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summer camps

Prof. Aaron Kreuter, author of 'Lake Burntshore.' (Courtesy)
September 6, 2025, 12:51 pm
Sex, drugs and anti-Zionism fuel this new woke novel about a Jewish summer camp experience
In ‘Lake Burntshore,’ far-left Jewish-Canadian author Aaron Kreuter explores the increasing Israel dissonance felt by North American Jewish youth, even in the most utopian of settings
By Rich Tenorio
A search and rescue team looks for people along the Guadalupe River near a damaged building at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, on July 7, 2025, following severe flash flooding that occurred during the July 4 holiday weekend. (RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
July 8, 2025, 9:04 pm
US Jewish camps express grief, condolences after flooding disaster at Camp Mystic in Texas
Calling camp a ‘sacred space,’ Jews grieve in solidarity with those affected by the floods that have claimed the lives of nearly 100, including dozens of children and counselors
By Grace Gilson
On the last Friday of the season at Camp Ramah Nyack in 2019, anyone spending the next year in Israel is called up and invited to dance with the Israeli staffers in a Zionist celebration. (Courtesy of Ramah Nyack via JTA)
June 18, 2025, 1:56 am
Their counselors stuck in Israel, US Jewish camps are putting out ‘Help Wanted’ signs
War with Iran has put the freeze on all travel to and from the Jewish state, leaving hundreds of Israeli would-be staffers stranded at home and many more Americans unable to visit
By Grace Gilson
American Jewish camp directors at a Jewish Agency for Israel seminar. (Courtesy/ via JTA)
April 25, 2024, 5:06 pm
How US Jewish summer camps are preparing to welcome Israeli staff — many fresh from war
An estimated 1,500 emissaries will arrive at the idyllic summertime enclaves after over 6 months of wartime trauma, as plans are made for addressing tough topics with campers
By jacob gurvis
From left to right: Gili Adar, Yuval Halivni, Reem Betito and Laor Abromov. (Camp Tel Yehudah Facebook via JTA)
October 25, 2023, 12:39 am
‘They were family’: US Jewish summer camps mourn Israeli alumni killed in Hamas war
American campers and staff for whom connection to Israel has long been a paramount value are receiving devastating news of colleagues and friends murdered in the Oct. 7 massacre
By jacob gurvis
Sababa Beachaway director Danny Mishkin, standing in center, begins the morning by leading a moment of meditation. (Jacob Gurvis/ JTA)
August 30, 2023, 7:47 pm
At this Jewish surf camp in Virginia, the beach is a sanctuary
Sababa Beachaway focuses on surfing, sailing, scuba diving and ocean education through a Jewish lens with a curriculum that includes Judaic programming and prayer
By jacob gurvis
Participants in the 'One Team' girls camp that took place between August 1-10, 2023 at Kfar Silver near Ashkelon. (Hillel Lasri)
August 15, 2023, 9:32 pm
Jewish, Bedouin girls come together in one-of-a-kind summer camp
‘One Team’ brings together 50 girls with goal to promote respect and understanding through sports and friendship
By ToI Staff
Campers at Ramah Ukraine greet each other after returning to camp for the first session in the country during wartime. (Courtesy Midreshet Schechter via JTA)
August 12, 2023, 12:28 pm
Camp Ramah returns to Ukraine after a war-induced exile — now with a bomb shelter
After the Russian invasion forced it to move to Romania, the 31-year-old camp returns to its home in the Chernivtsi region where over 120 kids see a summer respite from the war
By Shira Li Bartov
Pickleball has exploded in popularity at Jewish summer camps. (Courtesy of Camp Avoda; design by Mollie Suss/ JTA)
August 7, 2023, 1:16 am
Pickleball is a hit at US Jewish camps and sports tournaments
Widely considered the fastest-growing sport in America, the tennis and ping-pong hybrid has attracted millions of new fanatics since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic
By jacob gurvis
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff pictured at Cedar Lake Camp in 1978. (Courtesy of NJY Camps via JTA)
July 29, 2023, 8:04 am
US Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff to visit his Jewish summer camp
Will attend visiting day at Cedar Lake in Pennsylvania, where he attended for four years as a teen, and speak to campers about Jewish life and antisemitism
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Ben Platt and Molly Gordon in 'Theater Camp.' (Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures via JTA)
July 18, 2023, 2:01 am
Jewish camp alums cheer ‘Theater Camp,’ Ben Platt movie shot at former Kutz Camp
Now playing, the mockumentary centers on a fictional upstate secular musical arts camp, but was filmed at the historic Reform summer camp and is peppered with Jewish references
By Shira Li Bartov
Campers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, Wingdale, New York. (Uriel Heilman/JTA)
February 23, 2023, 2:59 am
Did American Jews create historic summer camps – or was it vice versa?
In her new book ‘The Jews of Summer,’ Sandra Fox explores the changing values and dynamics of US Jewry based on an institution that for many is synonymous with coming of age
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Participants at 'Camp Hallelujah' on Israel's coast, August 12, 2022. (Courtesy/Camp Hallelujah)
August 20, 2022, 10:06 am
Ukraine refugees, Israel youth shaken by war find relief at ‘Hallelujah’ summer camp
On Israel’s coast, international gathering gives teenagers from abroad and Gaza border communities a sense of normalcy; ‘When you live with war all the time, you want peace’
By Jacob Rivkin
Halleli Busheri (left) and Tair Offir, two shlichim, emissaries on staff at Camp Ramah in the Poconos during summer 2022 (Courtesy)
August 19, 2022, 1:04 pm
Podcast: ‘Just like in the movies,’ say Israeli counselors of US sleepaway camp
Two shlichim — emissaries — working at Camp Ramah talk about their two months in this very Jewish American experience
By ToI Staff
Camp Ramah in the Berkshires seen in a promotional video posted by the camp in March 2022. (Screenshot/YouTube)
August 6, 2022, 1:38 am
Camp Ramah settles lawsuit alleging mishandled sexual assault complaint
Berkshires summer camp, former director and national commission accused of ‘deliberate indifference’ after one camper allegedly assaulted another in 2018
By Luke Tress and JTA
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