Discover Jewish Summer Camp Music – No Experience Required

Even in the midst of a chilly winter, we can enjoy the warmth of Jewish summer camp. This time of year is perfect for cueing up camp songs, whether they bring back cherished memories or open the door to a new experience. There's so much to explore beyond the most familiar tunes. Over the past 25 years, the Jewish camp musical world has expanded with beautiful new songs and fresh interpretations of beloved folk melodies. Many of these were inspired by the camp experience itself.

As Ruben Arquilevich, Vice President of Camps and Immersive Experiences at the URJ, notes, "The path to lifelong Jewish identity is paved with Jewish music - and camps continue to provide the gift of Jewish music today."

Much of this thriving tradition has now been brought together in Transcontinental Music Publication's newly released Shireinu Volume II, the long-awaited sequel to the 2001 publication, which served as a comprehensive resource for Jewish songleaders. Here is a small sampling of this rich musical catalog - five newly published musical renditions from Jewish camps across North America:

Ahavat Olam (Noah Diamondstein) - Cantor Danielle Rodnizki shares the following about Noah Diamondstein's "Ahavat Olam," which was written at former URJ Kutz Camp in the summer of 2017: "Noah was noodling the melody over and over just before the evening service in the Teatron [theatre] overlooking the lake. He asked me what the melody sounds like, and I think I said it feels like a love song…. He took it from there and made it into 'Ahavat Olam.' I feel like I watched it happen!"

Be the One (Alan Goodis) - Alan Goodis wrote "Be the One" in partnership with campers at URJ Eisner Camp in 2016. The song, inspired by an antibullying campaign launched in 2013, quickly became that summer's anthem. "From there, our dedication to 'Be the One' only strengthened," wrote Eisner's then-director, Louis Bordman. "And it didn't stop at bullying. It was about Being the One to feed the hungry, protect the environment, help the poor, visit the sick, and so on. It was a calling to not only make the world a better place but to be the change we wish to see."

Candles, Kiddush, Challah, Honey! (Charlie Kramer) - "Candles, Kiddush, Challah, Honey!" was written by Charlie Kramer, who was a songleader at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, California. This song represents a spirited way for campers to get excited to celebrate Shabbat at camp with the traditional ritual items as well as the extra sweet addition of honey. When the song made its way to URJ Camp Newman in California, the lyrics changed to "Candles, Kiddush, Challah, Brownies!" because brownies are an extra treat the campers receive each Shabbat.

Or Zarua (Dan Nichols) - Rabbi Jen Gubitz was in the room 25 years ago when Dan Nichols wrote his contemplative melody for "Or Zarua" at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI). As an Avodahnik - a rising high school senior who studied, worked, and helped keep camp running all summer long - Rabbi Gubitz collaborated on building a menorah for GUCI's Beit Tefillah (prayer space) inscribed with the text of "Or Zarua." The menorah is still an important focal point of the sanctuary, enjoyed by hundreds of campers and staff at GUCI today.

Summertime Forever (Matt Stamm) - Originally written as a 2001 Maccabiah (color war) anthem by URJ Camp Harlam alum Matt Stamm, "Summertime Forever" has become somewhat of a theme song for URJ Camp Harlam in Kunkletown, Pennsylvania. Stamm went on to play music at many camps and made some adjustments to the song's original lyrics so that it could be sung at all camps. Former Harlam director Aaron Selkow writes, "We begin to sing the lyrics of Matt's song and we open ourselves up to hear the sounds of friends, a campfire, the trust and support of others, the laughs heard in a bunk at any hour, of Havdalah ."

In any season, if you enjoy discovering - and rediscovering - Jewish camp music, you're in good company. "The creativity of Jewish singer/songwriters…is a sign of our community's vitality and testament to the power of music to express Jewish identity in each and every age," says Shireinu series founder, Rabbi Daniel Freelander.

"These musical traditions are among our most important legacies," adds TMP's director and Shireinu series editor, Joe Eglash.

Explore the rest of the Shireinu II collection and discover your own new Jewish musical favorites! 

Ready to spark your child's Jewish journey? Learn how to choose the perfect URJ camp and make the most of their experience!