Youth, Family & Community

Heller High students celebrate havdallah in Israel

Find a Program

Find the right program for you: search through camps, Israel and social justice travel programs, youth group, and leadership opportunities for kids from elementary school through college.

Search for a Program

campers enjoying color war at Camp Eisner

Discover the Magic of Jewish Summer Camp

Jewish summer camps fuse the activities, friendships, and communal life of traditional camps with the Jewish values, role models and culture our shared heritage. This uniquely immersive experience provides a confidence-building opportunity in which campers experience joy and discovery in a communal Jewish setting.

Learn More About Camp

What's New

Photo of a mother and two kids uppacking boxes

Helping Kids Find Belonging in a New Home

July 18, 2025

Nearly a year ago, my husband, son, cat, and I all packed up and drove 12+ hours to move to Colorado from Illinois. Here are some tips and lessons I learned from my moving experience that helped ease the transition and helped us find belonging in a new place.

Photo of a mother with her arms around her daughter

Parenting Adult Children

July 11, 2025

When my children came home during school breaks, my parenting boundaries were challenged. I realized that they were adults, but I still saw them as my dependent children.

Photo of four young children smiling and playing with bubbles

Building Belonging Before Entering the Classroom

July 1, 2025

As we look to the start of a new school year, we can tap into our communities to create a sense of belonging that will strengthen our connections, model communities of belonging for our kids, and deepen our commitment to Jewish values.

Jewish Converts Interfaith Couples and Families

Interfaith Families: Reform Judaism Sees You, Welcomes You, is You!

Reform Judaism has made a commitment to welcoming interfaith couples and their children into congregations, and offering support for their extended families.

Intro to Judaism

Join our online 20-session course and explore a modern take on Jewish life in a community of learners. New cohorts start throughout the year.

Free Downloadable Family Blessing

Get a free, downloadable family blessing that you can print and frame for your home. Choose between two meaningful designs: a tree or a watercolor stripe.

Family Activities

boys at camp distinguishing the havdalah candle into the wine

Make Your Own Havdalah Kit

The beautiful ritual of Havdalah is the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat. Create ritual items to observe Havdalah on your own, the perfect activity to enjoy with your family.

beeswax candles for the Jewish holiday of Shabbat

Beeswax Candles for Shabbat and Havdalah

Try this beeswax candle activity with your family.

3 Fun At-Home Science Experiments

At URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, every summer morning starts with a “Boker Big Bang” – a brief prayer followed by a (contained) explosion. Here are a few of the camp’s favorite experiments.

Mom holds a laughing son on her lap as she reads a book to him from the couch

9 Jewish Activities to Try When You’re at Home with Kids

Here are some of our favorite Jewishly inspired crafts, recipes, activities, videos, and other ideas to keep you and your family occupied during days spent indoors.

Parenting

Photo of four hands with the word VOTE, one letter on each hand

Talking with Kids about Voting and Democracy

Talking with your kids about democracy and the election process communicates your values and helps children make sense of what they may hear on TV, at school, from friends, and around the dinner table.

Helping Today's Kids Grow Into Tomorrow's Adults

Watch this video to learn how sending your kids to Jewish camp can prepare them to be resilient and independent adults.

an image of a family with two parents and two young children walking and holding hands

Parenting with Purpose

In partnership with parenting and education experts, we've developed a free guide with tactics and resources to help you advance your child's self-advocacy, independence, and resilience.

Find a Jewish Name for Your Child

Learn the meanings and history of Jewish names to find the right one for your child.

Divorce

When Jews Divorce: What Do We Tell Our Children?

In consultation with a child development expert and depending on children’s developmental and emotional needs, spouses should agree on how and when they will explain their divorce to their children and how they will relate to their children following the announcement.

an image of a tuxido and a wedding dress, with a red heart in the middle, and scissors cutting the heart in half

The Jewish Way of Divorce

Judaism has always viewed marriage and the rearing of children as essential for personal gratification, the fulfillment of one's communal obligations, and as a religious obligation. Divorce, while not encouraged, is not deemed sinful or forbidden, but rather a sad, occasionally necessary solution to an unhappy marital relationship.

Find a Congregation

Find a welcoming Reform congregation near you.

Browse the full directory