Schechter Promo Video 2011

Check it out....

Imagine all the people...

“Imagine all the people living for today.”  Once upon a time a young, Jewish girl was driving to school listening to Imagine, by John Lennon. “Am I living for today,” she thought. Living in Israel used to seem like a fantasy for this girl. Kabbalat Shabbat at the western wall, seeing my savta every Shabbat, and eating falafel at least once a day, life could not have been better in the dream world of Liat Perlin. Finding deeper religious roots, spending time with family that I very rarely get to see, and learning about Israeli culture have been dreams of mine ever since I was a little girl, and what better way to pursue these dreams than to study in Israel. I am going to live for today. 

Although I attend shul every Shabbat morning, studying in Israel will more deeply enhance my religious roots.  As I tutor bar and bat mitzvah students every Sunday I think about the importance of a B’nei mitzvah. The first question that I ask my students is, “why are you going through all this hard work?” Most of the answers are “because my parents are making me” or “so that I can have a party,” but one of my students told me, “Because I want to believe in G-d.” This answer brought even more questions to my head, “why doesn’t she believe in G-d,” “Am I helping her find her Jewish roots,” “Have I learned enough about my Jewish roots.” At this exact moment I decided I would go to Israel and learn about Judaism in order to strengthen my connection to the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Israel is a whole country full of milk, honey, and Zionists. One of my goals while in Israel is to learn about Israeli culture and how a Jewish state came to be.  I want to learn about all the dreamers who put their ambitions into action, creating the Jewish homeland. Zionists such as Theodor Hertzl, Chaim Wiezmann, and David Ben-Gurion are few of the many people that I look up to and wish to learn about while living in Jerusalem. In addition to learning about the history of Israel, I also plan to live as an Israeli, learning about the culture. I can’t wait to eat falafel, drink shoko, and munch on some pesegsman. Israel is my homeland. 

“I hope someday you will join us.” I am one of 8 Jewish kids in my grade. Although, I make only good out of the situation, sometimes I feel isolated. Having to explain why I missed the party because of Shabbat is getting a little old. I can’t wait till I get to go to Israel and meet other Jewish teens who also celebrate Shabbat, and live through the same Jewish hardships that I go through every single day.  I know that while in Israel I will make best friends’ friends that I will remember and cherish for my whole life. I am going to be open and non-judgmental to meeting and getting to know everyone on the program. 

I am not completely sure what I will learn about myself and my people while in Israel but I do know that I am going to learn about how many different types of people can live together in harmony. I know that in Jerusalem Arabs, Christians, and Jews live together. Jerusalem is the center for the three monotheistic religions. Bursting with religious tension, Jerusalem must be the golden example displaying how very different people are able to live in peace. I have many goals that I wish to accomplish while in Israel, but my top aspiration is to learn about peace. So I conclude with this quote from John Lennon’s song Imagine, “And the world will live as one.”

-Liat Perlin, Oded 2011

Liat Perlin reading Torah at camp this summer

Why Give to Camp?

I can vividly recall walking with two Aleph campers last summer by the Huppin Yurt Village and hearing one of them commenting on Frank Savage and the Facility Staff planting a small Douglas fir tree. Then we found ourselves over at the new Challenge Course which is situated among towering Douglas firs.  The camper then said that someday my grandchildren will come to camp Solomon Schechter and then  tree that Frank planted will be as tall and beautiful as these!

Frank's work at the camp and these young campers give me pause.  A deed of any size can make a huge difference. Many CSS supporters understand this; they get how camp has made so many kids happy and has gotten them interested in things like sports, nature, art, music and Judaism.

You never know how one persons support, actions or words will reverberate. Each donor to CSS helps campers and staff make a lasting impression on the world.  Please give to camp this year, it will be a great investment in the Jewish people!

Sam

Why is Schechter so special?

First of all, we are very excited about our new CSS blog! It should give us a pathway to let even more people know about how important CSS is. CSS does so much for young people and so much for our Jewish community.

A main goal of Camp Solomon Schechter, and arguably the most important, is to instill within people a Jewish Identity. To bring Jews together, some of whom don’t even know how to read Hebrew, or how to daven (pray), or really anything about what it means to be a Jew. For so many CSS is an introduction to Judaism.

CSS tries to instill into people this fact – you are a Jew, and Jews are special. For this reason, we say Brachot (blessings) on food before we eat, we prepare for the Sabbath, and we even teach our young Jews about the holiday of Tisha B’av.

Camp, in its own special way, can ignite in a Jew the feeling of “I’m not like everyone else, I’m a Jew, and I like it!" Camp Solomon Schechter is the place where Judaism and joy are one! This phrase is in fact at the core of what Schechter such a special camp.

It’s with that introduction to Judaism that campers are able to explore more into the uniqueness of Judaism by going to Israel or learning about Judaism in their own communities back home.

There are a ton of exciting things happening at camp that are helping us continue to reach our goals of instilling a love for being Jewish into the lives of our communities young people. We are hiring great staff, renovating facilities and getting new toys! I will soon start posting updates on all the new stuff!

I welcome any alumni to write an entry for the CSS blog, others would love to hear from you!

Welcome to the Schechter Shmooze!

Hello all in the Schechter blogosphere!

I want to welcome you to the Schechter Shmooze, Camp Solomon Schechter's new blog.  The blog will be updated during the year with posts by Schechter staff, campers and alumni.  If you would like to be a guest blogger, please email Furman at dfurman@campschechter.org. 

During the summer, we plan on having this blog updated constantly by campers and staff, so you can find out what's going on every day at camp!

To find out more information about camp, you can go to www.campschechter.org, www.facebook.com/campschechter or email Carolyn.

Israeli Scout Alon Roitman rides the Swing on the new Camp Solomon Schechter Challenge Course

Mara's Awesome Oded Experience

I feel like I could write a whole book on my experience at camp this past summer, so to describe the impact that the Oded program has had on my life in only one paragraph is nearly impossible! I guess over my years as a camper I have never really thought much about how hard my counselors must work to make sure that I am having the time of my life, but now I have a new respect for all of them. Being an Oded was exhausting, but also very rewarding. To have all of those campers looking up to you as a role model was really incredible. Along with learning how to work with young children, I feel as though I am better prepared to interact with all different types of people. As an elected 11^th grade representative at my school who has been in student government since 8^th grade, I can tell that my leadership skills have grown exponentially. I have created strong bonds with friends that will last a lifetime and I have brought home unforgettable memories that I think of very often. If I could I would do this all over again. The stuffy yurts; the overcrowded bathroom with the mud coated floors; the adorable campers who always want your attention; the freezing cold camping trip I had to come back early from; All of it I would do again. It was the best summer of my life! 

-Mara Brashem, Oded 2010 

Mara and many other Odedim dressed up as Oompa Loompas for the Bet Carnival

Matisyahu and More! (re-post from jewishcamp.org/blog)

Camp Solomon Schechter (CSS) had a fantastic summer. Situated in Olympia, WA, Schechter is unique in that we are an independent camp with roots in Conservative Judaism.  Campers come from all denominations and religious backgrounds to participate in a traditional Jewish lifestyle, made connections with other Jewish youths, and learn about Israel and Judaism.

The pinnacle of this year’s special programming was for sure the surprise appearance of Matisyahu (World famous Jewish reggae-rap star). I’ll never forget the sight of the campers running for the amphitheater at the sight of him!

In the end, the goals of this summer were reached. Campers came away with a greater sense of themselves and what it means to be Jewish.  Countless campers have told me that they had an amazing time, will miss their friends dearly, and will be back next year!

Sam Perlin, Executive Director 

Sam Perlin and Matisyahu in the CSS Ampitheatre