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MOVING CAMPS FORWARD.
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March has been the month of camp conferences with the American Camp Association's TriState Conference and the Foundation For Jewish Camp's Leaders Assembly. Team Mosh was well represented at both conferences and we took full advantage of all of the learning and networking opportunities. We were also excited to reflect, share and grow with our Habonim Dror colleagues and lay leaders at the Habonim Dror Camp Association Kennes.
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Sarah Zebo (future Mazkira Tnua), Kali Silverman (Mazkira Tnua), David Broza, Sharon Waimburg (ED of Camp Galil), Jen Silber (ED of Camp Mosh), Brittany Abramowitz (Outreach Manager, Camp Tavor).
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Camp conferences afford the opportunity for camp professionals to learn from experts in the field and from each other. This year, we had the chance to hone our skills in the areas of camper and parent engagement and fundraising. But the theme that emerged as the "Hot Topic" in the field of camping this year, was Inclusion.
We know that for many children, camp is a place that they feel self-confident and accepted. And, yet there are many camp communities that struggle to help children of all abilities, religions, races, income levels and gender identities feel included in all aspects of camp.
There are two key beliefs that are the underpinnings of creating an inclusive community: Everyone can participate. Everyone can belong. A great deal of work goes into creating a space where everyone can participate and can belong. These beliefs are also reflected in the Jewish value of: Shivyon erech h'adam. The equality of human value.
At Mosh, we work each summer to create a camp community in which every camper can express his or her best self. This is a work in progress and there is always room to grow and to open to new possibilities. This summer we will add a new position to our staff - Melaveh/Melavah. The exact translation is to accompany but in the context of a youth summer camp, this person will be our Inclusion Specialist. S/he will work with campers and staff to ensure that campers with diverse needs will be fully integrated and successful in our community. S/he will work with staff to make sure that campers who need additional support and accommodations are getting their needs met. Joining together with other Jewish camping professionals is exciting and invigorating. And, since we are summer camps, we also have fun when we get together! Thank you to the Foundation for Jewish Camps for an evening of music and song with David Broza - whose grandfather, Wesley Aron, founded Habonim in England. Check it out!
 | | David Broza's Habonim connection |
B'Shalom,
Jen
Jennifer B. Silber Executive Director Habonim Dror Camp Moshava |
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MERAKEZET CHINUCH (EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR) 2014.
LILY SIERADZKI.
What year did you first go to Mosh?
I started at Mosh in 2006, when I was in Solelim. I started going because I had just stopped going to Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and started attending public school, so my parents wanted me to continue my Jewish education.
What did Mosh mean to you as a camper?
My first two summers, I was really quiet and shy, mostly walking around camp reading my book. I think being at Mosh, and particularly the friendships I made within my kvutsah (age group), was instrumental in getting me to come out of my shell. I gained a lot of self-confidence at camp. Although the first few summers were definitely hard for me socially, I always wanted to come back, because of my friends and just the welcoming, family-like atmosphere of machane.
As I got older at camp, I began to realize how special and unique Mosh is as a community and how much I valued it in my life. I began to understand how deep and meaningful the relationships I formed with my peers and my madrichim were both at camp and throughout the school year. I started to think about how to take the values I'd learned of social justice, equality and strong Jewish identity in connection to Israel and apply them to my life.
How many years have you worked at Mosh? What tafkidim have you had at Mosh and in Habonim?
This will be my fourth summer working at Mosh. I have worked as a madricha (counselor) for four sessions, and as Communications Specialist last summer second session. In the movement, I was Rosh of Ken Chowda (the Boston ken) last year and this past fall. I also staffed East Coast Mifgash last spring.
What are your priorities for Mosh 2014?
To have an incredible summer! I want to make sure that all the chanichim (campers) and tzevet (staff) are healthy, happy and learning from each other as much as possible. As Chinuch (Educational Director), one of my biggest goals is for everyone to really understand how much of camp is informed by the movement's values and ideals, and how much of what we do is intentional. I want to continue to improve our Israel and Hebrew education, find new and creative ways to practice our Judaism, and incorporate different spaces around camp like the new activities field and the gan (garden) in interactive ways.
When you were a camper or madrich, which Rosh/mazkirut member/madrich/a had the most influence on who you are today and why?
Bria Gray and Avi Edelman were both my madrichim for several summers as a camper, as well as mazkirut members when I was on tzevet. They both continue to be involved in my life now - we talk regularly and see each other when we're home. I definitely think of them as people who have guided me in the process of becoming who I am. They've seen me grow and change so much over the years, and I've had so many important and formative conversations with them about Mosh, the movement and my life.
Where do you go to school, what is your major and when will you graduate?
I'm a junior at Tufts University, but currently studying abroad in Prague with an NYU program for the spring semester. I'm majoring in English and minoring in Communications and Media Studies.
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REGISTRATION UPDATES.
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 Summer 2014 is only three months away and we are working hard to plan another great summer. If you haven't registered yet, now is the time.
- Limited spaces left in the Nitzanim program for 2014.
- Last tuition payment is due April 1st.
- Medical Forms are due May 1st.
Register today to reserve a space for your camper!
Just click here to login to Camp Minder and register on-line today!
Dates
First Session: June 23 - July 20, Visitor's Day, July 6
Intersession: July 20 and 21
Second Session: July 22 - August 10, Visitor's Day, August 3
For Dates and Rates, click HERE.
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MA KOREH BA'EIZOR?
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE EIZOR?
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While Winter carried on, so did the Mosh Ken! On March 16th, we celebrated Purim with our annual Mosh Madness Purim Party!
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Purim Shpiel!!
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 | | Great costumes!! |
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We hope you can join us at our upcoming events in the Eizor!
April 4-6 East Coast Mifgash Camp Galil
April 25-27 Spring Overnight Camp Moshava
April 26, 7pm Ameinu program for Mosh Parents
May 4th Yom Ha'atzmaut Event
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MOSH FAMILY CAMP!
AUGUST 2014.
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Registration is underway for Family Camp! You and your family are invited to enjoy a weekend at camp - celebrating Shabbat Mosh-style with Kabbalat Shabbat, Rikud (Israeli folk dancing), playing gaga, hiking, swimming, Musicale and singing around the Medurah (campfire).
WHEN: August 15 - August 17
WHERE: Habonim Dror Camp Moshava
WHO: Families with kids.
TUITION: $100/adult; $60/child;
children 2 and under are free;
$330 Family Max*
*Tuition includes food, accommodations, t-shirt and all program costs. Scholarships available.
Enjoy the beauty and magic of Mosh with your family this summer!
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MOSH ALUMNI.
FOCUS ON ESTHER LEDERMAN.
 | | Rabbi Esther Lederman, Rosh Mosh 1996 |
What years did you go to Mosh?
I was Rosh Mosh in 1996. Growing up, I was a camper at Habonim Dror Camp Gesher in Ontario, Canada.
What MB, KM, workshop were you?
I was on MB 1990 and Workshop 41. At Gesher we had a program called SHK instead of KMBet. SHK stood for Seminar Hadracha B'Kibbutz. It was a six week trip to Israel, in some ways the precursor to MBI. It was 3 weeks on a kibbutz and three weeks travelling the country.
What years did you work at Mosh or in Habonim Dror?
I worked as a madricha at Gesher the summers of 1991, 1993, and 1994, when I was Merakezet Chinuch. 1995 I was on staff for MBI and by 1996 at Mosh!
What was your favorite chug?
Rikud - I love Rikud!
Where did you go to college?
McGill University
What did you study?
Political science and middle eastern studies.
Where do you live now?
Virginia, but shhhh, don't tell anyone
What do you do for work?
I am a Rabbi at Temple Micah in Washington DC.
What did Mosh mean to you when you were a chanich/a?
It's very hard to summarize what Habonim meant to be in my youth in a few short sentences. It meant everything to me, I guess. It was where Judaism became a daily lived experience. It was where I really understood what Shabbat was meant to feel like. It gave me my first political awakenings. Friendships that have lasted till today.
If you could go back to Mosh for a day, what is the one thing you would want to do most?
Rikud!
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KOL HA'KAVOD SARAI PRESMAN.
KEEPING TEENS ENGAGED IN ISRAEL. |
Recently, I participated in the inaugural class of the Israel Engagement Fellowship program. I was one of 22 high school students nominated by their schlichim (emissaries from Israel to our community) or rabbis to learn how to be an advocate for Israel now and in college. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington put on the program.
The participants were from public and private schools in Maryland, the District and Virginia, and from a wide range of youth movements; every denomination-Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox-was represented. I was nominated by Efrat Indig, the shlicha to Habonim Dror Camp Moshava, which is the camp/youth movement I belong to.
 For four Wednesdays, we examined the relationship our Jewish community has with the State of Israel, learned how to be a savvy consumer of media and information on the Middle East, developed presentation, advocacy and social media skills and learned about how to be pro-Israel on college campuses and beyond.
We discussed how to combat anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric, the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement that is in the news right now and other arguments we may be confronted with in college. By the way, the answer is to use the truth. Can't go wrong with that.
For the final meeting, we went with our families to the Israeli Embassy in Washington. We broke into groups and did an exercise in which we had to create an educational but fun program about Israel for different ages, which we then presented to the audience. Sol Glassner, co-chair of the Federation's Israel Engagement Committee, JCRC Executive Director Ron Halber and Josh Hantman, personal advisor to Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer, spoke. Also, Lauren Pollack, a student from The George Washington University, talked to us about the Student Alliance for Israel organization she is president of on campus.
The weekly activities at the JCC were led by Noa Meir, director of Israel Action Center and International Affairs of the JCRC; Pnina Agenyahu, who is the Senior Shlicha for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington; and Alexis Schwartz, Program Associate with the Israel Action Center. The IEF (and the kosher dinners) was completely sponsored by a grant from Margo and Yoram Cohen.
I went to Israel last summer on Habonim Dror's Machane b'Yisrael program and it was the best experience I have had in my life (so far). The IEF program was thought-provoking and I know it will be useful to me to help explain and defend my beliefs. I am glad I was chosen to participate.
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IN THE COMMUNITY.
 INTERFAITH REFUGEE SEDER
WHEN: Wednesday, April 9 2014, 5:30-7:30 pm
WHERE: Outside of the Israeli Embassy
3514 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC
(Van Ness-UDC Metro Stop)
Kindly RSVP at http://www.truah.org/refugeeseder
Rain or Shine! (Rain location is nearby).
Passover celebrates the ancient Israelite exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the land of Israel. At the festive Passover meal (the seder), Jews are instructed to tell the story of this journey and identify with it as though "we ourselves went forth from Egypt."
Since 2007, Israelis and African asylum seekers have come together for an annual Refugee Seder in Tel Aviv where they honor both the ancient and modern exoduses.
This year, an interfaith Refugee Seder will also be held in Washington, DC. We will celebrate freedom and show our solidarity with the more than 50,000 people who escaped war, violence, or persecution in their home countries and are seeking protection in Israel.
How is this night different from all other nights?
- We will come together, as members of different communities, to learn from each others' exodus stories.
- We will bring attention to the plight of asylum seekers in Israel who are facing indefinite detention and pressure to self-deport.
- We will send universal messages of peace and hope to asylum seekers in Israel.
- We will strengthen our resolve to advocate for asylum seeker and refugee rights.
Please bring a picnic blanket.
Note: A full meal will not be served at this event.
Questions? Please contact Anna Rose Siegel at 443-629-4480.
Refugee Seder cosponsored by: T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Right Now: Advocates for African Asylum Seekers in Israel, Partners for Progressive Israel, Ameiu, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Hashomer Hatzair North America, Habonim Dror North America, Act for Sudan, and Darfur Interfaith Network.
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