Beyond Arts and Crafts: Jewish Retreat Camps for All Ages

The camp retreat experience in Central and Eastern Europe is vital to the renewal of Judaism within this region. Camps there are for all ages, not just children, and they provide an exclusive Jewish environment for a weekend, or a week, in which the participants can experience the Jewish culture in a way they might not be able to at home. In Poland, JDC works with various local organizations to organize these important retreats. Here are some examples of recent camps and future ones too, being held in Poland.

• In December, the Jewish community of Poland held two winter camps. On December 19-27, the Social-Cultural Association of Jews in Poland (TSKZ) organized a camp for people of all ages in Srodborow. The goal of the camp was to integrate people into Jewish culture through concerts, lectures, Israeli dances, and a Hannukah party. JDC provided some financial assistance and programmatic planning.
• The second camp was prepared by the Lauder Foundation, and was held in Ladek Zdroj, December 16 - 26. It targeted Jewish families and "children" of the Holocaust. The main theme of the camp was "Light in Judaism". It was important that these Jewish camps were held during the Christmas season because of the feeling of "Christmas stress" in Poland.
• The Polish Union of Jewish Students (PUSZ) is planning a winter camp for young people, February 16 - 25. The topic of the camp will be: "Purim and Purim Spiel". JDC is assisting with the program of the camp.