Chances Are,
You Don't Need
Hebrew Free Loan.
Chances Are,
You know
Someone Who Does.
It might be a friend, a family member
or an employee. It might solve
a problem or prevent an emergency.
Urge them to call us at (248) 356 5292.
Chances are, we can help.
-
HEBREW FREE LOAN
ASSOCIATION
21550 W. 12 Mile, Southfield, Mi 48067
When There's Nowhere Else To Turn,
Turn To Hebrew Free Loan.
To learn more about
Genesis at Brandeis University,
please contact us at:
781-736-8416
781-736-8122 FAX
wt,'
genesis @brandeis.edu
or visit ourWeb site:
www,brandeis.edufgenesis
1 °-***.t34?.4
Nt%s%c%
YteC 0/
Cam
CALL for FREE BROCHURE
30 Galesi Drive • Wayne, NJ 07470
Call TOLL FREE 800-831-1313
Why This Generation
Needs Jewish Camps
RON SUSSMAN
Special to the Jewish News
They are places where kids can feel
safe and comfortable learning about,
and expressing, their Judaism because
the campers are surrounded by other
Jewish children — most of whom
come from similar backgrounds.
A Jewish summer camp creates a
mini-Jewish community and a feeling
of belonging. It's that feeling of
hatever happened to the
(<
good old days" when
afternoon Hebrew
school four and five
days a week and junior congregation
on Saturday filled kids' lives?
Or when bar or
bat mitzvah lessons
and parties were the
ultimate Jewish
experience? And
when going to a
camp ru n by Jews
was considered
going to a Jewish
camp, even though
most of the time was
spent making arrow-
heads and getting
swimming badges?
Times have
changed, and most
Keshet Bunk at the JCC Day Camp.
Jewish children are
not exposed to the
range of experiences
that were inherent in living in the
belonging and enfranchisement that
Jewish community of a generation
most often translates into committed,
ago. To ensure a strong Jewish identi-
contributing members of the adult
ty today, more than a family commit-
Jewish community.
ment is necessary.
Are you looking for a Jewish
The formal instruction our chil-
camping experience for your child
dren receive at the Detroit area insti-
this summer?
tutions of Jewish education is insuffi-
If so, ask the following questions:
• Is the camp part of a larger
cient alone to prepare the next gener-
ation for leadership roles. All studies
movement?
show that a third type of Jewish edu-
• Does the movement have staff
cation creates the strongest correla-
training as a priority? Where does the
tion for active participation in the
counseling staff come from? Are they
Jewish community: the informal
members of the movement or recruit-
Jewish education that children receive ed "off the street''?
in youth groups and at Jewish sum-
• Is there an Israel experience as
mer camps.
the culmination of participation in
Often kids who have no other
the program?
• How are Judaism, Hebrew and
Jewish education "find" their Judaism
at summer camp. How does this hap-
Israel integrated into the program?
pen? Summer camps are places where
• Is the camp a healthy place?
kids come together at a time when
What is its safety record?
the influence of the peer group is
• How is Shabbat observed?
• Are references available from
strongest. What better time to use
the influence of the peer group to
local parents?
turn on" a kid to his Judaism?
Sending your child to summer
By Jewish camps, I mean more
camp does not absolve the family of
than a camp owned and run by Jews.
responsibility for Jewish education
Jewish camps make Jewish issues, val-
year-round, but it does provide the
ues and content a major part of the
third strong leg that makes up the tri-
program.
pod of Jewish education: family, for-
mal education and informal (camp
Ron Sussman is director of Habonim
and
youth group) experiences.
Camp Tavor.
lr
"