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The Israel Trip of a Lifetime
Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to participate in the URJ Leadership Mission to Israel. This trip was a jam-packed, whirlwind schedule crammed into six days filled by meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Authority politicians, leaders in the Reform movement, settlers, Arab businessmen, Reform congregations, former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, Natan Sharansky, Reform movement youth.
Holding Onto Camp
Cantor Vicky Glikin of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas tells us what she is holding onto from the summer as her time as faculty on camp comes to an end.
Maccabiah: A Celebration of Community and Individuality
For two summers, I have served on the faculty of Greene Family Camp during Maccabiah. It’s really just a coincidence that I serve this week, and to be honest, when I was a camper I hated color war. At the camp I attended it was the one day when everything changed. My new friends became my opponents, I had to participate in sports that I would have never chosen to play, and my beloved counselors even took sides.
Just Be You: Wisdom from a Shorashimer
Meet Anna from Tulsa, OK. This nine-year-old has incredible words of advice on how to best enjoy camp.
Naming the Duck: Jewish Ritual in Unique Circumstances
There’s a lot to teach at the farm: proper care of animals, understanding the life cycle, respecting the planet. From husbandry and handling, laws of Kashrut featuring our pig Pudge, or Ba’al Tashit that teaches us not to waste or destroy the Earth, we infuse Judaism into all we do.
Camp: My Past, Present and Future
As I moved my daughter, Jillian, into her official first cabin for her official first summer at GFC, I was slammed with nostalgia, emotion, and full circle moments, as well as some familiar camp connections.
Strength to Strength: When Jewish Education at Camp Really Works
David Scott, Executive Director and Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, TX, tell us about his experience working with our Shoftim campers this week, and his integration into the culture of Jewish camp life.
The Comfort of Camp
After the loss of a family member, Hilary Kamin, Director of Education at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, found comfort in her new community at camp.
Camp: Our Promised Land
Just like the Israelites waited outside the gates of the Promised Land, our campers wait all year to enter ours. Rabbi Dan Utley from Temple Emanu-El in Dallas compares his experience of coming to GFC for the first time to the experience of the Israelites in this week’s Torah portion.
Blessings from our Unit Heads
At every Opening Ceremony at the beginning of the session, our unit heads are invited to deliver a blessing to our units. Here are each Unit Head’s blessing for their unit.