be a wildfire in the area while we are at camp. If a wildfire is affecting our air quality, but not our property, we also have protocols in place that bring our activities indoors.
All of the activities and the dining hall are on a single level and are in close proximity as well as our Village 2 Lodge and Village 1 Cabins. In order to secure these housing choices, register for the weekend as soon as possible. You will also be asked on the registration form if you need housing without stairs or assistance getting around camp. Only specific activities (Climbing Tower, pool) are uphill and we will provide shuttle service to those locations.
Yes. One of the fun parts of camp is the slumber party! Be sure to read about our 2 housing options to choose the one that will have enough beds for your party.
Our front gate is locked at all times and our property is quite compact. The pool is gated and the gate remains locked at all times. When the pool is in use, the gate remains closed. We share our property with animals who very much dislike all the noise we make and stay away from us! Everyone at camp is expected to listen to our grownups, stay on marked paths and move around camp not wander off alone.
This is up to you! We are prepared for kids 0-12. The program is designed for kids 5-12. Some grandparents will bring their infant/toddlers to give parents the weekend off and they are ready to care for those little ones plus our counselors can help out during certain designated hours. Some grandparents will bring only the grandkids who are done with naps and diapers so everyone can fully enjoy the programming.
Yes! We expect warm weather and the pool will be open in the afternoon. Kids can swim with their grandparents or, if grandparents resting in the afternoon, kids can swim with their counselors. We ask that only water-safe kids be dropped off with counselors for swimming. Even when the pool is in use, the gate remains closed. At all other times, the pool gate is locked.
We stock typical over-the-counter medications at camp and can provide them to adults to be administered to their own grandchildren or themselves. If more emergent care is needed, we are within minutes of a hospital. We do not have medical staff on duty during weekend retreats.
That question sounds like you might enjoy our Food & Wine Weekend Sept 13-15 instead of Grandparents Weekend! If you’re looking for a weekend of Sonoma County food & wine, join us then! At Grandparents Weekend we’ll enjoy camp and each other but end in time to try a local restaurant for lunch on Sunday.
Celebrate Chanukah with your family at camp! Buy lunch from the visiting food trucks (and of course the donut & hot chocolate truck!), Chanukah art, STEM light project, community menorah lighting in addition to our Climbing Tower, archery, hiking and optional tours of camp. Registration coming soon!
Come join us for a family fun day at camp! This event is for those in our community with disabilities and their siblings and adults who love them. We will have plenty of accessible camp activities for all including tie dye, drama, dance, music, archery, PJ Library Story Corner and art! Families will also be able to explore Camp Newman’s ropes course, hiking trails and gorgeous campus.
Director, Marketing & Communications
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
rslaton@urj.org
Rachel has been a part of the URJ West Camps team since 2016, as the Associate Director for 6 Points Sports – CA from 2016-2020 as well as for Camp Newman until 2022. She is excited to now be supporting both West Coast camps, Newman and Kalsman, as the Director of Marketing and Communications. Rachel earned Masters in Jewish Non-Profit Management along with a Masters in Public Administration from USC and following graduate school, worked for BJE: Builders of Jewish Education and American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Los Angeles.
She loves being back – giving back – where it all began in 2003 when she applied to be a counselor at Camp Swig having never attended a Jewish summer camp before. For the next three summers at Camp Newman, she served as Rosh Eidah (Unit Head) for Hagigah and Hevrah and then as Avodah Director in 2006. Rachel met her husband Rich at Camp Swig in 2003 and in the off-season they live in Austin, TX with their children, Jack and Ash, and their dog, Boone.
Spend a magical Shabbat with us including Friday night Shabbat song session and Israeli dancing, relaxing adult program options, Jewish family programming and all your favorite camp activities! Connect with other families just like yours and give your kids a pre-summer Taste of Camp. Registration coming soon!
*CHAI 5: CAMP NEWMAN’S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS IN PRE-SCHOOL – K
Get ready for an out-of-this-world weekend at West Coast Party 2024! NFTY CWR, SOCAL SW, and Camp Newman are hosting an in-person NFTY event at URJ Camp Newman. This event is a teen-powered weekend open to participants in grades 9 through 12. Join us for a retreat full of exciting programs, meaningful tefillah experiences, and lots of NFTY/camp fun with new and old friends.
Event description coming soon.
All forms necessary for your camper(s) will be listed on your Forms Dashboard within your account. Please note that if you stop in the middle of completing one of the forms, what you have already entered will NOT be saved. It is important that you be prepared in advance to complete the forms.
Once you have submitted a form, you can review the information that you entered but you cannot edit it. You will have to get in touch with us if you want to change the information. For example, if you signed up for a Bus home and you want to cancel it or change to a different bus, please send an email to campnewman@urj.org or call 415-991-0259 for additional instructions.
Camper Information Form: Must be completed for each individual child attending. This is information that will be very helpful for the camper’s counselors to have. It will contribute to the best summer possible. Please note: there is one section for your CAMPER to complete.
Camper Photo: Upload a current photo of your camper and click “Submit Form”.
Must be completed for each individual child attending. The Health Forms are a combination of online forms:
As well as forms you will need to download, print, complete and upload back to your account. Please note that each camper’s forms have a unique bar code – print each form individually for each camper, do not copy!:
Must be completed for each individual child attending. You will need to download, print, complete and upload back to your account. Please note that each camper’s forms have a unique bar code – print each form individually for each camper, do not copy!:
Danny is thrilled to return to URJ Camp Newman, for the first time since 2017, this time in the capacity of Chef Manager. Danny first attended Newman as a camper and then moved up through staff position before attending culinary school and beginning his career in food. He has cooked for every type of operation imaginable, from fine dining restaurants to movie/TV productions.
Most recently Danny started his own catering business, feeding groups including corporate events, bar mitzvahs, and intimate plated dinners, from San Francisco to New York and beyond. A warm gathering has always been the inspiration behind Danny’s food, making his new role at URJ Camp Newman an intuitive transition! The magic of camp requires nourishing and comforting fuel – and Danny is up for the task.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you can usually find him with his wife Jenna, a Bay Area native and the newest Nefesh team member, or at the movies – where he will see almost anything coming out in theaters. See you at camp!
Director of Development
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
akurland@urj.org
Originally from the Bay Area, Ariel is thrilled to be back home and joining the URJ West team. Prior to this role, she worked as a fundraising and marketing consultant for organizations focused on social impact, including non-profits, tech companies, and think tanks. Before that, she spent 5 years at BBYO working in fundraising and community engagement throughout the West Coast. She continues to be inspired by the URJ West Camp community. The impact that Newman and Kalsman have made on everyone who gets to experience our programs is exceedingly clear. She looks forward to working with our campers, our families, our community partners, and our funders in order to ensure a strong future for our West Coast camps!
Retreat Center Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
mfischman@urj.org
Martee has been working on the full-time team for Camp Newman since 2017. As the Retreat Center Director, she oversees the year-round business at our Porter Creek home, combining her passion for hospitality and camping to create unique and exceptional experiences for all who visit our site.
Before joining the full-time team, she began working for Camp Newman in the summers starting In 2015. Her roles included Dining Hall Manager, Development Associate, Logistics Director and full-time as the Logistics and Development Associate until recently. Martee played a critical role in managing the logistics of our summers at Newman By the Bay.
Growing up in the Chicago Suburbs, Martee was active in USY and attended Tamarack Camps in Michigan. She is a HUGE Chicago Bears fan. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois and In 2015, she received her Master’s in Hospitality Administration as well as a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Director of Year-Round Programs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
jflores@urj.org
Jordanna has been an Experiential Jewish Educator for 20 years. She earned Masters Degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Nonprofit Management from HUC-JIR in Los Angeles and has worked in museum education, family camping, adult education and summer camping. Jordanna has served as the Director of Camp Alonim, the Director of the LA Area Melton School, the Assistant Director of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR LA and the Director of URJ 6 Points West, formerly known as URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech West. She lives in LA with her husband, Aaron and teen twins, Reuben and Shira. She loves puzzles, upcycling t-shirts, reality TV and has a special talent for identifying Jelly Belly flavors.
Associate Camp Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
jshamout@urj.org
Jessie has been working in the field of youth and camping for over 15 years and attributes some of her most transformative experiences to Jewish camp. As a Southern California native, she spent her summers at Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu, then ventured across the country to attend URJ Kutz Camp. While new in this role, she’s excited to return to Porter Creek where she served as faculty for several summers while she was the educator at University Synagogue in Los Angeles. She comes to Newman most recently from Steve & Kate’s Camp, a secular day camp with locations all over the country. She has a BA in Jewish Studies from the University of Arizona (Bear Down!) and a Masters in Education from USC (Fight On!) and looks forward to March Madness every year. When she’s not at camp you can usually catch her at the dance studio or hanging with her family at Disneyland.
Marketing Associate
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
rmellman@urj.org
After a few years away, Rachel is excited to be returning to the world of Jewish summer camps as the URJ West Camp’s Marketing Associate. Rachel began attending Camp Newman in 2007 and continued on through Avodah 2015 and CIT 2016. Owing to the transformative experience she had as a camper, Rachel continued her camp journey as a staff member in 2017-18 and an Avodah advisor in 2019. Rachel is thrilled to be supporting Camp Newman and Camp Kalsman in creating the camp magic they are known for.
In 2021, Rachel graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a BA in Drama and a BS in Astronomy. She is currently living in California’s San Fernando Valley while pursuing a Masters of Music in Vocal Arts from California State University – Northridge.
Business Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
cgore@urj.org
A former camper and counselor at Camp Newman, Casey is thrilled to be joining the West Coast team to support both Camp Newman and Camp Kalsman as the Business Manager. Prior to this role, Casey was a high school counselor and math teacher. She is passionate about building confidence and resilience in young adults – something that so many campers gain from their summer experiences.
Casey is excited to be joining the Business Systems team and supporting camp behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly! In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, going on walks outside and cheering on the Texas Longhorns!
Administrator
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Lisa Kama began her journey with the URJ West Camps at Camp Newman in the summer of 2015, when she first came to camp to volunteer for a few weeks in the Welcome Center. As the years went by, she began spending more and more time at camp, until she joined the year-round team in the fall of 2021 as Administrator. Lisa grew up attending Jewish summer camps and never quite got enough of it, so being back at camp feels like the perfect fit.
Lisa lives in Pleasanton, California with her husband Alon and her two sons, Geffen and Mattan. She is active with Congregation Beth Emek and loves creating Jewish community wherever she goes. Lisa earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Brandeis University and her graduate degree in social work from the University of Haifa. In her free time, Lisa loves jigsaw puzzles, reading, and traveling with her family.
Assistant Camp Director, Staff Engagement
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
asymons@urj.org
Since 2003, Aviva dreamt of living “summertime forever” — and now that dream has come true! A Pittsburgh-er at heart, Aviva found her love of Judaism in the Pocono Mountains at URJ Camp Harlam. This passion grew at Muhlenberg College, where she majored in Jewish Studies and received her Prekindergarten – Fourth Grade Teaching Certification.
Aviva stretched her mid-western roots to the West Coast in 2018 to pursue a Dual Masters Degree at HUC’s Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management and USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She began her career as the Director of Member Engagement at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas. (Go Chiefs!)
When not eating s’mores or Israeli Dancing at Porter Creek, Aviva can be found biking to local farmers’ markets, watching competitive cooking shows, and frequenting The Container Store.
Development Manager
Carly Zenker joined the team in October of 2018 as our Development Associate, after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. As a former URJ camper, NFTYite, and past Newman staff member, Carly knows how much of an impact camp can have on the lives of Jewish young people everywhere. She credits her Jewish camping experience in her youth for helping her to develop her passions for community, Judaism, leadership, and nature. She loves working for camp and getting involved in the diverse Bay Area Jewish community. As someone who moved around a lot as a child, Carly also knows the importance of having a place like camp to call home, and she is grateful to be part of Camp Newman’s story. When she’s not hard at work at her desk thanking camp’s supporters, applying for grants, diving into Salesforce, and working behind the scenes, she spends her time creating Judaism-inspired artwork, playing with her puppy Bandit and his favorite toys, enjoying time in nature and cooking delicious food.
Assistant Retreat Center Director
A.C. joined the team in August of 2021 as Assistant Camp Director. Prior to his time with us, he gained significant experience in informal Jewish education having spent many summers as a Sports Director, Logistics Manager, and Assistant Director for Camp Newman, 6 Points Sports Academy-CA, and Kutz Camp, respectively. He grew up in the Reform movement from his early summers at Camp Newman to serving as President on NFTY SOCAL Regional Board. Upon graduating High School, he served as a youth group advisor and program directors for congregations and JCCs throughout California, Colorado and New York.
A.C. received his B.S. in Sports & Recreation Management from Concordia University. He has a deep love of sports, tv/movies, and anything related to zoos and aquariums.
A.C. is pumped to bring his energy and creativity back to the place that has played such a big part in his life. He is also lucky enough to be able to call camp home 365 days a year as he lives on site in Santa Rosa, California.
Executive Director, CA Youth & Camping
Pronouns: He/Him/His
avared@urj.org
Ari Vared – a former Camp Swig and Newman camper, NFTY participant, staff member and camp director – is the Executive Director of California Camps and Youth. In this leadership role, Ari will help grow the impact and elevate the enriching experiences we provide to thousands of children and teens.
In Ari’s words, “To say I am beyond excited to rejoin the URJ family and work with the incredible teams at Camp Newman and 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy West is an understatement. One of the many blessings of camp and NFTY is that we are steeped in legacy and tradition and yet start anew each year. There is so much goodness to be created and I am hopeful for the future we will build together.”
Senior Assistant Director, Community Engagement
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
rdubowe@urj.org
Growing up in Southern California, Rachel was raised with a love of Jewish experiential learning and sunshine. She is a proud alumna of URJ Kutz Camp, URJ Camp Newman, and NFTY SOCAL. Rachel is a firm believer in the power of summer camp and credits an integral part of her Jewish identity to her summers spent at URJ camps‒where she spent significant time both as a participant and senior staff member, specifically in the realm of camper care and inclusion. Rachel holds a B.S. in Human Development from UC Davis (Go Aggies!) and was very active at her campus Hillel. After participating in a MASA Israel program and working in a variety of Jewish educational programs in the greater LA area, Rachel earned a Master’s in Jewish Education at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College. Upon graduation, Rachel continued her flourishing career in Jewish educational spaces, including Builders of Jewish Education, NFTY SOCAL, Temple Israel of Hollywood and, most recently, as the Senior Assistant Director of 6 Points West Specialty camp. She currently serves as a part-time educator for Moishe House and Foundation for Jewish Camp. Rachel looks forward to bringing her passion for Jewish teachable moments, accessibility, and experiential education to the Camp Newman community!