JCC Blog

Continuing a J Camps Connection in Israel

This June, Robin and Jason Katcoff jet to Israel with daughters Wriley, 12, and Ariella, 9, for Wriley’s Bat Mitzvah.  They’re so excited, not only because Wriley will have her Bat Mitzvah in Israel as part of a tour with Beth Am Synagogue, but for four days beforehand, the family will embark on a great “Shlichim tour,” visiting several of the shlichim they have hosted for J Camps and Noah’s Ark Camp and the Macks Center for Jewish Education, here in their Owings Mills home over the last five years.

Shlichim is the plural form of the Hebrew word “shaliach,” which means “emissary” or “messenger.” Each summer, J Camps plays host to several shlichim, to increase Jewish awareness and knowledge and to promote an understanding of Israeli ideals among J Camp campers and the camp community.

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The Power of J Day Camp

Creating Mensches with Shabbabah 

There is a story of a beloved teacher, Rabbi Zusya, who had become old and taken ill.  His students came to visit him and Rabbi Zusya began to weep.  The students ask the great teacher, “Reb Zusya, why do you weep? Surely, if anyone is slotted for a good life in the world to come, it must be you!” 

Reb Zusya responded, “My dear ones, if when I pass into the next world I am asked ‘Why were you not an Abraham?’ I will have no hesitation to answer, ‘Because, I was not born an Abraham.’ So too, if I am to be asked, ‘And, why were you not a Moses?’ I will still confidently respond ‘Nor was I born a Moses.’ My children, I weep because there is only one question I fear to be asked, ‘Why were you not Zusya?’”  

This story is foundation upon which we seek to grow our community at J Camps...

The Camp Question

By Marnie Goldman 

There comes a moment in most parents’ annual decision making routine that wracks their brain and either causes hours of distress or equal amounts of euphoria…what to do about camp this summer?!

In moments like this, it’s usually more moms who panic than dads. Mom’s over-think every detail down to: who will sit with my kid on the bus, who is driving said bus and who is responsible for slathering my kid in the highest SPF known to mankind?!

For the more experienced parents, camp applications are already being filled out and checks mailed in late January. That leaves weeks of agonizing and 20-questioning for the newbies or those who just can’t make up their minds.

For clarity sake, I have been sending my child to Noah’s Ark for the past two summers. This years’ dilemma is that many of her friends who attend...