The Charlotte Jewish News- November 2026- Page 36
What Jewish Summer Camp Makes Possible
By Francine Safdeye
This summer, mifgash, Hebrew for“ encounter,” took shape at Camp Judaea( CJ) when 18 Israeli teens joined its Bogrim eda“ age group” through Campers2Gether( C2G), a Jewish Agency program launched in 2024. The initiative brings approximately 700 Israeli teens to 34 Jewish overnight camps across North America, offering respite from the emotional toll and uncertainty of war since Oct. 7 while fostering relationships with Jewish peers outside Israel.
The Israeli campers quickly settled into the rhythms of camp, sharing meals as well as activities while friendships took root. The most resonant moments were often the simplest: laughter, exchanged stories, discoveries of one another’ s traditions and the easy pleasure of spending time together.
For the American campers, Israel became more immediate and personal. Their understanding was shaped not only by programs and conversations with the mishlachat“ Israeli staff,” but also by friendships with Israelis their own age.
One CJ camper reflected:“ When the Israelis came and stayed with us for the remainder of the session, it made my camp experience 1,000 times better. I met so many new people, made so many new memories, and they were the nicest people ever. I don’ t know if I’ ll ever meet others as kind as them.”
For the Israeli campers, the experience was equally profound. Camp became a home away from home with surprising speed:“ Coming from Israel, we weren’ t sure what to expect, but from the very first moment, Camp Judaea gave us the freedom to be 100 % ourselves.”
Campers embrace after marking Havdalah and dancing rikkud together.
The Israeli campers wrote of about their lives and culture singing familiar songs, being while also sharing our own camp loud and making“ all the beautiful noise and mess” of home. together reminded me just how
traditions with them. This time
They did not have to mute any special CJ can be in bringing part of their Israeli identity to people together from all over!” belong. Their differences became part of the life of the camp course, in their homes, cultures
There were differences, of community. and perspectives. But those variations invited curiosity rather
That is the heart of mifgash. It asks more than that one group than creating distance. By the learn about another. It creates end of the summer, the Israeli the conditions for young people campers said they had not merely lived alongside their Ameri- to truly get to know one another. Abby Cohn, Bogrim Merakezet“ unit leader,” saw mif- group. Camp made them feel
can peers. They had become one
gash in action:“ Having the part of something larger than the Israeli campers join Bogrim season itself, and they returned halfway through the session was home with vivid memories and such a special experience! It was friendships they hoped would amazing to watch them become endure. That is mifgash at its part of our camp community and best. form friendships with the other Their identities did not disappear, but for a few weeks, campers. I loved getting to learn they were not two groups of Israeli and American teenagers. They were simply Bogrim. Perhaps the surest way to strengthen ties between Jewish communities in Israel and the United States is not to talk about one another, but to live, laugh and learn together.
For the campers, those ties continue through friends in Israel and memories that connect them to another part of the Jewish world. This is how Am Yisrael“ Jewish peoplehood” becomes tangible, namely through relationships formed one person at a time.
Camp Judaea creates a dynamic and inviting space for young people to live their Judaism, build community and forge lasting ties to Israel and one another. What begins with a little bit of Israel in the Blue Ridge
Mountains can become a connection that carries far beyond the summer.
Established in 1961, Camp Judaea is a Jewish, Israel-centered summer camp for children ages 7 to 15 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Set on 158 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the camp offers a close-knit, inclusive environment where campers explore their Jewish identity, connect with nature, build lasting friendships and develop greater independence. To learn more, visit Camp- Judaea. org or connect with Francine Safdeye, camp experience director, francine @ campjudaea. org.
Created by The Jewish Agency in 2024, Campers2Gether brings Israeli teens affected by October 7 and the ensuing war to Jewish summer camps primarily in North America. Through the transformative summer camp experience, campers exchange perspectives, boost their resilience and form lasting connections while discovering the power of Jewish peoplehood. The C2G program at Camp Judaea was made possible through generous support from Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Campers2Gether participants arrive at Camp Judaea, ready for their summer adventures.