In speaking of the creation of the modern state of Israel, Theodore Herzl said, “If you will it, it is no dream.” How appropriate to this past summer at the URJ Northeast Camps: Camp George outside Toronto, Ontario; Crane Lake Camp in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts; and Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

This past spring, it was not known whether the camps would be able to open. Additional funds were needed to enable the camps to operate and meet their programming goals while ensuring the health and safety of campers and staff. District Immediate Past President Trina Novak and I had several contacts with staff members to see how we might help. The staff told us of plans being made to open with strict COVID testing and protocols – no outside visitors, no visiting days for parents, no days off away from camp for staff, and no off-site trips.

What is so important about our URJ camps? At these camps, our young people, in addition to the usual camp activities, learn about living Jewishly. They create and participate in moving services; they have song sessions; they make new friends and renew old friendships, many of these lasting a lifetime.

Importantly, these camps are incubators for our future Reform Jewish leadership. Countless members of our clergy and leaders of our congregations and Reform Movement organizations have attended our camps. Many alumni say that camp has strengthened their identities and showed them paths to success in different aspects of their lives.

Perhaps even more significant, the camps teach the campers how to make their world better and more compassionate – a place for everyone regardless of their gender identity, cultural background, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, race, or religion. Through carefully planned programming, they learn how to work with others, communicate effectively, and be understanding of those around them. These are important life skills and lessons that our campers bring home with them.

The staff and campers cannot do this important work alone. They need support, not just emotionally, but also financially. Every year, our District budget contains a line for camp scholarships. This year presented new challenges. Our District Board, under the leadership of President Sharon Sobel, studied proposals from Camps George, Eisner, and Crane Lake and considered how we could help. I am proud to report that our District Board voted to make an additional one-time grant to each of the camps for the summer of 2021.

If you want to learn more about the camps and are moved to personally help, visit the camp websites: eisnercamp.org, cranelakecamp.org, and campgeorge.org.

From my home to yours, my sincerest wishes for a healthy, safe, and wonderful New Year.

Marilyn Shebshaievitz
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, Scarsdale, NY

The funds we received this year made it possible for campers and staff to get the full camp experience while staying healthy and safe. They had life-changing experiences, made new friends, immersed themselves in joyful Judaism, unplugged from technology, and got to be the best versions of themselves. Camp helped our children begin to emotionally heal after a year of quarantine, distance learning and missing life events. And we were able to breathe a little easier knowing that all of this was happening with carefully planned health and safety measures. We are so thankful to be back at camp this summer, and grateful to the Women of Reform Judaism Northeast District whose generosity helped make this summer possible.

Debby Shriber, Executive Director of URJ Northeast Camps and Youth

Save the date; registration begins on August 15. Sarah Hurwitz was the Obamas' speechwriter – and the quintessential lapsed Jew until she attended an introductory class on Judaism. Now she is on a mission to share insights that she discovered. Register here.

Part 1 of the Temple Beth Am of Framingham's Speaker Series. Join us for a discussion with Roi Aloni, renowned Israeli musicologist. The topic will be "The Musical/Jewish Journey of George Gershwin." Register here.

Do you know someone who should apply to join the WRJ Board of Directors? Encourage them to apply before the October 5 deadline. The WRJ Board helps articulate and promote the organization’s vision, develop and implement major initiatives and policies, inspire women leaders, and consult on project strategies essential to the organization’s success. Get all the details.

Has your leadership of your sisterhood of women's group changed recently? If so, please be sure to submit a Leadership Information form.

WRJ moved its website to a new platform on August 1. The migration includes a reorganization of the website, including our own district webpages. Some content has been moved to a new webpage. You can use the search function, the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of each webpage, to locate content that has been moved.

Note: Links to some WRJ website content may need to be updated by the Marketing & Communications team of your sisterhood or women's group.

The WRJ Shop will continue selling traditional Uniongrams and Goldengrams, but it is phasing out other notes and products. Check shop inventory here. Product orders may be placed by calling 212-650-4050 or by emailing info@wrj.org.

It is easy to make your voice heard. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has created a series of forms that you can use to contact your legislators in the U.S. Congress. Please support these important initiatives for women's health, voting rights, and racial justice.

Women’s Health Protection Act (S.1975/H.R 3755)
This legislation is expected to be taken up around the week of September 20