| JUF's JCRC/Hillel Israel Initiative Visits Camp CHI |
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JUF News Local Stories - August '07JUF's JCRC/Hillel Israel Initiative Visits Camp CHIBy Lisa Klein JCRC Associate Director  As students prepare to return to school, I’d like to reflect briefly on a recent visit I made to Camp CHI in Lake Delton, WI with Larry Goodman. It was the weekend preceding the final week of camp and it hadn’t quite sunk in for the campers that goodbyes, exchanges of emails and a few tears were soon upon them. Our purpose in going to camp was to observe the unique Modern Israel History program, now completing its second year of a generous three-year grant from the Larry Goodman Family Foundation. Throughout the school year, which is rapidly approaching, JUF’s JCRC/Hillel Israel Initiative is busy on college campuses and in high schools across Illinois, educating and empowering students to be confident, lifelong advocates for Israel on campus and beyond. But in the summer, the Initiative goes to camp.
At Camp CHI, the expanded Modern Israel History curriculum now includes separate tracks for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Carl Schrag, former editor of the Jerusalem Post and a creative Israeli educator, designed the curriculum on the Initiative’s behalf, taking an already rich camp experience and adding a vital Israel educational dimension. This year, 9th graders focused on the concept of Jewish peoplehood and the place of Israel in Jewish history and life, making use of the unique camp setting:Max Shulruff, a 9th grade camper from Evanston, wrote: “Abraham’s Journey was my favorite program because we literally went ona journey that led us to understand the need and desire for the modern State of Israel. Just like Abraham, we slept under the stars that night. We spent most of the night talking with Shlichim and sang songs around the campfire and had a really fun night.” Meanwhile, 10th graders focused on the history of the Zionist movement and Modern Israel: The Modern Israel History program is the bomb! My favorite program was the debate. We set up the Moadon like “Nightline” and presented different sides to current Israeli dilemmas. After the debate, we split into small groups and talked further about the issues. Josh Mintz, 10th grader, Northbrook. 11th graders examined key challenges facing Israel and the role of American Jewish teenagers in developing their own relationship with Israel. The Initiative’s Campus Associate, David Brinn, traveled up to CHI earlier in the summer and spoke with 90 staffers about the importance of Jewish communal support for Israel and of portraying Israel beyond the conflict – as a vibrant, democratic and technologically advanced country. The program for 11th graders was completely interactive and integrated serious learning intothe fabric and culture of camp, making use of the waterfront, art, cabin time, overnights, hikes and more. Campers continuedbuilding an Israeli “village” begun last summer, including a 30 ft. by 20 ft. map of Israel, the “Kotel” and a Bedouin tent. Two of the Shlichot told us that all of the campers love to come up to the Israeli village for falafel and hummus and to listen to Israeli music. Campers also got into the habit of leaving notes in the “wall” every time they came up there. The young women spoke with passion and conviction about the importance of the Modern Israel History program and how it permeated down to all levels of campers, even those not yet old enough to participate in the formal program. The opportunity for our high school aged campers to participate in active hands-on programs has been priceless. Staff has put infront of campers a variety of interactive programs and on the Map, when our 10th graders get to make the State of Israel out of ice cream with all the toppings. Then, they all get to eat it! Brad Finkel, Associate Director, Camp CHI.While it is always difficult to pick out highlights from a wonderful experience, our meeting with the SITs (Staff in training) would have to be it. These are the oldest campers – the ones who will be attending college and living on their own the soonest. These young people were amazing – articulate, enthusiastic, committed and connected. The SITs spoke respectfully about one another and alsoabout how the Modern Israel program had changed their view of Israel and their desire to visit, study or ultimately live there. One sign of their enthusiasm for this program was the fact that on their own free time, they chose to attend lunch and learn sessions on Israel held by Carl Schrag. I know that there is a lot of talk among Jewish communal professionals, in particular, bemoaning thefuture of our next generation of Jewish leaders. We came away from this day with nothing but hope that the next generation was doing just fine. |