Shavuah Tov Camp Judaea Family,

The entire CJ Tsevet (staff) feels tremendous gratitude for the privilege of working and playing with your children this past session.  The final week of camp was a very busy with our chanichim commemorating Tisha B’av, finishing chug projects, eda service projects, our Camp-wide Hatzagah, the Dance Chug production, a concert with Shimon Smith and so much more.

All of our campers and staff had the opportunity to speak with Israeli Consul for Media and Public Affairs, Shahar Azani.  Their discussions were both highly engaging and impressive. We are so very proud of our community and their love for the State of Israel. In his words, this is what Consul Azani had to say:

“Spending time with the children and staff at Camp Judea has been an amazing experience for me. First, the children’s eloquence and thirst to interact freely on Israel both impressed and inspired me. It is my sincere belief that this interaction, free and profound, in that surroundings at that point in time in their lives, is the proper way to build their confidence when it comes to Israel. I loved their passion, and the hospitality. Thank you for making Camp possible and may you continue to flourish with your endeavors. I look forward to staying in touch!”

There have been many magical moments in this past session.  This past Shabbat (it’s just us here now), the camp senior staff was thinking of each of our campers and staff members from our entire 54^th Season and sending lots of love and good wishes to all of you.  We can’t wait for us all to be together again in 2015 for our 55^th Anniversary season.  Please enjoy these final messages from each of our Merakzim.

Shabbat Shalom,

Tom Rosenberg, Executive Director

PS:  Check out video highlights from this last week on CJ News by clicking here.  We’ve also posted the entire CampWide Hatzagah (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) online here and we’ve also posted the entire Dance Chug Performance here.  Remember, you can always access all of our videos on our Vimeo page here. 

Dear Rishonim parents,

As staff depart and I’m getting ready to leave Camp Judaea, I can’t believe another incredible summer is over. My time being the Rishonim merekezet has been nothing short of incredible and I am so proud of every Rishie for making the program what is it. What a summer it’s been! Each Rishonim child got a chance to do every special thing that camp has to offer. From sussim (horseback riding), to jumping on the trampoline in the lake, each day was filled with smiles. When it came time for bed, it was heartwarming to see each child fall asleep the second they got out of the shower simply because they were exhausted from having too much fun. “A taste of CJ” is exactly what it sounds like – the program is so special and important because each camper gets a chance to get a taste of everything. We even had our own little Bikkurim because the program ended before the campwide one that took place. The smiles on their faces that day (and everyday, really) were unforgettable.

Rishonim parents, I really can’t thank you enough for sending your children to Camp Judaea. They have an incredible journey ahead of them that will change their lives forever the same way it changed mine. It was an honor to watch them smile and be the adorable kids that they are. I can’t wait to see them grow and progress even more.

Shabbat Shalom,

Isabelle Morris

Dear Offarim Parents,
We are sad to see our Offie campers leave but happy that they left with a summer full of joy, laughter, and memories. From our first eda meeting, peulot eda, day trips, overnight, and bikkurim to our last Offie nut cheer in the Chadar Ohel, we hope our campers had an amazing experience at CJ this summer. This summer was a huge success and we thank our campers for their energy, excitement, and courage. Have a great year and see you next summer!
Shabbat Shalom,

Cyleena Rodriguez

Dear Oranim Parents, 

Just 36 hours ago, the Oranim campers left their new home with great memories to look back upon. They all made such great friends, old or new, and experienced moments that will only happen in Camp Judaea. To conclude our session, we did an activity where each camper was given a few pieces of paper to write letters to their friends. It was amazing to see how much each camper had to say to their friends. Each camper received these letters with huge smiles on their faces, which was great to witness. Oranim campers grew so much over the session and cherished each moment of the amazing summer they had here. I can’t wait to see them all here next year!

Shabbat Shalom,

Amanda Shames

Dear Sayarim Parents,

It’s hard to believe that another summer at CJ has come to an end, but the memories made in Sayarim will be cherished forever. The chanichim came to CJ not knowing what this summer had in store for them. For some of them this was their second or third summer, but many of them walked into the gates for the first time. By day three of the session, it was hard to tell who was new and who wasn’t. Throughout the summer we learned about famous Jewish and Zionist heroes. By the end of the session, we became the heroes of CJ by creating beautiful street signs for camp commemorating the famous people we learned about. From our day trip to Chimney Rock and overnight, to the fun day we spent together at Dollywood, summer 2014 was life changing for me as the Merakezet, the entire Sayarim staff, and of course all of the campers. 

I can’t wait to see everyone signed up for Tsofim 2015!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rachel Cohen

Dear Kesher Parents:

Wow this session has really gone by quickly. Already most of you are reading this letter in the comfort of your own home while your children regale you about all of their experiences, be it through the bikkurim cheers they screamed, or even the small little jokes within the cabin. I can honestly say that being the Merakez for your children has been an incredible experience.
This summer has truly been life changing for many of our chanichim (campers), and I hope you know that it has been a pleasure watching your children grow through these amazing experiences, and I hope they remember their Kesher summer for the rest of their lives.

Wishing you a fantastic rest of the summer and a shabbat shalom,
Eddy Allen

Dear Bogrim parents,

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the privilege to work with your Bogrim campers this summer. We had more fun than words can describe, and we accomplished more than any Bogrim that came before. We built a project in Bogieville, we painted a beautiful new mural, and we started an incredible new relationship with our friends at Camp Living Wonders. Here at camp, we were role models for our B.O.s and we made friends for life. Bogrim 2014 has truly made its mark on camp and will never be forgotten. Again, thank you for making this happen. See you next summer at Chalutzim!

Shabbat Shalom,

Sarah Fine

Dear Chalutzim Parents,

It’s closing day here at CJ for the staff and it is safe to stay it was another amazing and successful summer! Walking through the tabins (Chalutzim village) for one last time truly was an emotional scene. The Chalutzim chanichim were able to accomplish so much this session from rafting the French Broad, creating multiple murals at camps, a new welcome sign and obviously completing the North Carolina Outward Bound School. It was a great honor to call myself the 2014 Chalutzim Merakez, a supervisor position I never could have imagined myself being in when I was a Chalutzim camper. One of the main themes of our eda was hadracha (leadership), something that each of your children represent so well, being leaders.

We creating a Chalutzim-Rishonim garden by pairing each Chalutzim camper with a Rishonim camper (youngest eda in camp) and planted a flower in a garden that they made together and created a rain barrel. We planned a puela for all of the older edot in camp and spoke about doing Chalutzim and attending Tel Yehuda. Once again, working as the Chalutzim Marakez was a blessing and I am so humbled to have the opportunity to work with these incredible individuals! 

Shabbat Shalom,

Jonathan Burger