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Geshmak to be a Yid

Geshmak to be a Yid

A Letter from Tzion Kaukira, Staff Member '23    I am writing to express my sincere gratitude towards Camp for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Camp Newman wonderful community. It’s really been a pleasure being there this summer. Being the first...

A Very Camp-y B’not Mitzvah

A Very Camp-y B’not Mitzvah

I felt encouraged to express and explore my Jewish identity and connection to Torah, and I felt like everyone who watched understood how much it meant to me. I’m so glad camp gave me a great experience that I’ll always remember.

Letters from Camp: Rabbi Shawna

Letters from Camp: Rabbi Shawna

My favorite thing about camp is that you can see the Jewish future around you. Camp is filled with kids whose families have chosen to make Jewish camp a priority; many of them are second-generation campers, continuing in their family tradition of spending part of the summer at Jewish camp.

Israel Comes to Life

Israel Comes to Life

Am Yisrael, am Yisrael, am Yisrael chai! Our shlichim (Israeli staff) this summer truly bring life, passion, joy and excitement into every aspect of camp! Our shlichim contribute to camp life in a variety of different ways – some are general counselors, some are...

Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Update

Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Update

At Camp Newman, we believe every human is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God.  With that, we are excited to expand our recognition and celebration of the many forms of diversity within the Jewish community and our camp community. Just as we celebrate our...

The Space is Just Details

The Space is Just Details

I could see how much more loving Camp is now. Alumni Shabbat coincided with Pride Shabbat, and never had I heard campers, staff, and leadership so committed to inclusion. It was heartwarming to discover that this strange land was simply the more developed and more thoughtful version of the place I knew for years.

Back Home, Again

Back Home, Again

Like many of our campers, I counted down the months and days until I got to drive through the gates of camp and hear the words of “Heiveinu Shalom Aleichem” once again. My role at camp as education faculty is very different than as a summer director (I definitely don’t miss the constant calls on the walkie talkie and appreciate that I get to eat meals without 50 questions coming at me!), yet all the positive feelings are the same.

Why I Keep Coming Back

Why I Keep Coming Back

Around the Campfire #1 by Rabbi Mona Alfi, Congregation B'nai Israel - Sacramento One of the great perks of being a rabbi is that you get to keep going to camp as a “grown up.” There is something magical about camp that is different than any other Jewish space. It’s...

We Love our Camp Faculty

We Love our Camp Faculty

When we talk about joyful Judaism, there is a group of essential folks who help create moments of inspiration, connection and reflection for our campers and staff. They put the “LOVE” in “I love being Jewish”. They are self-proclaimed “camp people” many of whom have...

A Tale of 3 Mezuzot

A Tale of 3 Mezuzot

Today, Ruben, your living room returns, in fine fashion. OK, in much better fashion than the one left behind. Even as we know that camp is more about the community we create than the buildings we inhabit, buildings still matter.