What’s new on the GFC Blog?
Honoring the Joshua Tree
The Joshua tree has stood in the middle of the Camp since way before that land was even a part of the Camp. When we bought that property from the Smith family, the Joshua Tree was already growing strong on the land. Generations of Greene Family Campers, staff, and guests have enjoyed its shade. Every opening and closing day, the Avodah unit has made its luggage HQ under its branches.
Greene Family Camp is at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC in Houston!
As our GFC Full-Time Team has expanded, we’ve been able to spread across cities and become more involved in the local Jewish Community. Whether it’s working with our incredible congregations, partnering with multiple organizations and congregations to develop and run Hurricane Harvey Day Camp, or participating in events throughout the community, GFC has been thrilled to be such an involved part of the Houston Jewish Community. We are fortunate to have three of our full-time team members in Houston throughout the year, including Camp Director Stefani Rozen and Assistant Directors Emily Caulfield and McKenzie Sigle.
Farewell from Michele
When I walk laps around perimeter road today, I’m in awe of how much my relationship with this place has changed in four years. When I first came to Greene, it felt SO big. I didn’t know the difference between my Beit Aish and my Beit HaAm. All of the faces were new to me and none of the almost 800 kids were ever my campers as a counselor. It was also a reunion summer which is a particularly busy time to be thrown into a new job focused on communications.
Remembering Rona Ramon
I was introduced to Rona and her husband Ilan in 2002 by Ellen and Louis Krinsky. Ilan, Israel’s first astronaut, was stationed in Houston in preparation for a flight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia the next year. With Ilan in training, Ellen and Louis thought it would be good idea if Rona and her children, Asaf, Tal, Yiftach and Noa, spent a summer in Bruceville just as their daughters, Lauren and Dorey did years before.
Music and Songleading Helped me Find My Jewish Identity
“Songleading is such an amazing way to engage in your Judaism, while creating special and spiritual moments for your community. Music and songleading is how I found my Jewish identity and I love sharing my love for music and passion for Judaism with my congregation at temple and with all of NFTY-TOR! Nashir is such an amazing opportunity to expand your songleading skills learn how to lead a congregation to help them experience the same beautiful, musical and spiritual moments that are equally as rewarding to create!” -Zoey Weinstein, NFTY TOR Religious & Cultural Vice President
Thanksgiving with the Folk Dancers
Happy Thanksgiving from Bruceville, Texas! The weather this weekend was absolutely perfect. The trees are changing color, and it is breezy and cool. There were even deer wandering around the cabins!
Summer 2019 is BIG!
Summer 2019 is a BIG summer for Greene Family Camp. We are looking forward to everything great about summer camp – trying new activities, meeting new friends and reconnecting with those from previous summers, and celebrating our Judaism together in a sacred community. We are so excited to let you know about SO MANY NEW THINGS happening at GFC this year and this summer – we aren’t quite sure where to start!
Introducing Sydney Benator, Our New Kitchen Manager
Five years ago, I decided to leave my family, my dogs, and my Jewish community behind to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Nutrition and Dietetics and fulfill my goal of becoming a Dietitian. I was determined to have a fresh start and create a new identity for myself along with gaining as much experience as possible to get to my dream job.
Why We Love Fall Camp
After a summer of fun, it’s hard to return to normal life. Late night conversations over flashlight in your cabin, s’mores by the campfire, singing stars in the sky under a sky full of stars…back to school just doesn’t compare. And for those that haven’t experienced a summer at camp yet – it’s hard to truly quantify the magic. Camp can be scary for those who have never been – where will you sleep? How’s the food? Can you be away from home for a full summer?
Registration OPEN for Summer 2019
Greene Family Camp Summer 2019 Registration IS NOW OPEN! If you register before the end of September, you can save up to $200 on your camp tuition. This means that you could register for Summer 2019 for LESS than a full-priced session in Summer 2018.