 | One of my favorite songs from Shabbat services is the song we sing as we put the Torah back into the Aron, the ark. The song Etz Chayim Hee is a passage found in Proverbs 3:17. This phrase, “Etz Chaim” is this summer’s theme at Machaneh Yavneh. It’s a phrase that is seen throughout the Torah, in Proverbs, in Bereisheit, and other places. The tree of life is a symbol of a fresh start on life, positive energy, good health and a bright future. A tree grows old, yet it bears seeds that contain its very essence and, in this way, the tree becomes immortal. It is a symbol of growth and strength. The Tree of Life symbolizes togetherness and serves as a reminder that no Jew is ever alone or isolated, but rather that we are all interconnected. The Tree of Life symbolizes one's individuality as trees are all unique with their branches sprouting at different points and in different directions, yet trees are usually found together, in forests, rather than isolated and growing alone. It symbolizes a person's personal growth into a unique human being as different experiences shape them into who they are, while still maintaining their role as part of a larger community of klal Yisroel. Just as each unique tree is celebrated as part of a larger forest, each individual person should be celebrated as part of a larger community. Perhaps the most opportune example to do so is during Pride Month, which we are celebrating during this month of June. During Pride Month, the world’s LGBTQ+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are. As we prepare to come together as a kehillah in just 18 days, it is my hope that we can look at our summer theme and focus on the pride we should all feel that we belong to a community that consistently thrives to celebrate not only our commonalities but also our individuality. I hope that in our small enclave in New Hampshire we continue to work to create a community where every “tree” feels welcome and celebrated. Shabbat Shalom, Miriam Loren Director of Camper Care | |  | | | Who doesn’t love a good story? Stories have the ability to tie any community together in so many ways. Camps are no exception. Summers at Yavneh are built on folklore. With every passing year, these fables become more ingrained in the fabric of our lives. We remember exacting details about an event as if it was yesterday. This is the magic of storytelling. This is the power of overnight camp. This is the strength of Yavneh. As we get ready for kayitz 2021, members of our community are going to be telling their stories about Yavneh. Why they love and support it, ways that it has contributed to them and the importance that Yavneh has on our Jewish community. As a non-profit organization that is committed to having campers and families from multiple backgrounds, tuition does not fully cover the operational costs of running Yavneh. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation through its 2021 All Together Now grant recognizes how important it is to support Jewish overnight camping. They are matching every gift $1 for every $2 donated. In order to receive the full match of $106,000, we still need to raise $93,000. Your support is another chapter in our story as we thrive and grow.
Click here to make a donation www.campyavneh.org/donate. Shabbat Shalom! | |  | | | | A main ingredient of Yavneh’s special sauce is our commitment to creating and fostering many opportunities for our campers to grow Jewishly throughout the summer. We could not realize this driving force of what we do and why we do it...without our incredibly talented, patient, creative, and diverse Tzevet Chinuch (Education Staff). The educators and clergy who make up this segment of our Tzevet, represent and reflect our K’lal Israel mission to include many Jewish voices, perspectives, and journeys in our community. Our chanichim (campers) are lucky that they get to learn, explore, and dive deep into our thoughtful and intentional curricula with these individuals. Some morim (teachers) have been at Yavneh for many years, while others will experience a NH summer for the first time this year. Take a moment to read about them on our website and help us welcome them to Kayitz ’21! | |  | | | | | Coming soon… The revised and final version of the COVID PLAYBOOK FOR REOPENING SAFELY FOR KAYITZ ‘21. Recent weeks have given us much hope, and our COVID Task Force has helped us frame out the summer with our campers’ and staff members’ health, safety, and fun in mind. We are meeting with the committee once more before summer’s start. From the bottom of our hearts - todah rabbah to this dedicated team of professionals! We are currently making adjustments to our protocols, and will continue to do so right up to camp, so you can expect the last revised edition of the Playbook to land in your inboxes and get uploaded to the website a week before camp! We are in the homestretch now! Thanks for your patience as we have navigated a truly remarkable era of summer camp planning! | | | | Kadima Yavneh Over the past three months, Kadima Yavneh Alumni has been marching forward with joy, inspiration, laughter and friendship. Thanks to the following alumni who volunteered their time and expertise for a variety of online zoom peulot erev, from baking to financial planning and everything in between. Rob Finkelstein K89– Bake with Cinnamon Schtick Bradley Baskir K08 – Psychology of Money Ed Shems K85– Drink n Draw Rachel Barowsky Coddington K98- Israeli Wine Tasting Julie Reisler K91- Boost Your Immunity from Within WYAV Retrospective: Jackie Kahn K68, Rabbi Bernie Gerson K79, Efraim Yudewitz K99 Rob Finkelstein, K’89, taught alumni how to make a fruit galette and for weeks after, people got creative and continued to make and post pictures of a variety of galletes. Bradley Baskir, K’08, shared his insights and tips on the importance of starting to save and invest money from the very beginning of your career. Ed Shems, K’85, taught us how to make a ‘Zine (first he had to tell us what that was). Some of us were challenged by figuring out how to fold the paper, but once we got the hang of it, the rest was easy! Rachel Barowksy, K’98, introduced us to a variety of Israeli wines and introduced us to the idea of everything that goes into making the grapes as sweet and delicious as they can be (including the soil in which the vine is planted). Julie Reisler, K’91, made each of us stop and appreciate the moments we were in. Her techniques helped us to find ways to feel less tired, more energetic and more appreciative. And then there was WYAV….A Retrospective. Thanks to Jackie Kahn, K’68, Rabbi Bernie Gerson, K’79, and Efraim Yudewitz, K’99. Each of them gave us their perspective on Yavneh through the lens of WYAV. Jackie’s historical perspective allowed us to see camp, music and radio in a way that we never understood before. Bernie’s perspective allowed us to stroll down memory lane and to see what Yavneh can give you and where it can take you in the future. Efraim opened everyone’s eyes to see that Yavneh is home for all who seek it. WYAV, and by extension Yavneh itself, was a safe, comfortable and supportive environment that allowed those who didn’t have a home to feel at home. We look forward to more Kadima Yavneh Alumni events after the summer and maybe even DURING the summer! Stay tuned! Want to be part of the planning? Have alumni news to share? Stay in touch with us! Please reach out to Adina@campyavneh.org or Lisa@campyavneh.org. | |  | | |  | Zoom away into nature @ Family Camp at Yavneh Tuesday, August 24th - Sunday, August 29th Reconnect with friends and family Fun activities for kids with counselors Parent-only activities and socializing Special family programs Joyful Shabbat experience Details & Registration: https://www.campyavneh.org/familycamp/ Questions: shirah@campyavneh.org Participants 12 and older need to be vaccinated COVID guidelines are subject to change | | | |  | | | | |  | Mazal Tov to the following chanichim who are celebrating their b'nai mitzvah in June: Galia Cohen-Margolius (Arayot), Max Coakley (Arayot), Natan Hockenstein (Arayot), Eben Paris (Arayot), David Rosemberg (Arayot), Ari Shverdin (Arayot), Avery Simon (Arayot). Yom Huledet Sameach to the following campers who are celebrating June birthdays: June 1 - Meital Cohen-Margolius (Gefen), June 3 - Hadar Finegold (Gurim), Nachum Gottlieb (Gefen); June 4 - Jacob Fagelson (Gurim); June 5 - Abigail Roskind (Arayot), Ayden Strosberg (Kfirim); June 7 - Seth Leiman (Gurim); June 8 - Bennett Solomon (Kfirim); June 9 - Joseph Gann (Kerem), Ayelet Lederman (Kerem), Jonah Prager (Kfirim), Elia Steinberg (Na'aleh); June 10 - Ofir Drory (Maalot), Tom Lamendola (Gurim); June 11 - Joshua Danzig (Maalot); June 12 - Maddie Dolfman (Maalot), Nava Elefant (Gurim), Marc Eras (Na'aleh), Mira Eras (Na'aleh), Eliot Rogal (Maalot); June 13 - Micah Geballe (Gurim), Layla Israel (Maalot), Tori Mishkin (Maalot), Eben Paris (Arayot), Danny Platovsky (Leviim), Yishai Schwaber (Na'aleh); June 14 - Noga Rose (Arayot); June 15 - Ezra Lederman (Gefen); June 16 - Emily Freeman (Kerem); June 17 - Alex Joans (Gefen), Mikey Rosemberg (Kerem), Amit Sage (Gefen); June 18 - Tucker Labat (Gurim); June 19 - Josh Wolf (Maalot); Leah Zur (Gefen); June 20 - Micah Birnbaum (Leviim); June 21 - Hodaya Schwaber (Leviim); June 22 - Leo Katz (Gurim), Sophie Lowin (Kfirim), Olive Mank (Gefen), Shoshie Meltzer (Gurim), David Rosemberg (Arayot), Isabel Waitman (Kerem); June 24 - Noa Geller (Leviim), Avery Simon (Arayot); June 25 - Noga Goidel (Gurim), Natan Hockenstein (Arayot), Rafael Kupferman (Gurim); June 26 - Sivan Melamed (Na'aleh), Talia Ravera (Leviim), Alana Zahler (Leviim), Zoe Zahler (Leviim); June 27 - Raffi Manley (Gurim), Jacob Prager (Leviim), Galete Samansky (Arayot); June 29 - Galia Cohen-Margolius (Arayot), Jacob Kress (Kerem), Lily Kress (Kerem); June 30 - Galit Ravera (Gurim). Mazel Tov to: Dr. Jonathan Golden (K’89) Gann Academy History Department threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Jewish Heritage Night at Fenway Park. Rabbi Charlie Savenor (K’84) has been chosen as the first recipient of the “Maimonides Award for Excellence in Jewish Education by Community Scholar Program (CSP), Orange County. Rebecca Altholz (K’19) received a 2021 Glammy Award from the GlamourGals Foundation. Annually GlamourGals recognizes four high school seniors for their outstanding leadership. Rebecca was recognized because she facilitated a series of intergenerational volunteer events on zoom with residents at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale by RiverSpring Living. Raviva Hanser (K’05) on her marriage to Evan Quinn Simon Fischer (K’03) on his marriage to Abrisham Eshghi ELi (K’00) and Rena Aroesty on Zoey Abigail’s first birthday Alex (K’06) and Catherine Quatrano on the birth of Elizabeth Barbara Aaron (K’99) and Alexandra Leeder on the birth of Silas Luc | | Please keep in touch with us and share your milestones, simchas, births, passings, news & updates. You can send details and photos to Adina@campyavneh.org | | | | Connect With Camp Yavneh! SUMMER ADDRESS
18 Lucas Pond Rd
Northwood, NH 03261
(603) 942-5593
WINTER ADDRESS
160 Herrick Rd
Newton, MA 02459
(603) 942-5593 | | |
