2017 GUIDE MOMENT MAGAZINE A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION WHERE THE STARS GOT THEIR START MAyIM BIALIk Actress Mayim Bialik, star of the 1990s show Blossom and current co-star on The Big Bang Theory, credits the Jewish Federation for making it possible for her to attend summer camp. Per the Canadian Jewish News, in a 2015 address at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s annu- RuTh BADER GINSBuRG al campaign event, Mayim stated, “Because of federation Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attended [in California], I was able to attend Jewish camp for five Camp Che-Na-Wah in upstate New York. It has been weeks a year, to meet other Jews and learn.” She contin- reported that in 1948, at the age of 15, she earned the ued, “It’s because of people like you who gave to people title of “Camp Rabbi.” like me, whose family didn’t have money for camp.” PENNy MARShALL BEN Platt No, actress-director Penny Marshall, aka Laverne from La- Book of Mormon and Pitch Perfect actor Ben Platt be- verne & Shirley, is not Jewish, but she did spend her sum- gan performing shows in his backyard at the age of six. mers attending Camp Geneva in the Poconos alongside In an interview on Late Night: Seth Meyers Ben said he her siblings, the same camp their mother once worked and his family would sing during the high holidays and at as a dance counselor. Camp Geneva was owned by at bar mitzvahs, weddings and parties while growing up Penny’s mom’s best friend’s family. Marshall chronicled in Los Angeles. Seth Meyers asked Ben if he could sing her positive Jewish camp experiences in her memoir My any showtunes in Hebrew and Ben replied, “I played Sky Mother was Nuts. She said, “I recited the Sabbath prayers Masterson four times in Guys and Dolls in my childhood on Friday nights like everyone else.” When Marshall was and one of those times was at my Jewish summer camp, 14 and 15 she returned to Camp Geneva to work as a wait- Camp Ramah in California, and we do all of our produc- ress, where she met the camp’s musical director, a young tions there in Hebrew.” Ben went on to sing the Hebrew Juilliard student by the name of Marvin Hamlisch. version of “Luck Be a Lady Tonight.” kings.moment.ad.17.qxp_Layout 1 11/7/16 1:28 PM P a conversation With JCC Hang out association of north america this summer at JCC Camp Kingswood JODI SPERLING—senior consultant, JCC Overnight Camps and AARON GREENBERG—senior consultant, Day Camp Initiatives Why is camp so critical? What makes JCC camps different? Aaron: Our camps unplug kids from the Jodi: All of our camps are pluralistic. Here we entire system so they’re not slaves to their are in this incubator of ideas and traditions phones and their ipads and their i-this and and let’s learn about why things are done in i-that. They get to live in this sort of cocoon different ways and not be judgmental but ac- where they’re learning. They don’t always cept people for their differences, celebrate the know they’re learning which is part of the differences and respect each other. Every- magic and we’re teaching some very sub- where else in a child’s life, how they are Jew- stantial skills along the way. ish, has been dictated by someone else. Now In school the teachers do the teaching, they are stepping into a camp environment the students do the listening. When you’re where there’s so much opportunity for them at camp and you’re in a community, you’re to have ownership of their Judaism. learning from each other, how to communi- Jewish overnight camp cate, how to be independent, conflict resolu- Aaron: We’re training the future of Juda- In Bridgton, Maine tion. These are life-long skills. ism. Are they going to follow one set of for grades 3-11 guidelines or will they have the ability to Jodi: In the education world, 21st century think for themselves and to explore alterna- • 2, 3.5, 5.5 and 7-week skills include the 4cs: creativity, communica- tive points of view? sessions tion, collaboration and critical thinking. You practice all of those things at camp on a daily Jodi: When you look at our camps you see • No age restriction on basis. Camp teaches kids how to ask for help, the highest number of interfaith and unaf- 2-week program express how they feel and how to articulate filiated families. People see JCCA camping • Weekly elective choices what they need. as a low barrier for entry. It’s a safe place to Camp is a magical experience, but as those try on a new experience which is why it’s so First-time camper grants of us who work in the profession know it’s important that it be a positive one. We use not magic. It’s very, very well orchestrated to say that JCCs in the olden days existed to Open to all and every inch of every moment is of- help new immigrants learn how to be Amer- ten choreographed so that it will be really ican but now we say that JCCs exist to help Mention MOMENT meaningful. Americans learn how to be Jewish. I want to grow a next generation of and receive $100 off so Why JeWish camp? campers who will grow up wanting to this summer Jodi: That is where kids are developing their make the world a better place. Abraham sense of Jewish soul. I once had a parent say Joshua Heschel said “Teach them a Juda- to me “day school is where my kids develop ism to remake the world.” To live in a place 617-558-6531 their Jewish head but camp is where they de- that reflects values and instills in kids the [email protected] velop their Jewish heart.” It’s a place where need for them to be active in the world. I kingswood.org it’s very hands on and experiential. You’re think that is an incredibly powerful gift to CREATIVE doing Jewish. You’re not learning Jewish. be giving children.—Ellen Meltzer C OMMONS JANuARy/FEBRuARy 2017 / MOMENT 63 CHOOSE YOUR JCC SUMMER ADVENTURE Create your own experience, guided by Jewish values. “JCC camp is where [my kids] discovered their Jewish heart.” Karen B., camp parent ATHLETICS ARTS TRAVEL TRADITIONAL AND SPECIALTY CAMPS Whether you’re a teen athlete, artist, or intrepid explorer, JCC Camps build confident kids, friendships, and Jewish connections that last a lifetime. JCC Maccabi® has a vibrant and unique summer planned for you. With more than 120 day camps and 25 overnight camps, our family of JCC Camps is the largest network of Jewish camps in North America. JCCs of North America overnight camps Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp Camp Interlaken Camp Tawonga JCC Ranch Camp Copake, NY JCC of Milwaukee Groveland, CA Robert E. Loup JCC of Denver bhecamps.com Eagle River, WI tawonga.org Elbert, CO campinterlaken.org ranchcamp.org B’nai Brith Camp Camp Wise ® ® ® Otis, OR Camp JCA Shalom Mandel JCC of Cleveland NJY Camps JCC Maccabi Games JCC Maccabi ArtsFest JCC Maccabi Israel bbcamp.org Malibu, CA Chardon, OH Milford & Lakewood, PA campjcashalom.com campwise.org njycamps.org A trip for every perspective B’nai Brith Jewish Community Camp Birmingham, AL July 30–Aug. 4 Miami, FL August 6 –11 Kenora, Ontario Camp Livingston Capital Camps & Retreat Center Pinemere Camp with JCC Maccabi Games® bbcamp.ca Bennington, IN Waynesboro, PA Stroudsburg, PA Capital Region - camplivingston.com capitalcamps.org pinemere.com Experience the culture, history, and Camp Barney Medintz Albany/Schenectady, NY Marcus JCC of Atlanta, Cleveland, GA Camp Mountain Chai Emma Kaufmann Camp Surprise Lake Camp Our amazing summer program for Jewish people of Israel with other Jewish campbarney.org Angelus Oaks, CA JCC of Greater Pittsburgh Cold Spring, NY August 6 –11 creative teens 13-17 years old from teens from across North America. campmountainchai.com Morgantown, WV surpriselake.org Camp B’yachad emmakaufmanncamp.com Miami, FL August 6 –11 around the world. Work with professional Open your eyes, minds, and hearts JCH of Bensonhurst, Medford, PA Camp Poyntelle Lewis Village Tamarack Camps jchb.org/camp-b-yachad Samuel Field YM&YWHA JCC Camp Kingswood Ortonville, MI with JCC Maccabi ArtsFest® artists in visual, performing & culinary with our unique itineraries. Poyntelle, PA JCCs of Greater Boston tamarackcamps.com arts, and collaborate on a Final ArtsFest Camp BB Riback poyntelle.com Bridgton, ME Pine Lake, Alberta kingswood.org Y Country Camp Our Olympic-style athletic event Showcase in front of all of JCC Maccabi. campbb.com Camp Sabra YM-YWHA Montreal JCCs St. Louis JCC JCC Maccabi Sports Camp Huberdeau, QC for Jewish teens 13-16 years Camp Chi Rocky Mount, MO Atherton, CA ycountrycamp.com JCCs of Chicago, Lake Delton, WI campsabra.com maccabisportscamp.org old from around the world. campchi.com Our 35th year and going strong! For our list of JCC day camps please visit jcccamps.org Discover jccmaccabi.org Find your camp at jcccamps.org CHOOSE YOUR JCC SUMMER ADVENTURE Create your own experience, guided by Jewish values. “JCC camp is where [my kids] discovered their Jewish heart.” Karen B., camp parent ATHLETICS ARTS TRAVEL TRADITIONAL AND SPECIALTY CAMPS Whether you’re a teen athlete, artist, or intrepid explorer, JCC Camps build confident kids, friendships, and Jewish connections that last a lifetime. JCC Maccabi® has a vibrant and unique summer planned for you.