I just read an interesting article in the New York Times Magazine by Noah Feldman, Harvard Law School professor, called, Orthodox Paradox (Published: July 22, 2007). Summed up, it describes “The 12 years I spent at a yeshiva day school made me who I am. Now the school doesn’t acknowledge who I’ve become. A reflection …
The Jewish Journal emailed a bit ago, looking for anecdotes about camp pranks. As a former camp director, head counselor and camper, I have many (mostly) fond memories of some rather creative camp pranks. One of my favorites was highlighted in the Jewish Journal this week: “Camp is a place of freedom, where everything is …
There is something about the URJ Camp Newman that brings out the best about people. It might be the fact that is founded upon a belief that each child is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God (Genesis), and that therefore, no matter what they do or say, they are valuable and good and …
Camp is winding down. I am so sad. It has been a great, uplifting time: 2 weeks of walking around in shorts and sandals, celebrating Shabbat for 25 hours, shmoozing Jewish breakfast through bedtime. Relaxed. Refreshed. Hanging with my posse of Or Ami kids (and other LA area friend’s kids). Climbing the 50′ tower – …
Our children have been attending URJ Camp Newman Jewish summer camp in Santa Rosa, CA since they were born. First as faculty kids and more recently as camper in their own right. At the end of this week, as I depart from camp for a few days of vacation, we will leave our older two …
One quickly becomes enamored with Shabbat at URJ Camp Newman. The energy, excitement and spirituality are overpowering. On Friday night, a sea of campers and staff, dressed in white, greets the Sabbath bride with endless waves of singing, energetic dancing and continuous hugging. The tefillah (prayer services) weaves a spiritual tapestry of traditional prayers, inspirational …
There’s something about being at the URJ Camp Newman Jewish summer camp that reminds me of being at our Congregation Or Ami. Perhaps it is the fact that I am surrounded by so many Or Ami kids – Michelle and I are leading a delegation of about 18 this summer. Perhaps interacting here with so …
Jewish summer camping offers our youth – 3rd through 12th grade students – with a profoundly transformational Jewish experience. Elsewhere it has been shown that as part of the holy (Jewish) trinity of Jewish experiences – synagogue membership/participation, Israel trips and Jewish summer camp – summers at Jewish camp serves to instill a deep appreciation …
There are those who say that when you send a child to summer camp, you present him with the time of his life. I say that when you send a child to summer camp, you provide him with an opportunity to set – or re-set – the course of his life. We have arrived at …
The Jerusalem Post offers this on new Reform Movement focii in Israel: “Part of our Zionist agenda is not only to connect Reform Jews and Israel, but to impact Israeli society,” said [ARZA’s Rabbi Andrew] Davids. “Our commitment to religious justice issues, to democracy, to pluralism, are tremendously important values that need to be strengthened …
Congregant Karen Harris writes: The anticipation had been growing for months. Plans were being made, prayers were being studied and learned in sign language and the Brandon Kaplan Special Needs Fund was being established. When the invitation for Brandon’s Bar Mitzvah service arrived, I immediately responded that of course I would attend. I was honored …
I have been a member of this congregation for seven years, serving on the board of directors and various committees, attending Mishpacha with my family and happily attending many social events and services. However, on Saturday, May 26, 2007, I experienced my proudest Or Ami moment when I attended the service in which Brandon Kaplan …
I seem to always cry at Bar Mitzvah services, mostly because I see our young children turning into young adults. Saturday May 26th, I just cried. I cried when Brandon Kaplan hugged the Torah with all his might, as though his life depended on it. I cried when Brandon’s Grandma spoke to “her” Brandon. I …
Many attended the celebration of Brandon Kaplan becoming a Bar Mitzvah because of the respect for the efforts and influence of the Kaplan family. Many were also curious as to how this ceremony could be done because Brandon is so different from other kids. His special needs are significant. The service and ceremony were so …
Over forty Or Ami members joined together with others from across the San Fernando Valley to walk for Darfur, decrying the genocide that continues to plague that part of the Sudan. Teen Osher Shefer shared these reflections on the Walk for Darfur: “Come on, Get up!” Waking up early to drive 20 miles east wasn’t …