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Byline: Camp Solomon Schechter

Spark honours Siegels

Spark honours Siegels

Camp Solomon Schechter’s Spark event in Vancouver on May 4 honours the Siegel family’s generational connections to the camp. (photo from campschechter.org)

Once again, Camp Solomon Schechter (CSS) is hosting one of its three annual Schechter Spark events in Vancouver – on May 4, at the Tap & Barrel Bridges location on Granville Island.

The fundraising and community-building events hosted by the camp each year run simultaneously in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland – the camp’s main hub cities. This year’s Schechter Spark will honour three families – one tied to each location – who have generational connections to the camp. In Vancouver, former Beth Tikvah and Beth Israel spiritual leader Rabbi Howard Siegel, Ellen Siegel and their growing family will be celebrated.

Rabbi Siegel, originally from Spokane, Wash., first attended CSS in 1961, when it was located on Whidbey Island. His experiences there led him down a path toward the Conservative rabbinate, a Jewish family and a life of Jewish service that took him to Vancouver, as well as many communities in the United States. In 1968, he convinced his then-girlfriend, Ellen Kushner, to join him as a camp counselor. The couple returned again to CSS in 1970, this time at its new (and current) Tumwater, Wash., location – Howard as educational director and Ellen as camp nurse. 

Ellen Siegel credits the camp for helping her perfect her independence as a health practitioner, while Howard Siegel built his future rabbinate under the mentorship of Portland’s Rabbi Joshua Stampfer and Vancouver’s Rabbi Wilfred Solomon.

The Siegels’ three children also attended CSS and their oldest daughter, Ronit, began her relationship with husband Tadd Berger while they were summer staff together in the 1990s. Naturally, they sent their three children to CSS, and all three have been both campers and staff.

The Seattle and Portland Sparks will recognize the Schiller families and Atkins families, respectively, with more than 500 participants expected to attend between the three locations.

“As we celebrate another year of impact, Spark is a time to honour our past, celebrate our present and invest in our future,” said CSS executive director Zach Duitch. “We look forward to gathering with our beloved community to share stories, laughter and our collective commitment to Jewish camping.”

Camp Solomon Schechter has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in the Pacific Northwest for more than 70 years. Spark endeavours to embody the spirit of camp, bringing its values to life through an evening of joy, generosity and togetherness.

Schechter Spark in Vancouver is a free event with online registration, and will include appetizers, drinks and a few camp-style special presentations. For more information or to register, visit campschechter.org/spark or contact Leah Conley, [email protected]. 

– Courtesy Camp Solomon Schechter

Format ImagePosted on April 25, 2025April 24, 2025Author Camp Solomon SchechterCategories LocalTags Camp Solomon Schechter, Ellen Siegel, fundraising, Howard Siegel, philanthropy, Schechter Spark, summer camp
Where Jewish pride grows

Where Jewish pride grows

Camp Solomon Schechter builds identity and combats antisemitism. (photo from Camp Solomon Schechter)

During Tisha b’Av, a day of mourning and reflection, the entire camp community of Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater, Wash. – 300 campers, ranging from 3rd to 10th graders – gathered in silence at the amphitheatre. A staff member stepped forward, the flicker of torches casting shadows. They asked a question: “Please stand if you have ever encountered antisemitism.” 

Slowly, hesitantly at first, campers began to rise – one by one, then in clusters. Younger campers glanced around, their faces etched with uncertainty, before joining their peers. Staff members, too, stood. Eventually, every camper and every staff member were on their feet. 

The sight was both powerful and heartwrenching. The realization that every single member of our community, even our youngest, had faced antisemitism was a sobering reminder of the challenges our children navigate. It underscored the importance of camp being a safe haven and Camp Solomon Schechter’s mission to empower campers with pride, resilience and an unshakable connection to their Jewish identity. 

“Living as a minority, especially in times when hate seems to be ever growing, camp becomes an oasis of belonging, safety and joy,” said Rabbi Eve Posen of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland, Ore. “The opportunity for children to be immersed in joyful Judaism at camp is a powerful antidote to the antisemitism present in our world today.” 

Antisemitism is not a relic of the past – it is a persistent reality that manifests in subtle and overt ways, from exclusionary rhetoric to acts of violence. As Jewish communities grapple with these challenges, there is a question that arises time and again: how do we equip the next generation to respond to and rise above these threats? One answer lies in Jewish summer camp. 

Camp Solomon Schechter believes camp is more than a summer getaway – it’s a transformative space where Jewish identity is not only celebrated but deeply ingrained. It’s where children and teens connect with their Judaism, form forever friendships and discover the joy of being part of community. These experiences serve as a critical counterweight to the forces of antisemitism by fostering pride, resilience and a sense of belonging.

Proud Jewish identities

Antisemitism seeks to diminish Jewish identity, often targeting individuals and communities by attacking their sense of self-worth and belonging. Schechter counters this by fostering environments where Jewish life is celebrated unapologetically. Imagine a Shabbat at camp: the entire community dressed in white, walking hand in hand to a service that looks out on Lake Stampfer. The melodies of prayers mingle with the natural beauty of the outdoors, creating a sacred space where campers feel deeply connected to their heritage and one another. These moments instil a sense of pride that stays with them long after camp ends.

Whether it’s singing Birkat Hamazon after meals or morning prayers, core tenets like Shabbat, kashrut and tefillah – and the intentionality (kavana) brought to these traditions – the camp cultivates shared values and rituals that form the foundation for lasting friendships and a rich Jewish life. Examples include Maccabiah (team-building through friendly competition), the Oded program (Jewish leadership development) and Havdalah, where the entire community gathers to mark the end of Shabbat with song and light.

The integration of Jewish practice into every activity reinforces the idea that being Jewish is not just about rituals – it’s about community, identity and how we live our daily lives. At Schechter, Jewishness is woven into everything, from discussions about values to hands-on activities like planting Camas bulbs as part of an environmental stewardship program. Playing basketball becomes a Jewish experience because it’s played alongside Jewish friends. Swimming in Lake Stampfer is Jewish because it’s filled with laughter and camaraderie among a community united by shared traditions. Climbing the ropes course is Jewish because it’s about trust, teamwork and overcoming challenges together. Even sitting down for lunch is Jewish because it’s a moment of connection, blessings are recited. 

Through stories, songs and discussions, campers gain a nuanced understanding of Israel beyond the headlines. Hebrew is spoken throughout the day. Programs like the Israeli Scout delegation and daily flag-raising ceremonies, where Hatikvah is sung, help campers develop a connection to Israel while instilling a sense of responsibility to something greater than themselves. 

Cultivating resilience

Camp teaches resilience in ways both subtle and profound. The challenges of a ropes course or the learning a new skill remind campers of their own strength and capability. These lessons are essential when confronting antisemitism, which often tests the emotional and psychological fortitude of young Jews. 

More importantly, camp creates a safe space to address difficult conversations. When global events – like the war in Israel – impact our community, camp becomes a haven where campers and staff can process their feelings and find support. 

Staff bring their own Jewish journeys to Schechter, and campers are surrounded by Jewish role models who inspire them through teaching, leadership and mentorship.

Community bonds 

Antisemitism isolates individuals and communities, attempting to weaken the collective strength of the Jewish people. At Schechter, the opposite happens: connections are built that transcend geography and last a lifetime. Campers come from across the Pacific Northwest, spanning a range of backgrounds and experiences. At camp, these differences dissolve as the kids unite around shared traditions, values and goals. Whether it’s competing in a friendly staff versus camper football game or singing camp parodies around the closing bonfire, the bonds formed at camp are rooted in joy, trust and mutual respect.

These connections don’t just benefit the individuals involved. Camp alumni go on to become leaders in synagogues, schools and other Jewish organizations, bringing the lessons of connection and collaboration they learned at camp into their adult lives. 

At Schechter, we see it every summer: campers and staff return home inspired and proud to be Jewish. Campers leave not only with stronger Jewish identities but with a sense of hope for the future. That hope is our greatest weapon against hate, and it’s what ensures the continuity and vibrancy of our people for generations to come. To support our work, visit campschechter.org/give. 

– Courtesy Camp Solomon Schechter

Format ImagePosted on January 17, 2025January 15, 2025Author Camp Solomon SchechterCategories LocalTags antisemitism, Camp Solomon Schechter, education, identity, Jewish summer camp
Encouraging independence

Encouraging independence

At Camp Solomon Schechter, campers are encouraged to take some risks, embrace imperfection, connect and make new friends, and grow as leaders and good citizens of the world. (photo from Camp Solomon Schechter)

The pandemic and its restrictions on socializing greatly affected kids in particular. Being together at school and at camp gives children the chance to practise being in community and build skills around dialogue, collaboration, connection and identity. Without face-to-face interactions, in-person education and events, physical touch and their relationships, they have struggled to stand up for themselves and build the confidence they need to make their own decisions and truly find out who they are. Especially with how much social media and celebrity culture influence kids to try the latest trends to be part of the in-crowd, many of them are losing their own self-worth and misinterpreting their identities.

As many camps and groups for young people do, Camp Solomon Schechter values each child as an individual, and strives to support their social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth. At Solomon Schechter, campers have the opportunity to practise independence by choosing their own chuggim (activities) and making their cabins their own through spirited chants or personal artwork. Campers can do all of this in a safe, nurturing environment and find their passion to do what makes them happy, whether it’s arts and crafts, sports, nature or musical theatre. Every camper is encouraged to risk a little (but not without guidance and protection from counselors), embrace imperfection, try something new, connect and make new friends, make choices that support their community, and grow as leaders and good citizens of the world.

For summer 2023, Camp Solomon Schechter is making an even greater and more intentional effort to praise perseverance and inspire confidence in our campers to help them discover themselves. All of the programming this summer will be infused with key curricula that will teach campers how to set goals, show love, explore their feelings and emotions, find new activities they can be passionate about, and develop skills they can bring back home and use in life outside of camp.

One of the newest programs, started last summer, was the middot (values) system, which includes values such as compassion, respect and teamwork. This was designed to show campers the 10 values that members of the Camp Solomon Schechter community uphold. Each value corresponds with a coloured bead, and a camper received a bead from a counselor when they displayed one of the 10 values. Each cabin of campers collected their beads in a jar and, once they reached 25 beads, they received an award.

“We’re immensely proud of this program and the campers who displayed these values all throughout the summer. We believe that this program and others are crucial in developing confidence,” said Zach Duitch, Camp Solomon Schechter executive director. “We know that they will treasure these values and take them with them as they grow and begin participating in the community at large. We can’t wait to bring our middot program back to camp this summer and see how our campers have used these values outside of camp.”

– Courtesy Camp Solomon Schechter

Format ImagePosted on December 23, 2022December 22, 2022Author Camp Solomon SchechterCategories LocalTags Camp Solomon Schechter, children, Jewish camp, middot, pandemic, personal growth, summer, values, Zach Duitch
Camp groundbreaking

Camp groundbreaking

From left to right: Andy Kaplowitz, Camp Solomon Schechter vice-president/president elect; Sam Perlin, camp executive director; Sarah Kahn Glass, camp president; Jerry Cohen of the Samis Foundation; and Jay Holzman, leadership donor. (photo from CSS)

On July 10, Camp Solomon Schechter hosted a formal groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of major construction at their facility. From 60 to 120: The Campaign to Build Jewish Continuity is a $12 million multi-year project, beginning this fall, to refurbish the camp’s facilities over the coming years.

But this campaign is about so much more than buildings. “Camp is kids,” said CSS executive director Sam Perlin, but “Schechter is also about adults. That’s because it’s not just a summer experience or a school-years’ experience. As we have found, it’s a lifelong experience.”

The facilities currently host more than 500 campers and staff each summer and are used during the year by the Osprey Camp program, which primarily works with distressed school districts in southwest Washington to provide students with an application of science concepts as they live and learn in the outdoors. It also provides a rental venue for a range of organizations and individuals.

Speakers at the groundbreaking included Sarah Glass, CSS board president; Andy Kaplowitz, CSS board vice-president; representatives of major donors, including Jerry Cohen for the Samis Foundation and Jay Holzman for the Holzman family; Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet; and two CSS campers. Several local officials were in attendance.

Format ImagePosted on July 22, 2016July 19, 2016Author Camp Solomon SchechterCategories LocalTags Camp Solomon Schechter, continuity, groundbreaking, summer camp
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