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Jan. 20, 2006
Kafka to lead CSS full-time
The American camp has always had its strong Canadian ties.
KYLE BERGER
Despite the fact that Camp Solomon Schechter (CSS), based in Olympia,
Wash., has a long history of campers and staff who have travelled
from this side of the border to work and play for a summer, the
camp's Canadian ties recently became a lot stronger.
Aaron Kafka, a former camper and CSS counsellor, was recently hired
to be the camp's year-round executive director. And the Richmond-born
and -raised man hopes to use some of his influence to bring even
more Canadian spirit to the popular summer program.
"We've always had good representation of leadership from Richmond,
Vancouver, Victoria or Alberta and I want that to continue or even
grow," Kafka said. "But it is even more important for
Canadian parents to know that Camp Solomon Schechter is the best
place for their children to have a Jewish summer experience."
Kafka's new role wasn't originally intended to be a permanent one
when he was hired as the summer director late last spring. The expectation
was only that he would lead the summer program while the CSS board
searched for a full-time director. However, after a very successful
season with Kafka at the helm, the lay leadership of CSS made him
an offer he couldn't refuse.
"We had such a great summer and I really enjoyed working with
the staff and campers," Kafka said. "I just couldn't pass
up the opportunity to come back to the place where I grew up. Now
I have the chance to make camp what I want it to be and what the
Pacific Northwest wants it to be."
A CSS camper in the 1980s and 1990s, Kafka worked his way through
the ranks of camp staff before trying something different at Camp
Ramah Canada, another Conservative movement camp based in Ontario.
At Ramah, he spent two summers as a unit head and another two as
the camp's program director. While he enjoyed his time at Camp Ramah,
he remained attracted to the unique environment that CSS fosters.
"One thing I have always thought about Solomon Schechter is
that when you come and spend some time at the camp, there is a community
atmosphere that you will never get anywhere else," he said.
"My number one focus is to ensure that this is always what
we have at camp."
Kafka talked about the rich history of CSS, now in its 51st year,
as he recalled some of the current staff who were campers when he
was a counsellor.
"It's great to see that the little kids who were running around
having a good time are now part of the cycle of camp in leadership
roles," he said. "I am a big part of that cycle."
However, Kafka added, a lot has changed at CSS since he was a camper.
The camp has grown considerably over the past five to 10 years,
as cabins have been added and programs developed. Kafka noted that
safety and health care have also made major strides as top priorities
at CSS. He especially emphasized the camp's strong focus on Judaism.
"We believe that the summer camp experience and Conservative
Judaism is something that if a child learns at camp, it will stick
with them for the rest of their life."
Camp Solomon Schechter is broken up into four sessions: Echad, Aleph,
Bet and Gimmel. Each is for different grades. The Oded program,
for counsellors-in-training, is open to registrants entering Grade
11.
For information about CSS programs and events, or to apply to be
an Oded or summer staff, call 206-447-1967 or go online to www.campschechter.org.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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