{"id":43044,"date":"2023-12-15T01:35:40","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T09:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=43044"},"modified":"2023-12-14T19:43:41","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T03:43:41","slug":"more-important-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2023\/12\/15\/more-important-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"More important than ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThis summer, the grounds of Camp Hatikvah will echo with laughter, song, and the spirited expressions of Jewish and Israel pride\u201d: Liza Rozen-Delman, camp executive director. <\/i>(photo from Camp Hatikvah)<\/i><\/p>\n

For decades, Camp Hatikvah has been a cornerstone of the Jewish community, serving as a summer haven where traditions are cherished, friendships blossom and identities are proudly embraced. It has always been more than just a recreational retreat; it has been a powerful catalyst in shaping the future leaders of the Jewish community.<\/p>\n

Developed in the aftermath of the Holocaust, Hatikvah was created to produce proud, happy Jewish youth who were committed to the rebuilding of the Jewish people and a homeland in Israel. As a 1949 article in the Jewish Western Bulletin<\/i> (the predecessor of the Jewish Independent<\/i>) stated, Camp Hatikvah provided early participants with a \u201cplace where they could live and express themselves as Jews, unhampered with fear of others and free from the out-of-place feeling that is so often a part of North American Jewishness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, as we witness a disheartening resurgence of antisemitism, the original mission of Camp Hatikvah seems to be as important as it was at the time of the camp\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe need for a space where children can feel safe, embrace their heritage and express their identity without reservation is, once again, vital\u201d said Liza Rozen-Delman, the camp\u2019s executive director. \u201cI am devastated by the current state of the world, but we are dedicated to rising above it and playing a critical role in combating hate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The camp\u2019s leadership recognizes the need to renew its dedication to its original mandate, emphasizing that, in the face of external threats, the camp becomes not only a refuge but a dynamic force in cultivating resilience and unity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn response to the current crisis, this summer promises to be a rallying point for Jewish pride, a resolute stand against the hate we have seen, and a celebration of every aspect of who we are as a people,\u201d said Joanna Wasel, board president.<\/p>\n

As they begin preparing for summer, Rozen-Delman explained that the camp staff are gearing up to create an immersive experience that fosters a sense of pride, belonging, and love for all things Jewish. Through carefully curated activities and the camaraderie that comes from being part of a supportive community, campers will leave with not just memories of a fun-filled summer but also a strengthened sense of identity.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Kids working on a project at summer camp. (photo from Camp Hatikvah)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Camp Hatikvah also plans to intensify its Israel programming this summer in an effort to empower its campers with a more profound understanding of the Jewish state\u2019s history and culture but, most importantly, its necessity.\u00a0In a world where misinformation and delegitimization about Israel is rampant, Camp Hatikvah is determined to ensure that its campers and staff are equipped to advocate for the right of the Jewish people to live in peace and security in a homeland of their own.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis summer, the grounds of Camp Hatikvah will echo with laughter, song, and the spirited expressions of Jewish and Israel pride,\u201d said Rozen-Delman. \u201cFrom the youngest to the oldest, everyone will be encouraged to stand tall, speak loud, and embrace every aspect of who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The importance of Camp Hatikvah extends beyond the traditional camp experience; it is a cornerstone for fostering resilience, unity, and an unapologetic celebration of one\u2019s identity. Camp Hatikvah continues to play a pivotal role in creating a space where yet another generation of Jewish youth feel not only safe but truly at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 Courtesy Camp Hatikvah<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cThis summer, the grounds of Camp Hatikvah will echo with laughter, song, and the spirited expressions of Jewish and Israel pride\u201d: Liza Rozen-Delman, camp executive director. (photo from Camp Hatikvah) For decades, Camp Hatikvah has been a cornerstone of the Jewish community, serving as a summer haven where traditions are cherished, friendships blossom and identities […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[4389,3076,5914,4330,2087,6153,3753],"class_list":["post-43044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","tag-camp-hatikvah","tag-education","tag-identity","tag-israel","tag-liza-rozen-delman","tag-summer-camp","tag-youth"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43044"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43044\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}