Leaders Assembly 2018

This session will begin with a discussion of circus arts, which in addition to being fun, will also assist in teaching respect, trust, self-confidence, and occasionally healing between communities. You will learn about Kirkas Galil, a youth circus of Israeli Arabs and Jews and a wonderful vehicle for social change. We will discuss using circus arts to study biblical texts, engaging in partner acrobatics and human pyramids to process and struggle with the text. The goal of the session is to model a program that provides the opportunity to study Jewish text in profound, exciting, innovative, and unusual ways, leading to an opening up of Jewish study to all, and especially to those who may find traditional methods difficult or unappealing. This very experiential and intellectually deep study belongs in camps, and will lead to great excitement among campers. This workshop is accessible to all skill and ability levels.

The Making Mensches Periodic Table has embedded itself in the educational programming at camps all over the U.S and Canada. In this session you will have the opportunity to learn from, and brainstorm with, professionals who are excelling in this area. Through this experiential and dynamic session, you will have the ability to explore multiple, unique approaches to using middot at camp that have proven effective. In addition, you will have the opportunity to brainstorm with your peers some new and exciting ways to bring this educational framework to camp.

We are each the hero of our own journey. Not usually the superhero saving earth from sure destruction, but the hero who accepts a call to action and steps over the threshold into the challenges and opportunities that follow, changing along the way. We are often called to step into responsibility, action, or power that feels uncomfortable, unwanted, or just plain weird. This is true of life within the Jewish world, connected to work, and certainly with our roles in camp. Until we take hold of this responsibility, action, and power, owning our most significant life and work roles, we will remain limited in our embracing of possibility and success. This workshop will introduce personal power, voice and the power of roles in our lives. We will then design experiments towards taking hold of our power, owning our roles, and making change. And we'll have fun.

In this session we will look at setting reasonable prayer goals, training staff and deciding what success will look like. This workshop will leave you with many of your questions answered and provide a framework for your prayer experience(s). Camp teams are encouraged to come together to the session to ensure alignment with the mission and vision of the camp.

Programs in the Jewish Teen Funders Network have worked for many years bringing Jewish philanthropy education to the Jewish camp setting. We have partnered with the field to evolve the curriculum and explore different models of integrating Jewish giving education into the camp setting. Hear from a panel of camp and foundation professionals who have intentionally included Jewish giving into their camp program, sending home campers and staff with the tools and skills to be Jewish givers. JTFN will pull from experiences with "Think Outside the Tzedakah Box" and this summer's AVI CHAI Innovation Grant funded Jewish Camp Philanthropalooza to share different turnkey methods.

When a camp experiences a loss, how does the camp community respond? Whether during the year or while at camp, directors are often called upon to lead their communities through difficult times. In this session we'll be learning about Jewish customs and traditions on death and mourning, and discussing how we might adapt them to create rituals and healing spaces.

Many Jewish overnight camps, describe themselves as "pluralist." In today's world, it has been said that diversity is a given, but that pluralism is an accomplishment. What does it really mean to be pluralist? How can we deepen that framework beyond a minimalist attempt at being something for everyone, or creating an atmosphere that causes little or no offense? Using a paradigm adapted from The Pluralism Project at Harvard, we will present a vision for a deeper, more meaningful pluralism. Together, we will explore how to make it practical at camp.

How can we better connect campers and staff? How can we ensure that the Jewish elements of camp are more relevant and meaningful? What do we do to make Judaism a more holistic and organic part of camp culture? How does Jewish culture and programming better connect with our other camp values and priorities? Are there ways for us to better partner with synagogues and other Jewish communal organizations?

Resilience. Gratitude. Compassion. Reflection. How do we cultivate these qualities in our campers and staff members? How do we translate the values of tikkun ‘olam learning and activities at camp into long-term commitment and action in the social justice world? Adinah will draw on her experience with the Tivnu gap year and summer programs and as dean of Jewish life at the American Hebrew Academy boarding school to explore successful practices for supporting young adults as they learn to use power tools, cooking tools, and these life skills. Bring your experiences and expertise to share, and leave with new insights into the holy work of guiding Jewish young adults through this growth.

What does it take to truly develop proficiency with Modern Hebrew and can this really be done in the fun-filled context of a typical camp setting?  Parents say Yes.  Camps say Yes.  The research says Yes.  Funders say Yes.  And the kids say Keyn!  Join us for an exploration into the unique model of the Kayitz Kef / Hebrew At Camp program and how we adapt the gold standard of second language acquisition methodology to the unique and fertile setting of Jewish summer camps.  Experience it yourself during this session, and hear first-hand accounts of why the program works and why parents are so highly satisfied that they send their children back.  Delve into research showing camper pride in their Hebrew skills, increased self-confidence, and a deeper connection with the State of Israel.  Learn about our training, marketing and ongoing assistance to help ensure your camp’s success.  Discuss flexible financial models to fit your needs and budgets.  Explore with us how you can join the growing number of camps throughout North America participating in Kayitz Kef / Hebrew At Camp!