From Grief to Grit to Gratitude: A Community of Nachshons
October 9th, 2018, GRIEF consumed the URJ Camp Newman community as our beloved home was ravaged by the Tubbs fire. I’ll never forget one of the messages I received that day -“the Camp Newman community, world wide, is immersed in tears.”
The Indomitable Spirit of Camp Newman by the Bay
Last October when the fires roared through Northern California, and more specifically the Santa Rosa area, the flames incinerated the forested home of our beloved URJ Camp Newman; a spiritual place that has nurtured the Jewish lives of thousands of teens and staff across the western US and inspired dozens of leaders in our movement over the last two decades.
To Be a Mishlachat Is…
Year after year, 15+ Israeli’s come to Camp Newman to spend their summer engaging in a Jewish community across the globe. We call them our Mishlachat, our Israeli delegation. Although it may be a daunting task, their experience results in countless memories and a new perspective of Judaism. They come not only to build lifelong friendships but to help break down barriers and illuminate for our entire camp community what their lives are like back in Israel.
Camp Is Awesome!
Within three weeks following the devastating Santa Rosa fires last fall, and the destruction of Camp Newman, Summer 2018 was planned for an alternate site at California State University Maritime Academy: Camp Newman by the Bay.
Hevrah Campers Ask “What Can We Do to Help?”
Since the 1970’s, our 10th and 11th grade Hevrah campers have stood for a statement of changing the world, every year shifting their focus towards a new theme. This year’s focus is on Economic Inequality, and teens have spent the last several weeks learning about the repercussions of poverty and how drastically it can impact lives.
Gratitudes & Transitions
We are grateful to work and partner with an amazing team of professionals. Please join us in welcoming our new Camp Directors, Beto and Christine, and our new Development and Logistics Associate, Martee!
5 Best Views from Camp
At Newman by the Bay we have been blessed with so many amazing views. Here are five of our favorites!
The Sights & Sounds of Camp
The sights and sounds of Camp Newman are unmistakable. All around, camp is in full swing and chanichim (campers) spend their days seeking fun, playing at the breicha (pool), waiting in a long line for ketchup in the chadar ochel (dining hall), exploring the world around us in teva (nature), learning Israeli dances in preparation for Shabbat, and much, much more.
Dear 4088 Porter Creek Road
A poem to our community by a Hagigah camper. And a letter to Porter Creek by a faculty member & longtime alumna. Both reflecting on camp yesterday and today – and finding that the things they used to complain about are now what they miss the most.