When you send your child to Kalsman, they will make friends that may well last a lifetime. We promise we will provide them with a nurturing and fulfilling experience.
Your child – any child from an interfaith family who is being raised as a Jew – has a place at our camp. For over 30 years, the Reform Movement has been at the forefront of the Jewish world ensuring a welcoming environment for interfaith families and their children. As Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs has stated, “Creating pathways for Jews and non-Jewish partners to create active Jewish homes is a blessing.”
WHAT HAPPENS AT A URJ CAMP? WHAT IS JEWISH LIVING?
Camp is fun! Our campers experience a great atmosphere, great role models, great activates and programs, values not just taught but lived, friendships, and responsible adult role models.
When you entrust your child to our camp, he or she will experience what it is like to live in a completely Jewish environment. This complete absorption into the rhythms and calendar of Jewish living gives each child a fuller appreciation of the richness of their Jewish identity and heritage. They are taught the values of charity, justice and kindness. Experience has shown that they will bring these good values home!
Shabbat is a big event at camp. The entire camp comes together as one on Friday evening for blessings, dinner and song. Campers experience the fullness of a Shabbat celebration both spiritually and culturally.
Each child’s pride in their Jewish identity is nurtured, while respect for those of other beliefs is also strongly encouraged.
WILL MY CHILD FEEL ISOLATED OR DIFFERENT BECAUSE ONE PARENT IS NOT JEWISH?
Not at all. Many of our camp counselors themselves are wonderful products of interfaith marriages. Each child at Camp Kalsman is valued as the unique individual they are, with the wonderful attributes they bring to our community. Each child is recognized as a full member of the Jewish community whether they have one or two Jewish parents.
WILL MY CHILD FEEL EMBARRASSED IF THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO SOMETHING JEWISH?
Kalsman is a place for your child to further their knowledge of Judaism in an experiential way. Every child who comes to camp brings a different skill set and knowledge of Jewish tradition and practice. They learn from us and from their friends at camp. This is a no-stress environment, where learning the levels of Jewish living is an enjoyable and natural progression.
WILL IT BE A PROBLEM IF MY CHILD HAS LIMITED OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF HEBREW?
No problem! They will pick it up at camp in an experiential way. Each child learns some basic Hebrew terms, Hebrew blessings and phrases. They’ll enjoy showing off when they return home.
WHEN MY CHILD RETURNS HOME, WILL They BE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH MY NOT BEING JEWISH?
Remember that many of your child’s counselors have experience with interfaith families – either their own, their relatives or their friends. We teach each child that the Torah mandates to honor thy father and mother. We emphasize to each child that this teaching is not based on the parent being Jewish – the teaching is based on honoring each parent. Your position as the child’s parent will continue to be sacrosanct. We will encourage the respect you are due as a parent, with no regard to your own religious beliefs.