|
Give a child the gift of camp
| |
This Hanukkah season, give the gift of camp to a child in need.
Click here.
|
|
|
Registration for 2012 programs is open!
| |
Sign up today for the summer of a lifetime! Registration is open for all 2012 programs. Whether it's a Taste of Camp, Teen Service Learning, or family camp, there's a space for you!
For more information about 2012 programs and to register, click here.
|
|
|
Alumni Updates
| 
|
Emilie Olivia Gill, daughter of Tawonga alums Jordan & Shira Gill, was born on July 20. Maesie June Kaan, daughter of Tawonga alums Nina Kaufman Kaan and Dan Kaplan Kaan, was born on July 28.
We love hearing alumni stories! Send your own alumni update to ryley@tawonga.org.
|
|
Follow Us Online
| |
Did you know Camp Tawonga has a Facebook page and sends tweets?
Follow us online:
| |
And, check out Tawonga's special Hanukkah videos on our Facebook page each day of Hanukkah!
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm Thankful, therefore I Give.
| |
I am so grateful for all the blessings Camp Tawonga has given me and my family. From meeting my wife Felicia at camp in 1982, to raising our three children, to all the wonderful friendships that enrich my life today. That is why my most generous charitable gift this year will be to Tawonga's "Gift of Camp" fund. This year Camp Tawonga gave out an unprecedented half million dollars in financial aid for children to come to camp. We expect that even more children will need assistance next summer, and we urge every Tawongan to help us provide camperships for these deserving kids.
Please join me and reflect on how Tawonga has blessed you. Then let that feeling of gratitude evolve into acts of loving kindness.
One of my favorite campfire stories is about the dad and the daughter walking on the beach, and the daughter asks why he is tossing a starfish back into the sea: "There are so many-how could it make a difference?" And the dad says, "It makes a difference to THAT one."
Please take this final opportunity of the year to add your gift. For one lucky child, it will make all the difference. Donate now.
With love and best wishes for a happy Hanukkah and a healthy new year,
Ken Kramarz
Executive Director
President's End of Year Message
from Steve Gershik
This has been a year of great accomplishments for Camp Tawonga. In 2011, we served more children than ever before and gave them the highest quality programs and staff. We invested a million dollars in our beautiful property on the Tuolumne River, including a brand new kitchen to make sure that every child gets plenty of delicious, wholesome food. And we solidified our senior staff by establishing a long-term leadership team of Ken Kramarz and Jamie Simon as Executive Director and Camp Director respectively.
What's more, we are on a path to even greater accomplishments in the future. The Board and Staff are already looking at ways to bring more Tawonga into the world. We have begun to envision "Tawonga at 100", and will soon develop strategic plans to get us there.
On behalf of all the generations of Tawongans who-since 1925-have helped create our unique blend of nature, friendship and Judaism, I invite you to join us in the amazing continuing adventure of Camp Tawonga.
|
Join us: Tawonga-style Havdalah & Peter Yarrow
(of Peter, Paul and Mary)
at the JCC of San FranciscoSaturday, January 28th at 8pm
|
Do you remember the first time you heard "Puff the Magic  Dragon," "Day is Done" or "The Great Mandala"? Anthems of the Civil Rights and peace movements, the songs of Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) are woven into the fabric of the American experience. Don't miss this preeminent artist, activist, outspoken advocate for children and unflagging believer in the power of finding one's own voice and blending it with others for social change. SPECIAL CAMP TAWONGA DISCOUNT ON TICKETS All tickets are $25, saving you up to 50% off the public rate. Whether ordering online or through the JCCSF Box Office, simply use the promo code PUFF25 to receive your discount. Purchase Tickets Today! www.jccsf.org/arts JCCSF Box Office: 415.292.1233 CAMP TAWONGA NIGHT AT THE JCCSF 7:00 pm Fisher Family Hall Camp Tawonga joins with the JCCSF to bring you a special Tawonga-style Havdalah, featuring Isaac Zones! Bring your friends & family and meet other Tawongans at our Havdalah celebration before the concert. |
|
Recap: Gratitude Shabbat & Camp Reunion
| |
This Thanksgiving, Camp Tawonga had a new reason to be thankful - the over 200 Tawongans who attended our first ever Gratitude Shabbat and 2011 Camp Renuion. Families got a taste of a Tawonga-style Kabbalat Shabbat led by Deborah Newbrun and Isaac Zones, followed by a delicious potluck dinner and rousing song session. Thank you to everyone who attended!
 
 
 
A special thank you to Antonio Accardo of Accardo Financial & Insurance Services for donating the delicious pasta dishes from Villa Romana Ristorante. Accardo Financial Services designs customized strategies and solutions that meet the needs of individual clients. They will be hosting a complimentary dinner seminar taking place at Villa Romana on Thursday, January 12, 2012. RSVP: naccardo@financialguide.com
|
|
Alumni Spotlight
| | Camp Tawonga's alumni community stretches far and wide - from traveling in India to interning at the White House, from raising bees in the pastures of Washington to preparing and selling organic meat boxes in Oakland. Here is one alum's story:
Shana Goldberg: Tawongan since 1995
I have so many fond memories of the 5 summers I worked at Camp Tawonga. I will never forget the warmth of the campfires, the smiling faces during song  sessions and the laughter at the dance parties. Camp holds a very special place in my heart. It is really where I feel most connected with the Jewish community. Tawonga has taught me so many things about the culture of Judaism - the songs, the prayers, the dancing, the food, and the overall feeling of being so proud to be Jewish comes from my experiences at Tawonga. It is a true sense of belonging. When I'm not at camp, I look for ways to connect within my community. One way I found to do so is through Jewish events.
I have been an event planner for over 10 years. This past year, my sister Tanya and I started a company, Simcha Sisters. It is an event planning company that specializes in Bar/Bat Mitzvah receptions and Jewish Weddings. I feel this sense of Jewish community when I am working our events. Our clients make me proud. They are full of creative ideas about what they want at their B'nai Mitzvah and are so excited about being Jewish. We try to work with local, Jewish vendors who understand the importance of our culture and religion. They know about our traditional foods, our dietary laws and our rituals. It is wonderful to be able to sing along to the Jewish songs and know the words and dances of our ancestors.
We truly  bring out the 'Simcha' (celebration) in Simcha Sisters and love to share it with others.
Please feel free to contact us at info@simchasisters.com, 925-984-7024 or visit us at www.simchasisters.com
We love hearing from Camp Tawonga alumni and learning their Tawonga history. Have a Tawonga story to share? Tell us by clicking here or email us.
|
|
Community Events & Announcements
| Join Camp Tawonga summer staff member Dan Brady for the opening reception of his photograph exhibition at the UCSF Alumni House. Photos represent summer at Camp Tawonga and in the Sierra Nevada. Friday, January 6 from 6-8pm at 745 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco. Photos will remain on display throughout January and will be available for purchase. For more info: www.danjbrady.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Camp Kee Tov registration for the 2012 summer is now open! Located in North Berkeley, Camp Kee Tov was voted Best Jewish Day Camp in the East Bay by the J Weekly and named Best Summer Day Camp for Kids by East Bay Express. Camp Kee Tov offers programs for campers entering Kindergarten through 9th grade and has a dynamic staff that brings the summer to life! Many Camp Kee Tov campers spend the other portion of their summers at Camp Tawonga! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The JCCSF's middle school program, Club 18, is what parents want and where kids want to be! Staffed by veteran Tawongans, it's a little reminder of camp every day after school. Join us at Chill Hours, where middle schoolers can hang with friends in our hip teen center or explore the City with our experienced staff. Pre-teens engage in programs such as Tikkun Olam community service, arts & crafts, private tutoring and exercise with a personal trainer in the Fitness Center.Chill Hours is a daily drop-in program, Monday-Friday from 2:00 - 6:00 pm. Mention you heard about Chill Hours in the Pipeline and come for a week for free! And of course, we have many other programs and special events throughout the school year. If you have any questions or you'd like to know more about our middle school dances, creative programs, events on school breaks and other offerings, contact Stephanie Reisfeld, Teen Program Coordinator, at 415.292.1249.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Explore Israel's social complexities by living, learning and volunteering alongside inspiring social activists in an Ethiopian Israeli community. The Yahel Social Change Program is an exciting 5-month service-learning experience based in the town of Gedera, combining hands-on volunteer work with in-depth immersion and learning. Yahel offers you an unparalleled, meaningful experience to contribute to Israeli society by partnering with an Israeli grassroots organization working to empower local communities. We are currently accepting applications for our February-July session of the program. Substantial grants and scholarships are available through Masa Israel Journey and Yahel. Apply now! www.yahelisrael.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
|
|
