Sam Bernofsky paid tribute to Leah Levi, who retired after 17 years as camp registrar, in 2023, but continues her involvement as bookkeeper and keeper of institutional memory. She received an ovation and video-recorded greetings from alumni and friends.<\/p>\n
Trilby Smith and Kelley Korbin honoured Bernie Simpson who, among other contributions, has ensured that camperships are available for all who need them, guaranteeing that finances are never a barrier to participation. Simpson also nurtured relationships with non-Jewish supporters of the camp, including former BC Supreme Court Justice Angelo Branca, and former Speaker of the House of Commons John Fraser, both now deceased. Through fundraising and personal contributions, Simpson is credited with playing a core role in every capital project the camp has completed in recent decades. He is also Camp Miriam\u2019s unofficial historian and archivist.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the Independent<\/i>, Simpson credited Camp Miriam (along with his wife, Lee) for every success in his life, including his time as a member of the BC legislature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt means everything to me,\u201d Simpson said of the camp, which he began attending in the mid-1950s. \u201cIt probably shaped my whole life. The Habonim leadership at that time, which was the camp leadership, took me under their wing. I came from quite a disturbed home and they had lots of patience for me and they ended up being my life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey had time for a shmuck like me,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was remarkable. But I\u2019m not the only person.\u201d<\/p>\n Alan Tuffs was being physically abused in his home, Simpson said. The head of the Jewish welfare agency, Jessie Allman, called Simpson up and asked if Camp Miriam would \u201ctake this boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Tuffs went on to study Judaism in Israel and recently retired as a rabbi in Hollywood, Fla., after 45 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Shalom Preker was another Miriam success story, according to Simpson, having overcome challenges to become a PhD and a global expert in health financing. Preker has served in senior roles at the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, focused on the health sector in developing countries.<\/p>\n Pioneers of the movement \u2013 often kids themselves at the time \u2013 were remembered throughout the evening. Michael Livni, n\u00e9 Langer, spearheaded the purchase of the camp on Gabriola Island. As a teenager, Langer\/Livni\u00a0<\/span>cajoled philanthropists to front the money to purchase the camp\u2019s site from the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, precursor to the New Democratic Party, in 1956.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Until then, Habonim had rented camps for summer programming, and ran youth programs in Vancouver throughout the year. Livni, who made aliyah and went on to be a leading figure in both Reform Zionism and the kibbutz movement in Israel, died this year at age 89.<\/p>\n Simpson credited the late Army & Navy department store founder Sam Cohen, as well as the late Ben and Esther Dayson and the late Norman Rothstein as benefactors who set the foundation for Camp Miriam\u2019s long-term sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The anniversary event featured a display of the camp over the decades and pioneers, living and departed, were celebrated. Camp \u201cmatriarch\u201d Gloria Levi was on hand, and the movement\u2019s leaders of the past and present shared memories.<\/p>\n Miriam alumni Michael Schwartz emceed the evening, provided a moving reflection on the impacts of Oct. 7 on the Habonim community, and recalled his own memories of camp.<\/p>\n \u201cI got to experience moments I will never forget,\u201d Schwartz said, including the staging of a \u201cshow trial\u201d of the Little Mermaid. \u201cThrough all these experiences \u2013 some absurd, yes \u2013 Miriam taught me some of life\u2019s most important lessons. It taught me about the so-called big, important things, like history and justice, political philosophy, but it also taught me about the truly important things, like teamwork, leadership, friendship and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n Jay Eidelman, the camp\u2019s new director of fundraising and strategic planning, said that next summer\u2019s enrolment will be a record 360, with a waiting list of others who want to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s 5% more than last year, which was also a record enrolment,\u201d he said. \u201cOur retention rate is an astounding 90%.\u201d<\/p>\n Especially in this time of rising antisemitism, Eidelman said, Jewish kids need safe spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMiriam is that space and for many of our campers,\u201d he said. \u201cMiriam is the only place where they can explore their Jewish identities, their relationship to Israel and their relationship to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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