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My Jewish Leadership Journey

My Jewish Leadership Journey

When I think about this past summer at Camp Newman, what stands out most isn’t just the songs or the late-night laughs with friends—it’s the way camp gave me the chance to step into leadership in a new way.

The Meaning of Community for Our Mishlachat

During the final Shabbat of the summer, several members of our Mishlachat - Israeli staff members - offered readings about their connections to camp, home, and community at such an uncertain time. We hope you will find as much meaning in their thoughtful words as our...

Exploring Our Relationship With Israel

Exploring Our Relationship With Israel

By Shayna "Shosh" Dollinger Summer Education Director Rabbinic Student at Hebrew Union College Jewish summer camp is the perfect place to learn about, process, and reckon with what it means to be a diaspora Jew in relationship with the state, nation and people of...

On Grit and the Bonim Cheer

On Grit and the Bonim Cheer

by Rachel Slaton, Director of Communications On Thursday, a member of our communications team (surprise: it was me!) was taking photos at the Low Ropes Course for a cabin of Bonim campers. Sadie, one of our wonderful ropes course specialists, was facilitating a series...

Newman is Worth the Journey

Newman is Worth the Journey

By Rabbi Alex Kress Beth Shir Shalom, Santa Monica Session Gimmel Camp Faculty I grew up at URJ Camp Harlam in Pennsylvania. I started camp the summer before my Bar Mitzvah. Just before that giant milestone, I discovered a Judaism at camp that felt joyful, unbound,...

Kindness for It’s Own Sake

Kindness for It’s Own Sake

At Camp Newman, Jewish learning isn’t confined to books or classrooms—it comes alive in the ways campers interact with one another and the world around them. One of the most powerful examples of this is the “Mitzvah Mensches” elective in Tzofim (12- and 13-year-olds)....

3 Things to Pack for Camp (that you won’t find on the packing list)

3 Things to Pack for Camp (that you won’t find on the packing list)

#1: Your Voice Not only will you need your voice for cheering, singing and laughing, but you will also need your voice to speak up for yourself when you need something. Not “if” you need something, but “when” you need something. At camp, you get to practice being...

Skills Beyond Summer

Skills Beyond Summer

by Jordanna Flores, Mechina Director When I’m driving or just brushing my teeth, I have imaginary conversations with people—people I know, people I have never met. Yes, I know this is a product of my anxiety. (See what I did there? I imagined what you would say, and I...

Sunday Funday: Camp for ALL

Sunday Funday: Camp for ALL

We work everyday to create spaces of belonging and we know that people want to go where they are included, where their needs are valued as an essential component of the experience. 

Out of Office: Women’s Retreat 2025

Out of Office: Women’s Retreat 2025

The retreat did a great job of balancing rest, rejuvenation, and opportunity to learn and enjoy. It’s worth saving [for the flight and to stay in The Lodge] and making this an annual gift to myself. I want to attend again next year.