Life skills, teamwork & teachable moments make us different

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While Purim may be on central stage for this joyous month of Adar, here at the Federation we have been hard working on another project. I am happy to announce that Camp Ideal 2023 registration is live! We have been developing what this summer will look like since last summer ended and are so excited to share it with our camp families. With counselors returning, and many new ones on the roster, we were able to expand our activity plans and even intend on expanding the number of age groups, depending on registration numbers. The passion going into this summer is already palpable in the office, and a day doesn’t go by without a new idea being added to the list.

One of the major questions that arises in planning activities for camp is how fun, engaging activities can be turned into “teachable moments” while including the values that we believe to be important.  “Jewish Teachable moments,” a term used and described by Cohen and Bar Shalom (2010), describe the style we incorporate in everyday activities at Camp Ideal. While we could play Gaga, do a scavenger hunt in the woods, cook pita on the fire, and host a watermelon eating contest and campers would be ecstatic, we believe finding ways to incorporate life skills, teamwork dynamics, and holistic Jewish education are what make us unique in the region. The fact we can share these values with campers of all backgrounds and faiths creates amazing opportunities for further learning through interpersonal conversations amongst campers.

Lots more going on at the Fed than just planning though. We prepared for Purim with so many youth and teen programs, such as preparing Hamantaschen for members of our community with SaBaBaH. This month, we will meet again to discuss what it is like to be Jewish at a college campus with a guest speaker. We are also hosting multiple delegations from Israel with local events in schools and at the Federation. Finally, with Purim now and Pesah soon, PJ library is offering ways to host your own event with $100 to get you started! All you have to do is invite other Jewish families to celebrate with you, fill out some short paperwork, and get reimbursed after the program! If you need help coming up with a theme, decorating, or finding who to invite, give me a call! Ask anyone who came to our Ancient Egypt Escape Room, we have plenty of ideas to share!

Dan Ravitch
Director of Programming,
Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley
Phone: (574) 233-1164 | Email: dravitch@thejewishfed.org