Lounging on the beach and ziplining through tropical forests aren’t the only ways to have fun and interesting summer days. For some in Jewish Tidewater, it’s incorporating something Jewish into a trip, camp, or activity. Here, we highlight a few such ‘Jewish Summers’ or ‘Jewish Moments.’ The stories are as diverse as the writers’ ages and offer all sorts of Jewish experiences to consider . . . if not this summer, perhaps next!
Thanks to Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I studied during a gap year at Ruach Hanegev, located in the village of Retamim in the south of Israel.
Learning occurred early in the morning or late at night, but education through hiking was the best part. We visited Shiloh, Ben Gurion’s tomb, and the location where David fought Goliath. Each of these excursions took us through deserts, riverbanks, mountains, and countless springs. During our first hike, we learned about the founding of Israel and Ben Gurion’s hopes and dreams for this new country. The views and lessons were priceless, from navigation to Tanach and Navi.
We were encouraged to find our own museums and tiyuls (journeys) as well as to assimilate in the Israeli society. Perhaps that is what prompted me to take the next step – one that even I hadn’t seen coming.
When I came here, I did not want this land. I figured I would enjoy one year in Israel and then return to America and settle down. However, one class encouraged us to make Aliyah, and here I am, writing from Israel. I spent about six months working on Aliyah and, now I am close to enlisting in the IDF. This is a future I would never have dreamed of just one year ago, nor am I alone. A classmate finished Aliyah the same day as I did.
Making Aliyah does not mean feeling less loyal to my home country. I still preach the constitution and raise the American flag, as I always will. The camp leader agrees with my ideology, as do most of my teachers. While I can’t remember what brought me here, things happen and don’t go as planned. None of them would have been possible if not for Ruach Hanegev.
There are only a few experiences in life that can change one for the better, and summer camp to me is one of those experiences. After starting as a young camper, I’m now in my 11th summer at Capital Camps, working as the aquatics coordinator. To say that camp has made my life better is an understatement. The memories and relationships made here will last a lifetime. It’s brought me closer to Judaism and allowed me to bring my shared experiences to and from home in Virginia Beach.
From being a young camper going out of my comfort zone to make friends, to being a leader and role model for both staff and campers, it has been the experience of a lifetime. I’ve had an amazing summer and feel everything has come full circle. Watching the campers do all those things I did so many years ago has been truly inspirational.
I can’t wait to see our younger generations experience the magic of summer camp.
Finally. Alyson (Morrissey) and I have our first chunk of free time in Italy –on a record setting hot day.
After studying our map over savory gnocchi and chianti, we had a plan of attack. The place farthest away was the Florence synagogue. Fifteen minutes, we were told. To our tour guide, everything was 15 minutes away. When we spied Ruth’s Deli, however, we knew we were on the right track.
To say I was overwhelmed by the synagogue would be an understatement. From the cathedral-like grandeur of the facade and main sanctuary to the painted walls and old stained-glass windows, it took my breath away.
The upper floors house a museum, where we examined old Sephardic torah dressings, sedar plates, and other miscellaneous artifacts.
Florence’s Jews once held a position of prominence, with the Medici showing them much favor, treating them fairly and with respect. During the Holocaust, as the Nazis fled Florence, they planted explosives in various places around the synagogue. Fortunately, they were in quite a hurry; when detonated, many of the explosives failed to fire.
The Florence synagogue will stand proudly for many generations to come. A symbol of Jewish tenacity, perhaps?
Fun fact: we also learned that the locals generally agree that the best restaurants in Rome are in the Jewish Quarter.
My visit to Israel in July was filled with joy, compassion, love, support, and thankfulness. I arrived on a Monday afternoon. The first thing I did was meet with my sister, Ganit, who is fighting cancer for the third time. It’s hard to believe that I participated in the funeral and shiva of my mother less than a year ago. My sister is a very strong young woman, a mensch like our mother. Ganit is and has always been a role model and rock for me. As soon as my plane landed, she texted me, “Welcome Home!” Home is many things at many different times in our lives. It is often stated that “Home is where the heart is.” Right now, Home is Ganit. It broke my heart leaving her. Thank you, Ganit for being such a great sister.
My best friend, Roi, said he would be on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv participating in the rally against the Judicial Reform in Israel. I walked 45 minutes to meet him there. We spoke a lot about the future of the Jewish people in the State of Israel and how this will affect our lives as Jews in the diaspora. It was a powerful rally and a great discussion. As I marched in solidarity to support and defend the democracy of Israel, I felt connected to Jews around the world. This is not just the fight of Israelis; this is our fight as American Jews to be recognized by the State of Israel as Jews. We have a voice, and it needs to always be heard. It’s a small Jewish world, after all.
On Saturday night at the end of Shabbat, we had a Havdalah service in the streets with the rabbi and congregants of Beit Daniel, a Progressive Synagogue on the Yarkon River. After this, I thought and declared that we of Tidewater should have a community trip to Israel.
I understand now why more and more people in Israel are looking towards other religious alternatives. Often, they don’t know there are other religious options other than Orthodoxy, so they move to the other extreme, and become completely secular. We know this, and therefore we will keep evolving and moving forward. This is the path of Jewish survival. The Jewish people cannot connect to Judaism without change and involvement. Growth is change, and change is growth. Often growing includes growing pains.
It was nice to see my extended family and friends, but it was sad to see Israel as a divided country.
A rabbi is always a rabbi, even on vacation :)
L’Shana Haba’ah B’Yerushalayim “Next year in Jerusalem.”
This summer I spent two weeks away at Sababa Beachaway, which like the name suggests, is a camp focused on ocean activities. My favorite part of the experience was getting my open-water
SCUBA certification. I can now dive anywhere in the world, but I can always take more classes here at the Lynnhaven Dive Center where we learned. Sababa also offered many different electives when we weren’t in the water, like ultimate frisbee and tennis.
After a busy week, we celebrated Shabbat together in a way that was both laid back and traditional at the same time. There are not many Jewish kids at my school, so it was very special to meet so many Jewish kids from all over the country, the world, and from lots of Jewish backgrounds. No matter where we were from, we became a close-knit community at Sababa.
Iwent to Camp Sababa this summer.
The first thing I did was Ocean Discovery. We would go to the beach and play. One day I was walking back to shore and heard dolphin noises, so I turned around and there was a dolphin! The second thing I did was surfing. I started in beginner on the first day then moved up to intermediate, which was so much fun because we got to go farther out, but your instructor would still help you. There was also a talent show!
That’s why I had a great summer at Camp Sababa.
This summer in Tel Aviv was an unforgettable experience for me. I had the incredible opportunity to live in Sarona, a vibrant neighborhood near the bustling business district –surrounded by a diverse group of college students from various parts of the world. Our apartment was strategically located, just a 20-minute walk from the beautiful beach where we often gathered to unwind and enjoy the sunsets. Living with such a mixed group of individuals provided a unique cultural exchange, enabling us to form a tight-knit community, sharing our backgrounds and experiences while exploring the wonders of Israel together.
The company in Tel Aviv I interned for operated on an international scale. The internship was an eye-opening journey, teaching me valuable lessons in adapting to different cultures within a business setting and allowing me to develop both professionally and personally.
What made my time even more special were the people I met. I connected with fellow interns who shared similar mindsets and passions, resulting in friendships that will undoubtedly stay with me for a lifetime. Moreover, I had the privilege of engaging with Israelis who offered insights into their way of life, which differed significantly from the USA. This cross-cultural exchange broadened my perspectives and enriched my understanding of the world.
Born in Dvinsk, Russia (now Daugarpils, Latvia) during the 1860s, our great grandparents, Heshel (Harry) Stein and Ida (Sarah) Gelman, married and then immigrated to the United States, settling in Norfolk.
At the start of the 20th century, Norfolk was the economic hub of Hampton Roads, thus the families set their roots near downtown – mostly in the Ghent area – pursuing mercantile trades.
On Sunday, July 23, 163 years after Heshel and Ida Stein began their life together, a family reunion was organized by David Konikoff, Lisa Stein Delevie, Alice Laibstain Werner, and Linda Laibstain. About 100 relatives attended.
The Stein family branches include Robbins, Laibstain, Adler, and Fleder, with the next generation names being Konikoff, Wainger, Gamsey, Silverman, Karp, Ossen, Feldman, Fischer, Donn, Golding, and Cohen. Of course, there are more current generations with 29 new surnames and more added each year. In fact, the youngest to attend
the reunion was eight-month-old Samuel Kahn. The energy level was high with stories and anecdotes shared throughout the gathering before heading indoors to air conditioning and a delicious buffet dinner.
In early July, Bill and I visited the Jewish Quarter in Rome with Laura, a fabulous Jewish guide (Jews Travel Rome info@Jewstravelrome. com). It was fascinating to learn about the history of Roman Jews. Formerly known as the Jewish Ghetto, with its high walls and two gates, much of the area remains as it was in ancient times.
We visited The Jewish Museum, which had an extraordinary collection of Jewish artifacts and tapestries that were handmade from torah covers. Located above the museum, a daily minyan takes place in the Jewish Synagogue. The women are separated from the men and Jews of all persuasions, Orthodox, Conservative and Reform all worship together as Roman Jews. B’nai Mitzvahs and weddings are held regularly in the synagogue.
We sampled “Pizze,” Jewish Pizza – a combination of almond flour, nuts, raisins, and candied fruit – fried and dripping with honey. While delicious, it was very different from American pizza. We purchased pieces of chocolate and cherry cheesecake from The Little Bakery. The cake is covered with a browned crust to hide the cheese because the Jews were forbidden to have and eat cheese. Our guide was instrumental in getting us the cake as the ladies who run the bakery, speaking only Italian, are known to rush a customer in and out.
When in Rome, we highly suggest a visit to the Jewish Quarter to experience the sense of pride Roman Jews have.
With a few friends in July, I ran a Jewish day camp at B’nai Israel, through Project SEED. The children came to camp every morning with excitement in their eyes.
We took the campers on fun trips and did crafts and had weekly Brachos parties through which we taught the children about thanking Hashem for what they’re eating, parsha skits about the weekly Torah portion, and Kabbalas Shabbos get-togethers every Friday night, when we prayed, played games, told stories, and sang.
We also led weekly women’s events, giving them the chance to get to know each other through activities and food, creating a sense of camaraderie with women from different backgrounds. We got so much positive feedback on the difference we had made in the parents’ and children’s summers. In all my years of attending or working in day camps, this has probably been my most enjoyable, impactful, and unforgettable summer ever!
