2023 Camp Guide

Photo / Camp Walden

MAKING MEMORIES

Former campers forge lifetime of lessons, friendships from summer camp

MEGHAN WALSH mwalsh@cjn.org | @themeghanwalsh

Friends and memories made at summer camp last a lifetime and the life lessons learned stick with campers long after they leave.

Solon Mayor Eddy Kraus, who attended day camp at Hawken School in Lyndhurst, and Becky Sebo, who attended overnight camp at Camp Wise in Claridon Township, recalled their camp experiences and the friendships they forged.

“It was just so much fun because you got there in the morning and it was outdoors almost all day, playing sports,” Kraus said.

At camp, he encountered a variety of sports, some he had played before and others he hadn’t tried, he said. He was apprehensive about archery and tennis, but gave them a chance and found he liked both activities.

“Be open,” he advised young people interested in attending summer camp. “If you don’t think you like something, or maybe you think you can’t do it, try it because I remember archery. I didn’t think I could do it, and I started doing it and it was great. I loved it. I remember picking up a tennis racket and not knowing how to hit a tennis (ball), and then you try to play and you realize, ‘Wow, this is a lot of fun.’”

Kraus said that if kids don’t try new things and step out of their comfort zones, they are going to miss out later in life.

“ at carries into adulthood, and I think kids gotta be kids and explore and try di erent things,” he said. “I remember we did canoeing. Stu like that, that you wouldn’t think you can do, but camp is a great time to encourage kids to explore, be outside, explore nature, learn di erent things. I think that camp experience is really, really great for kids.”

Teamwork is another quality Kraus learned at camp that has carried over into his adult life, he said. He learned how to work out con ict with peers and was taught to be gracious when winning or losing in a sport.

“Even if you were mad about something during a sport or you didn’t get your way, you’d have to deal with it and just gure it out and, if you got in a ght with somebody, you just (have to) talk it through and maybe argue for a little bit, but then you’d have to apologize or make up,” he said. “You have to be a good

winner and you have to be a good sport, and I think that lesson went through my whole life.”

Kraus made friends at summer camp, some of whom he is still connected with, he said.

“I remember seeing old photos and people I’m still friends with today,” Kraus said.

Sebo’s friendships have also ltered into her life today and one of her fellow sta members at Camp Wise is going to be a “bridesman” at her wedding, she said.

In 2010, she became friends with Shai Zarzewski, whose family is from Israel. Sebo took a gap year and traveled to Israel, where Zarzewksi’s family “adopted” her, she said.

She often spent time at their home on Friday evenings and celebrated Shabbat. e family is ying in from Israel for her upcoming wedding, she said.

“I’ve made incredible friends,” she said. “I have some sta friends who live abroad who are coming to my wedding.”

Sebo said she learned a lot about Judaism during her time at camp and the nature aspect has translated into a deep connection to creation.

“I think that translates Jewishly because we’re taught to have this respect for nature and everything that’s been created,” she said. “Going to Zion and climbing to the top of the canyon and seeing the whole thing from above, I described it as something holy. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and it felt like a religious experience.”

She said she has taken a lot of the Jewish traditions she did at camp with her into her adult life, such as Shabbat candle lighting, songs and prayers.

Some parents are nervous to send their kids to camp, she acknowledged, but it is a “tremendous way to grow in a safe environment” due to the independence that campers gain through that separation from their parents.

“I would say that camp has had an impact on my entire life,” she said. “It’s really shaped who I am and who I’ve become as an adult and taught me things about how I want to be as a decent human being, and I feel like maybe I’ll be a better mother because I’ve been a counselor and have worked with kids before. All of the best summers of my life have been at camp.”

Mayor Eddy Kraus, middle row, far left at Hawken School summer camp in Lyndhust in 1971. | Submitted photo

Becky Sebo at Camp Wise in Claridon Township in 2018. | Submitted photo

The Place to Be You

AT CAMP WISE “WHO AM I” BECOMES

Who I Am.

Your preteens and high schoolers are embarking on a journey. O er them the gift of Camp Wise. We support campers to become independent, make their own decisions, strengthen friendships, and grow and change in endless positive ways.

It’s Never Too Late to Begin Your Camp Wise Journey

Plan Your Summer: Session One Doesn’t Interfere with Band and Sports Camps

Israel Leadership Summer

JUNE 16 – JULY 20

Rising 11th-graders spend 29 days in Israel on an immersive trip of a lifetime. They will learn Jewish history rsthand as they hike, climb, surf the sea and camp in the Negev.

• 24/7 security and medical access

• Highly experienced guide and educator

• Curated itinerary tailored for Camp Wise

• Israeli teen peers join our journey

There’s Nothing Like Your First Summer

Whether you’re in second grade, middle school or beyond, that rst summer at Camp Wise is magical. Gain independence, make lifelong friends, experience something new. The fun never ends.

• Horseback riding, archery and a wide variety of sports

• Arts, theatre, dance, guitar and music production

• Lake, water sports, kayaking and pool

• New multi-level high ropes and adventure course

Camp Wise is a proud recipient of the Yedid Nefesh Grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp.

AT CAMP WISE WE PRIORITIZE CAMPER AND STAFF CARE

• Camper care specialists in each village.

• A Zen Den where campers go to center themselves, regulate emotions and breathe.

• Busy Boxes with activities for campers during downtime.

• Calming Kits for sta .

• Specialized sta training on mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health.

• Licensed social workers and clergy on sta .

To learn more or for tour, contact our ECC Director Erika Eskenazi at 216-464-1752 or Eeskenazi@fairmounttemple.org.

Judaic-based experience allure of Jewish camps

STEVE MARK

Not long ago, many summer camps posted deadlines for registration. Procrastinators were still awarded with a spot for their son or daughter, up until the last day to register.

ose days are long gone, at least for some Jewish camps.

“We don’t have a hard deadline, but (and this is a signi cant but) we can only guarantee for you today,” said Abbey Phillips, director of the Mandel Jewish Community Center’s day camps and youth services.

e refrain is universal among all the Jewish summer camps in the Cleveland area. Most camps reach their enrollment caps quickly because the allure of a Judaic-based experience has been so popular.

“Our registration starts in May and lls up very quickly,” said Rabbi Simcha Dessler of Hebrew Academy of Cleveland in Cleveland Heights, which operates its S.T.E.P. (Summer Torah Enrichment Program) program.

Rabbi Dan Utley, who was named director of the Mandel JCC’s overnight camp, Camp Wise in Claridon Township last May summed up the attraction to Jewish camps.

“It is a rming to who we are as Jewish individuals in our con dence, in our own beliefs and our own ideals,” he said. “It helps us understand what it is to be in a community based on our values. And for many people in the country who don’t live in a large Jewish community, it is the only space where they can feel like they can truly be themselves without anyone judging them for their religious or ethnic or cultural identity.”

Prior to moving back to Cleveland, Utley was associate rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas. He also has had experience at Union for Reform Judaism camps across the country.

“I grew up as a Jewish overnight camper,” Utley said, “and it instilled a love of education

and inspiring youth and teens. at’s what I wanted to do as a rabbi.”

Camp Wise is the third-oldest overnight Jewish camp in the country, hosting youth for 116 summers.

“We call it the ‘home of happiness,’” Utley said. “We don’t try to force our campers into a certain box. We try to meet them where they’re at and help them excel on their own terms in the camp environment. For our returning campers, each year they have new challenges and responsibilities. Our oldest team members for 10th, 11th and 12th grades are focused more on leadership development.”

Mushkie Galperin was once a camper in the oldest bunk at Solon Chabad’s Camp Gan Izzy. She later became a counselor there and for the last 10 years has been the camp’s director. Each summer attracts about 200 campers.

“We do value having strong Jewish pride,” Galperin said.

Hebrew Academy of Cleveland has operated the S.T.E.P. camp for more than 40 years. Last summer, the camp attracted 500 children. Dessler has witnessed a dramatic growth in enrollment in recent years, he said.

“Judaism’s core values are interwoven into the fabric of the camp experience,” Dessler said of the six-week program. “Campers and their parents are delighted with the carefully designed blend of Torah study, ruach, sportsmanship, programs, recreation and trips, all of which foster a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, growth, passion, excitement and fun.”

e Mandel JCC day camp typically enrolls 550 campers for seven-week sessions each summer.

“We really like to have a conversation with the parents about what they’re hoping to get out of their summer experience,” said Phillips, who attends e Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike and has worked in Jewish day camps for 19 summers.

“We have a component to a Jewish education area, which is an easy way for the campers to get involved in Judaism,” Phillips said.“We always say that camp can help better people and create a space where they are because they want to make a di erence. ey want to build relationships. So, you’re not just dropping o your child at a program where nobody knows who they are. is is truly a community and it is a very personal experience.”

Utley said, “We have campers who have met their now-signi cant other at camps.

“More importantly, this is our next generation of Jewish leadership,” he said.

Steve Mark is a freelance journalist.

Dessler

Utley

Phillips

Camp Wise reunion keeps camp connections through the years

MEGHAN WALSH mwalsh@cjn.org | @themeghanwalsh

Friendships forged at sleepaway camps are one of the factors that keep campers and counselors eager to return each summer. Camp Wise in Claridon Township helps its campers and sta stay in touch by hosting reunions and planning committees throughout the year, including its annual reunion last November. e 2022 reunion brought the community together at WhirlyBall in Bedford Heights.

Rabbi Dan Utley, director of Camp Wise, and Lilah Bass, a 10-year-old returning camper, talked about how camp friendships extend long beyond the summer months.

“It’s all part of a larger goal of engaging our campers and sta , year-round in the community that they love,” Utley said of the reason behind reunions. “Anyone’s welcome. It’s targeted at returning campers to help connect them with their cabin mates and see their sta members from the summer.”

Campers at overnight camps share the unique connection of being away from home and being surrounded by friends and counselors who become similar to older siblings or mentors in many di erent ways, he said.

Because campers are living more independently, they are able to learn, grow, become their best selves and become individuals. Finding a summer camp that will support this growth is important, Utley added.

In February, Camp Wise will gather sta for a weekend retreat at the camp that is focused on the role of Israel in the lives of the teens who go to camp, he said. It also focuses on forming the teens to be leaders within the camp community.

“Over Presidents Day weekend, we host an overnight for fth through eighth graders and that is divided in half pretty much by returning campers or prospective campers or new campers coming this summer,” he said.

While younger campers look forward to “highlight activities,” such as horseback riding or ropes courses, older campers more so look forward to the social aspect of camp, Utley pointed out.

“Returning campers and older campers and teens come back because of their friends and their sta members,” he said.

Most sta members were once campers, themselves, he noted.

“ ey want to give back to camp and create the experiences for campers that they had when they were growing up at camp,” Utley said. “Many of them stay in touch with their sta members over the years and those relationships continue over their lives and so they want to have that impact on young people, as well.”

is summer will be Lilah’s fth summer as a Camp Wise camper, she said. Despite the pandemic, the excitement of camp has had her coming back since 2019.

“ is will be my fth year, including COVID,” Lilah said. Her favorite camp activity is going to the art shack.

“I like going down there,” she said. “I like to make bracelets and tie dye.”

Her favorite camp memory is sitting with her counselor and waving glow sticks around on CW (Camp Wise) Night, she said.

Lilah said she attended the reunion in November at WhirlyBall because she likes to keep in touch with the people she has met at

camp.

“It’s really fun to see people in the summer who I have met in previous years, or not, and then get to call them and text them, not just in the summertime, like in the wintertime too,” she said.

Lilah’s best friend at camp is named Ivy and Lilah’s fondest memory with her is “ ghting” over who got top or bottom bunk, she said.

is coming summer, she is looking forward to moving to a new village at camp, she said.

“I’m really excited to go into a new village so I can experience everything and camp is a really fun place to go over the summer and have a lot of fun and do stu that you wouldn’t do on a normal day basis,” Lilah said.

Siblings Nate Bass, left, and Lilah Bass, and their cousin, Drew Mintz, at Camp Wise in Clairdon Township. | Submitted Photo Utley

Classes for all ages and abilities! or

23700 Mercantile Road,

Beachwood

Rear of National Biological Building

(216) 896-0295

Website: jsgymnastics.com

Email: jsgymnastics@jsgymnastics.com

Summer Camps @ Jump Start! Gymnastics

June 12 to August 11, 2023

JSG offers gymnastic camps for all ages, boys and girls, and all levels of gymnastics experience from recreational to competitive gymnastics. Gymnastic camp at Jump Start is a great way to explore and experience gymnastics for the first time, learn new skills, or build a solid competitive base for the next season. We coach all levels of new, experienced, and competitive gymnastics. Our philosophy at JSG is that gymnastics is for everyone, a great basis for physical fitness, and benefits coordination for every sport and children's health.

EARLY REGISTRATION OPEN! starts Jan 21, 2023

2022 camp fee prices are in effect until Mar 17, 2023 2023 camp prices start Mar 18, 2023

Camp Special!

Girls: Enroll in 4 full weeks or 20 daily camps = FREE Leotard*

Boys: Enroll in 4 full weeks or 20 daily camps = FREE GYM BAG*

*All camps must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. Please provide the size.

Additional Details

Early Registration - Full-day Camp is $275 per week or $60 per day. After 3/17/23: $300 per week or $65 per day

Early Registration - Half-day Twister Camp is $180 per week or $40 per day. After 3/17/23: $200 per week or $45 per day

Aftercare is offered daily from 3 pm-5 pm. Daily aftercare is $10 per day. We will be closed on June 19, 2023, & the week of July 3-7, 2023. Weekly enrollment, daily enrollment, & aftercare is available through the Parent Portal.

Camp scholarships can provide opportunity when needed

STEVE MARK

Summer camps can get a little pricey. ere’s some help available if you need it.

“Our Cleveland community feels strongly that Jewish camp is a cultivator of Jewish values, traditions and culture,” said Rob Berick, chief marketing o cer at the Jewish

Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood. “Camp creates an opportunity for campers to strengthen their own identity and connect with the larger Jewish community. Providing camp grants and scholarships to local families is one way to express the importance for Jewish camp.”

Jewish Camp Incentive Grants and Scholarships

The Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program

Considering Jewish overnight camp for the first time? Your child may be eligible for an incentive grant of up to $1,000 this summer. With over 192 traditional and specialty programs to choose from, there is a perfect camp out there for every child.

Use The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Find a Camp tool at jewishcamp.org to begin your search for the perfect summer experience and then visit each camp’s website for more detailed information.

The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland works with donors to provide incentive grants and financial assistance that enable Jewish children living in Cleveland the ability to attend Jewish overnight camps. The JECC offers incentive grants to:

First time campers

• Mini-session – up to $700

Attending camp for 12 to 18 days

Must be entering grades two to-12 (after camp)

Attending any approved Jewish overnight camp

• Regular session – up to $1,000

Attending camp for 19-plus days

Must be entering grades two to 12 (after camp)

Attending any approved Jewish overnight camp

Second time campers going to denominational camps only

• Up to $750

Attending camp for 19-plus days

Must be entering grades two to 12 (after camp)

Attending any approved denominational Jewish overnight camp

Camp grants for children with special needs

Camp scholarships for teen leaders

Camp grants for Russian-Speaking Jewish

In addition, through the Jewish Family Services Association, there is financial assistance for families meeting the criteria established by JFSA and the donor. For more information, email campgrants@jecc.org orcall 216-371-0446.

SOURCE: Jewish Education Center of Cleveland

SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

session.

One scholarship program is e Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program, which has extensions nationwide and is funded through the Michael and Anita Siegal Family Foundation in Cleveland. e Siegal program provides assistance primarily for youth going to overnight camps.

“ e One Happy Camper incentive grants are an exciting way to expose rst-year campers to the wonders of Jewish overnight camp,” Marilyn Bloch Ja e, executive director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland in Cleveland Heights said.

One Happy Camper scholarships work like this:

For rst-time campers attending a Jewish overnight camp, scholarships for up to $1,000 are available for those in grades two to 12 attending regular sessions of 19 days or more. e Jewish camps have to be approved.

Second-time campers going to denominational camps can receive up to $750 in scholarship assistance.

e Jewish Education Center also operates grants for Russian-speaking Jewish campers, with awards up to $2,000 per camper.

e JEC also o ers grants for children with special needs, and camp scholarships for teen leaders. e deadline for the teen leaders and Russian-speaking grants is March 15.

“ e selection process is dependent upon the criteria of each grant,” Berick said..

“Other incentive grants are ongoing, with preference of application prior to camp

With regard to Russian-speaking Jewish campers, scholarships are also available through funding by the Genesis Philanthropy Group. e scholarship is available to campers who speak Russian, or if that camper has parents or grand-parents who speak Russian. is scholarship is available to those attending either overnight or day camps.

e Jewish Education Center also disperses funds for the David and Inez Myers Foundation Camp Leadership Scholarship, which is available to students entering or in high school who attend a Jewish overnight camp that o ers leadership training. Preference is given to incoming ninth or 10th graders.

e Jewish Education Center also supports the Gurland Memorial Fund Camp Scholarship for families of children with special needs. is scholarship is available to children with special needs to attend a variety of day and overnight camps.

So, there is assistance for all sizes.

“As the variety of camps continues to expand,” Ja e said, “families are able to nd the perfect t for their child’s individual interests.”

SCHOLARSHIPS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 90 This scholarship program has been made possible with the generous support of Genesis Philanthropy Group and the following: OF CLEVELAND Jewish Federation

Have an unforgettable summer and make new friends while learning about Jewish values and traditions. This new scholarship program is a unique opportunity for Russian-speaking Jewish children living in Greater Cleveland with at least one Russian-speaking parent or grandparent. APPLY NOW FOR A SCHOLARSHIP UP TO $2,000 PER CAMPER At Jewish overnight camp, kids discover who they are and who they want to become – while having the time of their lives!

“Camp creates an opportunity for campers to strengthen their own identity and connect with the larger Jewish community. Providing camp grants and scholarships to local families is one way to express the importance for Jewish camp.”

Rob Berick

Steve Mark is a freelance journalist.

NO HORSING AROUND

Campers let it ride as they work on their social, coping skills on horseback

MEGHAN WALSH mwalsh@cjn.org | @themeghanwalsh

Horseback riding summer camps o er campers opportunities to improve their riding skills, build bonds with friends and animals, develop greater senses of responsibility and discipline, and cope with challenges.

Sue Ford, lesson and camp manager at Chagrin Valley Farms, and Elizabeth Krouse, manager of communications at Fieldstone Farm erapeutic Riding Center, both in Bainbridge Township, discussed the inner workings of horseback riding camps and the bene ts o ered r to campers.

“ e camp day at CVF includes a number of di erent interactions with horses,” Ford said. “Each one of them are designed to promote and encourage the special bond that horses and children develop quite easily.”

Campers begin their days by grooming their horses, she said, which allows them to have a hands-on, personal experience.

“Taking care of the horses – making sure they are clean and cared for – teaches compassion and responsibility,” Ford said. “ e campers begin to understand that the horses count on them for their daily care and

wellbeing. Just by noticing that a horse needs to be brushed because it has dirt on it from being in the pasture, the camper has begun to understand that they have a responsibility and, if they don’t follow through, the horse gets the short end of the stick.”

Campers are taught the correct way to tack a horse, she said, adding that tacking is the act of preparing a horse with a saddle and bridle. Each horse requires a di erent tack.

“ is exercise focuses on teaching safety and individuality,” she explained. “In order to be ridden safely, the horse must have tack that ts correctly and is meant for that particular horse. is exercise also promotes organization. e tack should always be cleaned and put back where it belongs so it is where it needs to be the next time the horse is tacked.”

Each day, campers receive riding lessons, Ford said.

“ ese lessons teach so much more than riding,” she noted. “From a young age, the campers are taught how to take instruction by listening to the trainer, how to make decisions, how to both give and take direction, and how to focus on the job at hand.”

HORSE | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 92

e campers learn that their moods and physical cues matter, as horses respond to these qualities of humans more than they respond to verbal direction, she said.

“ is teaches the rider that their movement matters, that their mood can impact the horse and that the horse has feelings and is looking to them for direction and support,” Ford explained. “ e rider, in essence, becomes the leader and requires the con dence to do so.”

After lessons, riders are required to care for the horses by returning them to their stalls for food, drink and rest, she said.

“ ey may need to bathe them, feed or water them or simply love on them for the lesson they just had,” Ford pointed out. “ is is another way we are teaching respect and compassion.”

Fieldstone Farm erapeutic Riding Center o ers animal therapy to people who face disabilities and challenges, Krouse said.

“Our therapy horses help people of all ages – with a variety of emotional, physical and cognitive challenges – reach goals they never thought possible,” she said.

Fifty percent of students at Fieldstone are struggling with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, violence and the emotional side e ects of cancer, she explained.

Sta there are also versed in working with people who face cognitive and physical challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders and sight impairment, she said.

“Anybody who needs a therapeutic intervention, our horses can help them with that,” she said.

Each day at camp, campers are assigned a horse to groom, tack and ride, she said. ey also participate in activities with a weekly theme.

“Riders will get a little dirty, play inside and out, and create lasting memories,” she said.

erapy horses promote con dence, relaxation, strength and independence among riders, Krouse pointed out.

“For everyone who touches our horses, no matter their age or ability, they discover a con dence-building experience to help them to heal and grow,” she said. “Time with our horses can also help people nd the courage to overcome anxiety or deep sadness that has been holding them back.”

By going to camp, students not only learn riding skills, but social and coping skills, as well, she said.

“For a teen who has just lost a loved one or has been bullied at school, a horse can give them a moment of comfort as it gently wraps its head around them,” she explained. “And, for a survivor of trauma who is haunted by the past, working with a horse can teach them to be ‘in the moment’ as they regulate their heartbeat with that of a horse.”

Students can also strengthen their knowledge through horseback riding because exploring an educational concept on horseback can bring it to life and build understanding, she noted.

“Horses change us,” Krouse stated. “ ey teach us about trust, responsibility and cooperation. ey encourage us to become stronger and more con dent. eir intuitive nature gives us comfort and helps us heal and relax, and they bring smiles to everyone they meet.”

Ania Jacobs rides Dillon, guided by volunteer Beth Scalabrino, at Fieldstone Farm in Bainbridge Township. | Photos/ Frank Gwirtz

PARK SYNAGOGUE DAY CAMP

Former camp counselor Goldstein looks forward to second year as director

STEVE MARK

Shelby Goldstein likes to brag that she has been a counselor at Park Synagogue Day Camp “for over half my life.” at Shelby is only 23 years old does not diminish the distinction. She has been a counselor at the camp since 2013. Now, she’s the boss.

Goldstein, who graduated from e Ohio State University in Columbus in 2021 with a degree in early childhood education and then received her master’s degree from Youngstown State University in curriculum and instruction, was named director of the day camp in May 2022.

“I knew this would be a lot of work, but I’m going to do whatever needs to be done to help us succeed,” Goldstein said. “It helps that I’ve been part of the program and I know the facilities. We just hired my assistant director. We’ve been working for months, communicating with parents and planning for the summer, so we’ve been able to balance our schedules to make sure the summer runs smoothly.”

Goldstein touts a couple of past and current experiences that gives her a boost in the director position. First is her work as a third-grade teacher at Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike.

“I’m one of those lucky people who always knew what they wanted to do,” Goldstein said. “It was obvious that when it came time to start applying for positions at schools, I was ready to be in the classroom.”

e other item: Cheerleading.

Goldstein was a cheerleader at Solon High School and still coaches “cheer,” as she calls it, for Orange City School District. She was also a competitive cheerleader in all-star events.

“I know everyone associates sports with relation to a ball,” Goldstein said.

“For me, it’s absolutely what I love, and in this career, especially with camps, it helps me convey enthusiasm.

“Even in school, my cheers help kids learn to spell words, so this has been an important part of my life and a great tool,” she said.

Goldstein is quite clear that enthusiasm is a must for camp directors and teachers.

“One of the things I talked about with counselors at orientation is that the beginning of the day sets the tone for how the whole summer will go,” Shelby said.

“We’ll do a morning circle and start with whole group activity. When campers get out of their parents’ cars and they see the counselors jumping up and down, excited to see them, it really helps get the day started.

“A lot of parents tell us that what they love about our day camp is that the kids arrive and you can feel the excitement. It’s a huge piece of what we do and how families feel about our camp,”

Last year Park Synagogue Day Camp had about 115 campers on the roster, with 40 sta ers.

Goldstein, who lives in Beachwood and attends e TempleTifereth Israel in Beachwood, makes it an essential responsibility to know all the campers, in the same manner in which she is familiar with her third-grade students during the regular school year.

“What de nes me as a coach, as a teacher and as a director are the relationships I’ve been able to build,” Goldstein said.

“If kids are playing a game and I have some free time, I’m going to play with them, and watch and support them. It’s really important to get to know them.” Steve Mark is a freelance journalist.

Park Synagogue Day Camp director Shelby Goldstein, center, is surrounded by campers. | Submitted photo

CJN goes one-on-one with Daniel Tamir | Director of NCSY Jumpshot

Daniel Tamir began his tenure as the assistant coach of the Yeshiva University men’s basketball team in August of 2016. He also serves as the assistant coach of the Frisch boys varsity basketball team and is the director of the Step It Up Basketball high school program.

Prior to coaching at Yeshiva, Tamir played seven years of professional basketball at the Division I level in Israel and Hungary. Tamir played in the junior teams of the Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club during the 2012 to 2013 season, playing alongside

numerous former NBA players. He also represented Israel in the U16 and U18 national teams as the starting center from 2009 to 2012.

A native of Jerusalem, the 6-foot-10 Tamir lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son. is summer he will lead NCSY Jumpshot, a program for high school boys looking for a basketball experience in Israel. e CJN goes 1 on 1 with Tamir. e interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

CJN: How did your story begin?

Kick off your child’s summer adventure! Our week-long adventure camps for ages 5-12 feature activities on our ninja warrior-style obstacle courses, climbing walls, and aerial ropes course to quench their thirst for adventure and need for active in-person play!

JUNE 5-AUG 25

Tamir: Basketball is in my DNA. My father played for Maccabi Jerusalem back in the 1970s and is 6-foot-6. My brother, Amit Tamir, who is 6-foot-11, followed in my father’s footsteps and played professionally for 20 years. My family has deep roots in Israel, and Jerusalem has a special place in my heart.

C: When did you know you wanted to play basketball professionally?

In the rst grade when we had to come into school dressed up as the profession we aspired to. I came in wearing an NBA basketball jersey and with a basketball in my hand. As a kid, every time I played I imagined myself playing against Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the stars of that era.

C:What were some challenges you overcame as a young athlete?

I remember playing ball with kids that were older than me. I was heavy at the time and couldn’t move around much. People made fun of my weight. Around eighth grade I realized that I needed to take control and prove that I could do what I wanted to do most. at summer, I was on the court for hours at a time. By the end of that summer, I was 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3. With the work that I had put in combined with my growth and strength, things started to change. I realized how important it was to focus less on what other people say and more on what you know you are capable of.

C: When did you come to the United States?

At 25, I was invited to play for Yeshiva University. However, due to eligibility rules I was not able to play for the team. Coach Elliot Steinmetz o ered me a coaching position instead. I didn’t hesitate. I took two suitcases with me and left everything that was familiar to me. I ended up coaching at Yeshiva for four seasons, making incredible friends, learning about my heritage and slowly becoming observant and tapping into the depths of what a life of Torah means.

Grow

C: How did becoming observant impact you?

T: As a secular Israeli, I was exposed to stereotypes about religious Jews and about religiosity in general. ings like: religious Jews don’t go to the army; religious Jews don’t pay taxes; religious Jews don’t work. But from the moment I came to the United States and began my time at Yeshiva University, I was exposed to a community of religiously observant people who were kind, welcoming, successful and productive. ey did not match any of those stereotypes. I respected them and felt drawn to their lifestyle and values.

C: How did your teshuva and your observance connect with basketball for you?

T: e week after my rst Shabbat, which took place in the Five Towns in New York, I sat down with Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, who talked to me about how it’s important to use basketball and other physical elements to lift ourselves up. Not long after that, I was invited to go on a trip to Ukraine. On that trip the Rebbe encouraged me to add spirituality to basketball and use the ball as a means of incorporating spirituality into the game. When I came back from that trip to the Ukraine, Yeshiva was in the midst of a losing streak. I approached one of the guys and asked him if he’d be open to learning with me for a few minutes before the game. He was into it. e game went well. We decided to learn before each game. We learned Mesilat Yesharim, Parashat Hashavua and middot. We started winning games consistently. We were focused on improving ourselves on and o the courts. More and more guys started learning together before each competition. After eight victories, we went to an away game in Farmingdale. We were running late and we felt that we didn’t have the time to learn. We lost in double overtime. After that, we committed to going back to learning and working on ourselves before each game. And a number of the guys continue that tradition until today.

C: What is NCSY Jumpshot?

T: Basketball is a vessel that can be used to show teens that they can push themselves past what they thought may have been possible both physically and spiritually. Basketball can be used to inspire, teach life lessons and help teenage athletes to become the best versions of themselves. We have worked hard to incorporate all of these concepts into one summer program that is transformative, challenging, fun and life-changing.

C: What does the programming look like?

T: We train for roughly ve hours a day. Each coach pays attention to the details of what each player needs in order to elevate his game. Torah and chessed are an important part of our programming. Our upper sta are bnei torah and role models who have played yeshiva league basketball and are fantastic with the kids. We go on trips all over Israel. One of the principles that we share with our participants is the 1% rule. If we get better, stronger, kinder by 1% every single day, then by the end of the week we are 7% stronger, by the end of the month, 30% kinder and so on and so forth.

C: What would you say to a teen who’s considering coming on Jumpshot 2023?

T: Jumpshot 2023 will be the best summer of your life. We are looking forward to an absolutely incredible summer where boys from all over come together with their common drive to play basketball at a high level, experience Israel like never before and reach goals that they might never have imagined.

Summer

CAMP IS SO COOL!

(SO IS GETTING A GRANT OF UP TO $1,000!)

Choose a Jewish overnight summer camp and receive up to $1,000 for a first-time experience.

Camp Wise • Emma Kaufmann Camp • Camp Stone

NCSY US-Based Summer Programs • Ramah Camps URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) and many more!

Restrictions may apply. For more information visit www.onehappycamper.org, email onehappycamper@jecc.org or call 216-371-0446.

GRADES K-8

Anis eld Day Camp is all your favorite specialty camps rolled into one. In addition to swimming, crafts and sports, campers customize their day with a variety of majors including:

• Athletics

• Creative Arts

• Horseback Riding

• Gymnastics

• The Great Outdoors

• STEAM

• Chop’d Chef

• Music Video Production

• JDC Goes to Camp Wise

Learn to become leaders with skill-building and community-building trips. Participate in a wide variety of summer favorites including lake, swim and archery.

For more information

• Email tamird@ncsy.org

• Follow at @ncsyjumpshot on Instagram.

The Michael & Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program

EVERY CAMPER DESERVES TO SHINE

ARTS CAMP

Performing Arts Camp is for campers of all experience levels. Youth in grades 2-8 participate in theater classes, electives, art and swimming. They dive deeply into specials such as improv and costume or set design, master classes and workshops, as well as dance and a capella electives. Each four-week session presents an end-of-session performance.

NEW! Campers in grades 6-8 choose elements of their daily schedule, rehearse for an additional performance, enjoy extra master classes and focus on ensemble-building, artistic creativity and leadership skills.

Camp Ratner

Beber Camp

Adventure Summer Camp at Adrenaline

J-Day Camps MANDELJCCOFCLEVELAND

Ohio’s Premier Summer Camp

Traditional Resident Summer Camp (ages 6–16)

• Only 90 miles south of Cleveland – Carrollton OH.

• For boys and girls - separate activities with planned coed events.

• 2,- 4-, 6- or 8-week sessions

• Horseback riding, sailing, swimming, arts, drama, archery, riflery,nature, sports, fishing & so much more!

• Campers choose own activities within broad framework.

• American Camp Association Accredited Camp since 1959.

• 1:4 staff/camper ratio allows excellent supervision and instruction.

Young Adventurers

Summer Camp (ages 6–10)

• Special one week intro sessions includes all camp activities

• Designed to give first time younger campers an outstanding ‘first adventure’

• 1:3 staff/camper ratio allows for extra attention with living habits, meals, bedtime and social skills.

DON’T MISS OUT! Camp is filling now!

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR at www.falconcamp.com

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FILM & MEDIA ARTS

ODYSSEY PROGRAM

FILMMAKING SUMMER CAMPS FOR TEENS

CREATE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL FILMS AND EXPLORE ACTING, DIRECTING, EDITING, AND MORE WITH THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY AT CSU’S SCHOOL OF FILM & MEDIA ARTS!

• Four sessions for ages 13–18

• 1 week and 3-week camps

MAKE FRIENDS AND GAIN SKILLS FOR LIFE!

Odyssey Program Experiential Three Week Summer Camp June 11 – 30, 2023

Odyssey Intensive: Acting and Directing July 9 – 16, 2023

Odyssey Intensive: Screenwriting July 16 – 23, 2023

Odyssey Intensive: Postproduction July 23 – 30, 2023

RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CAMP OPTIONS CHOOSE TO COMMUTE OR STAY IN CSU DORMS!

For more information or to register, please contact the program coordinator by phone 216.687.5087, email odyssey@csuohio.edu, or visit csufilmodyssey.com.

Summer camp at Cleveland Museum of Natural History Camp Curiosity at Great Lakes Science Center |

Photo / Ken Blaze

Photos submitted by camps

Ready, Set, Sum mer!

Come experience a summer of fun, adventure and learning for kids 24 months- Grade 12. Registration is now open and we are excited to nnounce 17 new camps for 2023! We hope to see you this Summer at Laurel!

For more information and to register, visit LaurelSchool.org/Summer or call 216 . 455. 3025

Rabbi Wallick hired as Camp Young Judaea Midwest director

Rabbi Hannah Wallick was hired as the 21st camp director for Camp Young Judaea Midwest, according to a news release. Wallick will work with the yearround professional team and the board of directors during the transition.

Since 2013, Wallick has served as vice president of leadership and global at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. She is the spiritual leader of Moses Monte ore Congregation in Appleton, Wis.

“ rough a national search that included dozens of quali ed candidates, the search committee was unanimous in its support of Hannah becoming CYJ Midwest’s next director,” Cheryl Hanson, director search chair of Camp Young Judaea Midwest, said in the release. “Hannah’s unique understanding of both large and small Jewish communities in the Midwest, as well as her demonstrated passion for working with kids, parents and sta made her a

natural choice to lead CYJ Midwest into the future.”

Wallick spent time at summer camp as a camper, on sta and in leadership. She has her bachelor’s degree in Jewish studies from the University of Pennsylvania and her ordination from the Jewish eological Seminary, according to the release.

“CYJ Midwest has been built on the shoulders of the leaders whose vision, hard work and dedication to our mission have impacted the lives of thousands of campers and sta over the past decades,” Barbara Baumann, board president of Camp young Judaea, said in the release. “I am thrilled to welcome Hannah as our next director of CYJ Midwest and look forward to working together with her as our camp continues to bring extraordinary experiences to hundreds of young people each summer.”

Adina Frydman, CEO of Young Judaea Global, said in the release, “Having grown up in a Zionist youth movement and spent much of her career to date working in the Jewish engagement space, Hannah Wallick is the right person to become the next Director of Camp Young Judaea Midwest.”

Hawken Day Camp

Wallick

When drama ends, theater camp experiences last a lifetime

MEGHAN WALSH mwalsh@cjn.org | @themeghanwalsh

Performing arts summer camps can help children discover their creative sides, improve their skills and unearth new passions. ese programs can help teach children the value of working with others, stepping out of their comfort zones and using their minds to cultivate exciting adventures.

Wendy Scott-Koeth, coordinator of Stagecrafters Youth eatre in Orange, discussed theater summer camps and the bene ts they o er campers.

“ e bene ts will last a lifetime,” ScottKoeth said of the impact that performing arts summer camps have on campers.

rough performing arts summer camps, campers gain greater self-con dence by taking emotional and creative risks in rehearsals and performances, thus learning to trust their abilities, she explained.

Performing arts contribute to children’s literacy skills.

“Students increase reading and writing skills at their own pace by immersing themselves in the story, reading and re-reading their scripts, memorizing their lines and taking notes at rehearsal,” she said.

Imagination gets a boost because theater is most dynamic when the imaginations of participants are fully engaged, she pointed out.

“Students make countless interpretive choices in design and performance to create a detailed, ctional world for their audiences,” Scott-Koeth said.

Young performers learn empathy as they explore the lives of others through character work and story creation, she said.

“First-hand perspectives of new circumstances challenge prejudices and aid in the development of well-rounded students and citizens,” she explained.

e performing arts help to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, she pointed out.

“ e amount of work required to successfully put on a show makes all participants valuable troubleshooters,” Scott-Koeth noted. “Whether inventing mnemonics to remember lines, adjusting staging to show o everyone’s faces or mastering a tricky scene change, students have countless opportunities to creatively tackle challenges.”

Self-discipline is taught through prompt attendance at rehearsals and learning lines, music and choreography on schedule, she said. rough these practices, students acquire

valuable self-discipline techniques and learn to become reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble.

Participation in theatrical summer camps increases campers’ community awareness, she said.

“A theatrical production provides ample opportunities to connect with our families and neighbors,” she explained. “Students can engage parents, community centers and local vendors to help create sets, props, costumes and publicity.”

By attending a performing arts camp, a child can improve their public speaking skills, she noted.

“Whether performing for their peers during rehearsal or for their school and local community during a performance, students gain

expertise and con dence speaking in front of a group,” she said.

Because theater requires extensive input from all participants, it instills in campers the value of teamwork, she mentioned. Students build ensembles by working together to rehearse, construct, promote and perform their shows. Every role, whether on stage or behind the scenes, is vital for the show’s success.

“ e impact of theater is priceless,” Scott-Koeth stated. “Stagecrafters’ philosophy is ‘process over product.’ ere are many life lessons learned in a nurturing, educational environment. As a result, students feel invested and willing to take risks in a ‘safe place.’”

To learn more, visit orangerec.com.

COMING TO THE MALTZ MUSEUM SUMMER 2023 NOW BOOKING FOR CAMPS, SCHOOLS, AND GROUPS!

Scott-Koeth

“A theatrical production provides ample opportunities to connect with our families and neighbors. Students can engage parents, community centers and local vendors to help create sets, props, costumes and publicity.”

Wendy Scott-Koeth

Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit is created by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Heirs of Rube Goldberg.