Winter 2024
WORDS FROM THE WISE
Holding Hands, Making Space By Rabbi Dan Utley, Director Summer will be here before we know it! We are thrilled to welcome over 600 campers from across North America and more than 140 exceptional staff members, including many former Camp Wise campers, staff from Israel, and Jews from communities worldwide. The Home of Happiness is poised to offer a joyous and awesome experience as always – even while this summer, our community holds many feelings about this most difficult year in Israel. Throughout this winter, in meetings with fellow camp professionals or discussions with Camp Wise parents, staff members and campers, I have reflected on the ways the war may impact our camp. While our unwavering commitment to safety and security remains the top priority at Camp Wise and the Mandel JCC, I am equally aware of the need for thoughtfulness this summer to reinforce the inclusive community we hold dear – one where campers and staff members feel emotionally safe and respected, and where we continue to foster ahavat yisrael, a love for Israel and her people. Camp Wise carries an inspiring legacy from its 117 summers. The Home of Happiness has endured through times of unimaginable war, navigating waves of antisemitism, racism, political strife and national unrest that have affected the American Jewish community. We
can draw strength and wisdom from this tradition, which teaches that the magic and meaning of camp must prevail as a reminder that a vibrant Jewish life is our best response to dark times.
WHAT’S NEW FOR SUMMER ’24
In Summer 2024, we will celebrate Shabbat through dance, song and our beloved “pop waves,” and we will fervently pray for peace for Israel and for all people. On Yom Yisrael, we will wake up to the blaring of Israeli rock music, end the day standing tall for Hatikvah and we will create safe spaces for dialogue, discussion and learning. On the first night, we will build our cabin contracts with the usual blend of seriousness and humor and accompany it with extra guidance on expressing our opinions and beliefs when we might disagree.
• Hebrew-speaking camper care team members to better support Israeli campers and staff
The Home of Happiness stands strong because we stand strong with one another in relationship – holding hands and growing close, while also making space to learn and listen to each other, and still speak our truth.
• New lake toy, voted on by campers
• Revamped Noar and Solel trips, including trips to amusement parks • New pavilion, hardscape, cooking fire pit and facilities for Teva (nature) programming. The Stanley I. and Hope S. Adelstein Fund has generously supported this project. • Security upgrades including our new Welcome Center
Look out for more updates in the next Red Wagon!
camp wise news | winter 2024
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AVery Special “Todah Rabah”
TO ALL OF OUR MOST RECENT CAMP WISE DONORS! We are honored to recognize the families, individuals and groups who have made thoughtful and generous contributions to Camp Wise during the 2023 Forward Together Harold Grinspoon Match. Contributions to Camp Wise continue to help make camp possible. Your donations of $18 will help support new programming, supplies for a cabin or bolster a village program. $36 will help support camp’s ability to post over 7,000 photos over the summer. $180 goes toward amazing out-of-camp trip experiences for our older campers. $13,164 will make it possible for five desiring campers to experience the Home of Happiness for the first time. As of January 31, 2024 WISE MADNESS 2023 Adam Josephson Amy & Scott Bilsky Anna Buchner Anna Vinogradov Beth & Christopher Young Brian Chessin Darby & Jon Steiger Emily Korona-Luscher & Kendon Luscher Evan Meles Haleigh & Martin Shankle Hannah & David Davidoff Ilana Litwak Jamie Starkey & Ian Friedman Jeffrey Greenwald Jennifer Slate & Jonathan Grischkan Jessica & Alan Semel Jessica Auerbach Burgoon & Matthew Burgoon Jessica Traeger
Joshua Levy Josiah Haas Marcy & Ira Young Mark Young Matthew Golden Matthew Paley Nancy & Robert Zimmerman Paulie & Carnie Rose Rachel & Daniel Utley Robin Shell Sonni & Steven Senkfor Stewart Lewis Suzanne & Lee Appel Tiffany Kessler Zachary Marlin GRINSPOON MATCH Abby Kaufman & Molly Smemo Alina Bodas Amanda Karp & David Emerman Amy & Richard Kalk Amy & Scott Bilsky Ann & Scott Garson Anna & Boris Baliner Anna & Jason Rulnick
Anna Vinogradov Barry Marlin Carnie Shalom Rose Carol & Arnie Feltoon Cathy Becker Craig Kaufman Deborah & David Shifrin Dolores Kleinman Dr. Herman C. Smith Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland Eliana LeVine & Josh Polster Elizabeth Weinstein & Jason Confino Hallie Saferin Hellena Dranitsin Jane & Scott Brown Jason Wachs Jessica Traeger Jessie Bruder & Aaron Tevlowitz Joel Saltzman Jonathan Hausman Katie Moscowitz Laura Adelman Lawrence Mack Lisa & Larry Davidoff Lydia Stux Mariana Ojanu Obada
Marilyn & Jeffrey Bilsky Mark Young Marni Weinstock Mary Ann Shamis Matthew Golden Michael Gurman Michael Shapiro Mitchell Cronig Molly BeckermanRodau Nancy Zimmerman Natalia Khineyko Sally Wertheim Shelly & Scott Lewis Stacy Ettinger Susan & Mark Ringel Suzanne & William Utley Zachary Marlin Zakai Segal STAFF LOUNGE INITIATIVE Alyssa Sands Amy & Scott Bilsky Andrea & Jerrod Woll Beth and Mark Riley Daniel & David Wittenberg Debbie & Daniel Chessin Debra & Jason Hollander
Deborah & James Weisman Deborah & Howard Bobrow Edie Ungar-Shafron & Steve Shafron Ellen & Jonathan Brown Emily & Eric Ludwig Gabrielle Engelman Hannah & Clifford Mendelsohn Ido Amit Jennifer & Matt Glass Jill & Jeffrey Muencz Juli & Charles Herman Julie & Samson Eschenbrenner Karen & Douglas Katz Kelly & Gilon Rubanenko Lauren & Yale Levy Liz & Brian Cohn Marilyn & Jeffrey Bilsky Marla & David Berns Melissa & Lee Korland Michelle & Sam Feinberg Michelle & Matthew Levy Myra Lipton Pam & Matt Kurtzman Rachel Kabb-Effrom Sara Haus & Angelo Posa Scott Klein Shani & Scott Spiegle Suzanne & Lee Appel Vannessa Moses & Michael Robinson IN MEMORY OF Cole Zelwin Carol & Arnie Feltoon Diane Dronzek Jessica & Alan Semel Marcy Young Samantha Licker & Adam Babcock Maxine Middleton Beth Young
Rachel Felber Yair & Carol Weinstock Arnold Stux Lydia Stux Rhonda Wachs Jason Wachs Lillian Friedman Carol & Arnold Feltoon Randie Sass Leah Sass IN HONOR OF Ben Stallsmith & Rebecca Lord Lindsay Migdal Barry Brouman Susan & Paul Nathan David Gruhin Jonah Levenberg Suzy Tucker Susan & Paul Nathan The 1955 & 1956 Campers Steven Ring Filzer & B Jennifer Slate & Jonathan Grischkan Dan Utley Susan and Michael Hyman Amy Kalk Naomi Lamb Shayna & Adam Kling Lynn and Joel Kling Beth Young Dawn Ward Boris & Lubov Naydinskiy Elena Naydinskaya Evan Meles & Jacki Mironov Marriage Gabriel Weinstein Please let us know if your name was inadvertently left off the list.
Mandel Myers Fellowship
Staff Scholarship Summer 2023
For the third year, we are so excited to be able to offer the Mandel Myers Fellowship Program, a scholarship through the Cleveland Jewish Federation.
Congratulations to the following staff members from Summer 2023 who were the recipients of our Staff Scholarship!
This program allows our staff to keep doing what they love (being at camp) while offsetting some of the costs associated with attending university. Open to any Jewish young adult from Cleveland and beyond! Returning overnight camp counselors will be eligible for a scholarship of $5,500. First-time overnight camp counselors will be eligible for a scholarship of $4,500. Ready to be a part of our 117th summer? Apply for Camp Wise and for the fellowship here
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camp wise news | winter 2024
• Yossi Berkowitz Counselor, ILS & Noar • Kiera Kresfelder Soccer Specialist, Ohalim • Rachel Cohen Graphic Design & Podcasting Specialist, Chalutzim & Solel • Adam Hollander Counselor, Solel & Noar • Adam Coles Video Specialist, Ohalim
SHANA SAYS
Notice Miracles When the Israelites left Egypt, God sought to impress them with a miracle so spectacular that no one who experienced it would ever doubt God’s providence Rabbi Shana Nyer again. God caused Jewish Educator the waters of the Red Sea to part, letting the Israelites pass through in safety. Safely across the sea, the people were impressed and sang God’s praise, pledging their undying loyalty: “The Eternal will be our Ruler forever and ever.” God’s plan worked…for about 48 hours. By the third day, the people were hot, tired and thirsty. They complained to Moses about the lack of food and water
and wondered why they ever left Egypt in the first place. God realized that no matter how impressive a miracle might be, it does not solve the problem of faith for more than a day or two, any more than the finest meal saves the problem of being hungry for very long…[A] few small experiences of the meaningfulness of life every day will do more for our souls than a single overwhelming religious experience. (Adapted from Rabbi Harold Kushner, When Everything You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough)
In Hebrew the Jewish value of gratitude is called “hakarat hatov,” meaning “searching for the good.” When we spend our time looking for good things, looking for the small miracles, we feel more grateful. This summer we will be focusing on our core value of hakarat hatov, and I am so excited to discover all the miracles that await us!
Rabbi Kushner and our Torah teach us that we must pay attention all the time. How many moments of meaningfulness do we miss because we don’t take notice? Large miracles are few and far between, but small meaningful experiences are everywhere and all the time. And the truth
PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVE In December, our team (and some helpful volunteers) sorted through our photo archives. We found thousands of photos, dating back all the way to 1907!
Check out two of our favorites, including the mail delivery in the summer of 1908!
is these small meaningful experiences are miracles, too.
BUSY JANUARY We’ve had awesome winter events for all ages! Over 70 first through fourth graders swam at our MLK Jr. Day Pool Party, and the 2024 ILS and SIT participants prepared for their summer at the Leadership Retreat. Swimming at the pool party
Making Rugelach at Leadership Weekend
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camp wise news | winter 2024
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: CW SPONSOR - $10,000 • Event tickets for ten guests • Limited edition Camp Wise shirt and retro logo mug • Recognition in event program • Sponsorship signage for one chug or evening event at the banquet • Shabbat Table for 10 alumni during the 2025 summer (dates must be cleared with CW Staff)
One More Night at Camp Wise! One More Night to Relive Your Glory Days! ALUMNI CAN ATTEND THE ENTIRE WEEKEND (BANQUET INCLUDED) OR JUST THE BANQUET.
The Alumni Committee is excited to announce the first ever Alumni Banquet on Saturday Aug. 17, 2024 (for alumni 21 and up). This signature-style event will allow alumni of all generations to have one more night at camp, reconnect and reignite their passion for Camp Wise.
The event is co-chaired by Amanda Goldberg, Andrew Saltzman and Eli Steinberger. If you are interested in supporting this event and our alumni efforts, we invite you to become an event sponsor.
We all have fond memories of Camper Banquet, receiving awards that either made zero sense or made your summer, sampling around-the-world style cuisine and always ending in a dance party. The Staff Banquet was the culmination of everyone’s work with hilarious themes, Met Gala level costumes made in the art shack and a live auction where someone’s bandana would go for hundreds of dollars. Alumni Banquet will be for everyone. Our goal is to have all generations of Camp Wise alumni represented. The evening will include all the parts of camp you love. The chance to walk the paths and see your old cabins, enjoy chugim but all grown up, Havdalah service in the chapel, family style meal at the chadar and a live auction benefiting scholarships and to fund a future need for summer 2025. And of course, don’t forget about campfires and song sessions!
Event Co-Chairs
Amanda Goldberg – arbruell@gmail.com Andrew Saltzman – awsaltzman@gmail.com Eli Steinberger – es.steinberger@gmail.com
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Through Forward Together: A Matching Grant for Jewish Overnight Camp, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF); your gift today will have a larger impact on Camp Wise capital improvements. HGF will give $1 for every $3 you donate to Camp Wise. EARLY BIRD PRICING: Jan 31 • 6:40 pm (13164!) – March 20 (seven weeks, like a full session of camp) • Banquet: $100 per person • Alumni Weekend: $300 per person (includes banquet) AFTER MARCH 21: • Banquet: $131.64 per person • Alumni Weekend: $350 per person (includes banquet)
SOLEL SPONSOR - $5,000 • Event tickets for eight guests • Limited edition Camp Wise shirt and retro logo mug • Recognition in event program • Sponsorship signage for one chug or evening event at the banquet • Shabbat Table for 4 alumni during the 2025 summer (dates must be cleared with CW Staff) NOAR SPONSOR - $2,500 • Event tickets for six guests • Limited edition retro logo mug • Recognition in event program • Sponsorship signage for one chug or evening event at the banquet OHALIM SPONSOR - $1,800 • Event tickets for five guests • Limited edition retro logo mug • Recognition in event program • Sponsorship signage for one chug CHALUTZIM SPONSOR - $1,000 • Event tickets for four guests • Limited edition retro logo mug • Recognition in event program RISHON SPONSOR - $500 • Event tickets for two guests • Limited edition retro logo mug • Recognition in event program COUPLES SPONSOR - $360 • Event tickets for two guests • Recognition in event program
SURVEY SAYS:
RESULTS FROM OUR LATEST ALUMNI FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM POLL:
A night at Camp Wise must have:
Alumni Banquet Committee Members
Alan Semel, Dana Paris, Jessie Bruder, Marty Shankle, Moriah Shtull, Jake Simon, Brian Chessin, Andrea Goldberg, Alye Lipp, Sam Licker, Sarah Senkfor, Harry Zoldan, Debby Gold, Jon Steiger, Gabe Baker, Fred Sternfeld, Kari Exler, Jamie Garber, Harry Morgenstern, and Karin Hess-Hopkins
Camp Fire 44%
Song Sessions 37%
Star Gazing 11%
Be sure to follow us on Instagram or join our Facebook group!
camp wise news | winter 2024 S’mores 8%
August Programs at Camp Wise FAMILY CAMP
FRIDAY, AUG 9 – SUNDAY, AUG 11 Experience what all the kids are raving about! Whether you’re thinking about camp for a future camper, want to relive your camp days or just want a weekend of fun, Family Camp is for you.
REGISTER
WOMEN’S WEEKEND
“I’m tryin’ to tell you something about my life...”
C.I.T.s (Campers in Training) Camp Wise Alum
Future Camper
Date
Abby Kaufman & Molly Smemo
Ruthie Kaufman Smemo
March 5
Megan Garrett Burmeister
Levi Burmeister
March 14
Liz Stein & Matthew Newman
Noa Newman
April 1
Kate & Michael Wallenstein
Callie Wallenstein
April 15
Rachel & Seth Weinstein
Reese Weinstein
April 17
Arielle (Miller) Gurman & Michael Gurman
Mila Gurman
May 9
Rachel (Lipkin) Gleitman & Scott Gleitman
Griffin Gleitman
June 16
Haleigh & Marty Shankle
Owen Shankle
June 28
Jamie Babin & Jose Vazquez
Sam Vazquez-Babin
July 26
Stephanie (Dworkin) & Dean Seitz
Lucas Seitz
Sept. 13
Becky Lord and Ben Stallsmith
Eli Stallsmith
Sept. 18
Amy (Williams) Guy and Jeremy Guy
Lily Clèmentine Guy
Nov. 29
Please let us know when any Camp Wise alumnus welcomes a new baby and we will send them a Future Camper onesie.
FRIDAY, AUG 23 – SUNDAY, AUG 25
REGISTER
Join us for a fabulous weekend that will leave you feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. Enjoy Shabbat, relax at the pool and unplug at Women’s Weekend!
B’nai Mitzvah
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, I SAID WE ARE PROUD OF YOU... UH! When someone at Camp Wise celebrates a big day, we all stand on our benches and cheer about it! Here is a big CW cheer for all those campers, who with their families have celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah since our last newsletter. Please let us know if we’ve missed you and we will include you in our next issue Adam Estrin Alice Levy Asher Haas Avi Zofan Cailey Zelwin Chase Zelwin Dalia Epstein
CAMP CHAI
THURSDAY, AUG 8 – MONDAY, AUG 12 An overnight vacation in the woods for adults with disabilities. Come experience all the fun of Camp Wise and meet new friends!
REGISTER
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camp wise news | winter 2024
Dalia Sukert Elianna Klein Emily Karfeld Emma Saks Gabi Levy Henry Miller Jade Meyer
Jaryn Marcus Jemma Barron Kate McQuade Malcolm McFarland Marc Rosen Mira Geller
Nate Bass Nathan Miller Rebecca Mitchell Sadie Schonfeld Stella Leyser Vivian Buzzard Zoe Newman Zora Kansal
“I Can Hear the Bells...” Michael Goldman & Rabbi Lenette Herzog • April 2023 Ally Zabell & Charlie Erlikh • June 2023 Sydney Ungar & Ben Milgrom • September 2023 Evan Meles & Jackie Mironov • October 2023 Rachel Rzepka & Jesse Schreibman • November 2023 Zach Marlin & Orlea Miller • December 2023
Engagements Sam Baker & Grace Stern Eva Bogomolny & Grant Kaufman Jamie Frayman & David Finkelstein Hannah Frayman & Josh Conison Elana Gloger & Luke Sober
Spring Programs FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER, SCAN THE QR CODES BELOW
NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION AT THE JCC April 10 • 6 pm
IMPACT DAY Sunday, May 5 9 am-noon
NEW FAMILY TOURS Sunday, May 5 noon-4 pm
26001 South Woodland Road Beachwood, Ohio 44122
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