Camp is generally a great experience for kids. They deepen their Jewish identities, broaden their communities, and learn new life skills. However, these benefits can also mean your camper needs some time to process their experience on their own while readjusting to life at home.

The URJ has been bringing Israeli counselors to camp for many years. Their presence offers several valuable benefits to the camp program.

As I contemplate how God manifests in our lives, I’m struck by the value of faith not only in God, nature, and other unknown universal forces, but also by faith in each other as we all strive for a life filled with meaning, purpose, and joy.

My children have learned so much, and have taught me so much, about what it means to be a mensch, a good person, from their summers at Camp Harlam.

On Tu Bishvat we celebrated trees and a season of new growth. I've been doing lots of thinking about trees, as I frequently do, and the role they play in providing oxygen for the planet. At the Union of Reform Judaism, we provide oxygen to our communities by creating compassionate spaces for our participants to grow and thrive. We can respond to current and future challenges by fostering resilience that reflect our Jewish values.

As my sophomore spring was coming to a close, I was preparing to return to Harlam for my third summer on staff and first on the Leadership Team.

There are many things you could do with your summer, so why come spend it at a Reform Jewish summer camp? Well, it's the best summer job you could get, with the perfect combination of skill building, responsibility, and fun! 

Israel is our home. It was in the Torah, and it is now. It sure isn’t perfect, and it might not be around forever, but that’s exactly why we need to come.

This winter, ReformJudaism.org is proud to introduce a simple way for families with school-aged children to take part in fun, meaningful Jewish experiences that will also help them connect to and engage with their local Reform Jewish community.