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Greeting from the Board President
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Around 500 B.C.E. the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephasus wrote "You
can never step into the same river, for new waters are always flowing on to you." (he was also the guy who wrote "There is nothing permanent except
change." That Heraclitus was a hoot to have around cocktail parties.)
As Camp Tawonga enters it's 85th year of existence, surrounded by the flowing
waters of the Sierra, I often think about the fact that you can never step into
the same river twice. The camp that our children go to, that we went to,
that our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents attended is ever
changing.
But like a grand touchstone of our lives, it also is remarkably the same.
People who went to Tawonga generations ago smile reflexively when they think
about Reuben's bench, still lovingly embracing an ancient Oak tree by the
swimming pool. Or they remember the comfortable rock formation we call
the Stone Couch, a comfortable sofa of granite that looks out at the
Tuluomne River valley towards Yosemite. Or we remember that river itself,
with a succession of destinations named by Tawongans from the past - Lower Falls, Secret Beach, Ladybug Cove, Rainbow Pools, or the namesake of this newsletter, Pipeline.
And what's more, Camp is reaching out even past our 160 acres in the mountains
to teach our mission to children and families to our community in the Bay Area
and beyond. So even if you can't touch the river physically, we hope the
Pipeline touches you.
Welcome to Tawonga's 85th year - we're mighty glad you're here. Feel
free to reach out to connect back with Camp in whatever way is meaningful to
you -- let us know where you are and what you're doing, check out Tawonga's blog or Twitter information, or call us to learn about exciting new improvements we are
making at Camp.
B'Shalom,
Steve Gershik
Camp Tawonga Board President
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Tawonga's Legacy Society by Richard Grabstein
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Camp Tawonga needs our support now.
Why
and what do I mean?
I
believe deeply in what Camp
Tawonga does for our
children and our community. I want Camp Tawonga
to continue doing this for years and generations to come, to be even stronger and more
financially sound than it already is today. This is why I have become a Legacy Society member by including Camp Tawonga in my estate plans. My gift will mean Camp's staff and board
leadership can focus less on raising needed funds to keep Camp great and more
on keeping Camp great.
For
generations Camp Tawonga has been a home away from home
to kids and young adults. Tawonga has
helped so many of our children and us become our best true selves. Camp has taught our kids and us to be good
friends, to love the natural world and to embrace Jewish community and Jewish
values. The values we've learned include
appreciating our gifts and blessings, learning to contribute to and build
community, and seeing ourselves as being created in God's image. We could hardly ask more for our kids or
ourselves.
Camp Tawonga today is recognized as a leader in so many areas
including: -
Staff training
and development that leads these young professionals to hold themselves to the
highest standards and to care for our kids like the precious individuals they
are
-
A backpacking
and wilderness program that is the envy of camps nation-wide
- A
thoughtfulness and intentionality that informs everything our children
experience and makes a summer at Tawonga truly transformative for so many
Please
be my partner in joining Camp
Tawonga's Legacy Society
and empowering Tawonga to continue its journey from good to great.
In
Jewish tradition we say at the end of a person's life that his or her memory
should be for a blessing. Let us be a
blessing to our children and their children and their children by generously
committing to Camp Tawonga's and our community's future.
If you have already included or plan to include Camp Tawonga in your estate plans, or for
more details about the Camp Tawonga Legacy Society, please email or call Adam
Weisberg at adam@tawonga.org or (415)
543-2267.
Thank
you.
Richard Grabstein
Past Camp Parent and Board Member
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Calling all Alumni
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 Reconnect with Tawonga
In honor of Camp Tawonga's 85th anniversary, we're reaching out to our alumni, young and old, to reconnect with us. We'd love to get updated contact information so that we can stay in touch with all those who have been a part of our 85 years.
Tell your Tawonga story
We're collecting your stories! Tell us about how Camp Tawonga shaped you, changed you, helped you, or affected you. Do you have a favorite story about your time at Camp Tawonga? Did you meet your partner at Camp Tawonga? Are you raising children with lessons you learned from Camp Tawonga? Tell us! We want to know.
Join the Camp Tawonga Alumni Network
 Did you know Camp Tawonga has an active alumni network? Our Alumni Yahoo! Group has over 500 members and is a great way to find old friends, share information, and more. Sign up today!
Click here to update your contact information
and/or tell your Camp Tawonga story. |
Bring Camp Tawonga into your daily life
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Create A Tawonga Havurah Group in your community
 Gather friends, family, and
community members as a group that meets regularly to converse, learn, celebrate,
travel, or whatever else you're moved to do! You form the group, and we'll
provide you with Tawonga materials (Shabbat blessings, song sheets, games, etc.)
and connections to the larger Tawonga community (workshop leaders, staff, etc.)
to get you started.
We'll send you a starter packet around some of the most celebrated Jewish holidays - a great way to keep Tawonga alive in your life all year long.
Host an Information Session in your living room
Do you have a child old enough to go to Tawonga but you're not sure if now is the right time? Have other friends and family who might be interested in sending their children to camp, but want to know more first?
Bring
five
families or more to your home for a Tawonga presentation/meet and greet
and and we'll send a director or other year-round staff member to your
house to help introduce your friends to the magic of Camp
Tawonga.
For more information about any of these opportunities, contact Assistant Director of Administration, Ryley Katz (ryley@tawonga.org, 415.543.2267 ext. 114).
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Community Events and Announcements
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Friday
Night Spirit Services at Sha'ar Zahav
Friday, March 19th - 5:45-7:45pm
Sha'ar Zahav, 290 Dolores Street (at 16th Street), San Francisco
Celebrate
with Shabbat with song, food and fun! Join Deborah Newbrun, Isaac Zones, Daniel
Meyer O'Keefe, and Brady Gill at a service for 1st - 7th graders and their
families. All are welcome! RSVP to fns@shaarzahav.org.
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JCC Maccabi ArtsFest
August 8-13
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is an arts experience for Jewish teens taking place in
San Rafael from Sunday August 8 to Friday August 13. It includes home
hospitality, opening and closing events, workshops, performances, exhibits,
community service, and social activities, while strengthening bonds to Jewish
heritage, community and Israel.
There are five ways to be involved with JCC
Maccabi ArtsFest: participate (Jewish teens entering 8th-12th grade), become a
host for visiting teens, volunteer now and/or during the program, sponsor or
donate, and watch the final performance. For more information about becoming
involved with JCC Maccabi ArtsFest, contact Celina at 415-444-8166/
ctousignant@marinjcc.org.
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JCCSF Summer Camps
You'll Love How Much They Love It!
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
3200 California Street, San Francisco
Piece together your summer with Camp Tawonga
and your favorite camps and exciting new adventures at the JCCSF:
Kochav Camps (Grades K - 5): Enjoy Jewish camp traditions,
swimming, sports, art, music, drama, field trips and more.
Sports Camps & Clinics (Grades 1 - 6): Develop core skills, technique
and teamwork.
Specialty Camps (Grades 1 - 6): Explore specific interests from
gymnastics to cooking to musical theater.
Preteen & Teen Programs: Don't miss excursions to southern California,
outdoor adventures and more.
Register today! 415.292.1265 ยท
www.jccsf.org/summercamps
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BBYO Community Events
BBYO and Teen Connection are partnering with
the JCC of the East Bay for two community events in March! Join us for a
catered vegetarian Shabbat dinner on March 19th. Bring the whole
family! BBYO teens will lead some prayers and programs for families and
the JCC will provide childcare supervision for the very young. Dinner and
programming will last from 6-8:00pm.
Come back that Sunday, March 21st for
the B'nai Mitzvah Vendor Fair! Do you have a simcha coming up?
We're showcasing photographers, caterers, entertainers, and more. Stop by
anytime from 1-4:00pm. Both events will take place at the JCC East Bay,
1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley. For more information on either of these
events, e-mail lmorse@bbyo.org. For more information about BBYO and Teen
Connection check out www.bbyo.org and www.b-linked.org.
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Jewish Community High School
High School Preview for 7th Grade Families
Wednesday, April 21
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The JCHS High School Preview is a unique
program aimed at easing your concerns about the high school admissions process.
Parents:
Get expert advice on choosing the right
school, affordability options, and preparing for college.
Students:
Experience science labs, visual and
performing arts, and a student-led tour.
Call the Admissions Office at 415.345.9777
x124 or email grachelson@jchsothebay.org to reserve your spot.
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