Thinking Torah Blog

As many of you know, my summer program in Israel was canceled due to the war with Iran. While I was deeply disappointed to miss the chance to study with my cohort, the unexpected change opened the door to something else: a week at Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI), the Reform Movement camp in Zionsville, Indiana, where around 25 of our Ann Arbor kids are spending their summer. I reached out, and GUCI was kind enough to welcome me onto their faculty for the week.

Since Sunday, I’ve watched our kids sing their hearts out during shira (song sessions), lead services with confidence and poise in front of the entire camp, and laugh their way down the waterslide at the brand-new pool. But more than any single moment, what has moved me most is simply watching kids be kids. In a world where screens so often separate us, GUCI reconnects our children to each other and something deeper. They wake up singing Modeh Ani, fall asleep singing Shema, and spend their days surrounded by Hebrew, Jewish ritual, and community. There’s no need to code-switch here; this place speaks their language.

And it’s not just a feeling, though the ruach (spirit) here is extraordinary. The data tells us what our hearts already know: Jewish overnight camp makes a lasting difference. According to the Foundation for Jewish Camp, former campers are 37% more likely to light Shabbat candles regularly, 45% more likely to attend synagogue, 25% more likely to give to Jewish causes, and 30% more likely to donate to Federation. Short of a deeply engaged Jewish home or full-time day school, there’s almost nothing more impactful than Jewish summer camp in shaping your child’s Jewish identity.

Rabbi Chelsea will be joining us for Shabbat this week, and we’ll be sure to share a photo of our full Ann Arbor GUCI crew!