Jewish summer camp provides young people with a heightened sense of Jewish community and spirituality. The most popular camps for boys and girls from Congregation Achduth Vesholom are the Reform Movement's Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) in Zionsville, Indiana, and the Fort Wayne Jewish Federation's Camp Joe Levine. GUCI is named after the late Myron S. Goldman, who was a past president of the Temple.
The Temple encourages all our young people to attend URJ camps or other Jewish summer programs to reinforce learning, Jewish identity, friendships and ruach (spirit). Many of our 10th grade students also participate in NFTY or other summer offerings in Israel.
Temple camperships have become increasingly important during the last several years. Without this subsidy, a significant number of Achduth Vesholom families would find the cost prohibitive. Please continue to support the Ruth Brenn, Gold-Turansky, Mansbach and Temple Campership funds with your donations. The Fort Wayne Jewish Federation also supports these experiences with its camperships, Minnette Baum Scholarships for organized teen trips to Israel, and the Send a Kid to Israel Program (SKIP).
At the Temple, we try to capture some of the excitement of Jewish summer camp at our annual GUCIBAT service. Beginning with the sound of the shofar and a "Shabbat walk" down the hallway to the Sanctuary led by former GUCI song leader Alan Goodis, our members gather for a special camp-style service led by our young people. A Shabbat dinner ala camp - fried chicken, kugel, green beans, challah and pie - and spirited song session follow. Assistant Camp Director Max Klaben will share all the latest news about camp at our next GUCIBAT on December 9, 2011.
Contact the Temple office for a camp application or to receive more information about financial assistance for families who otherwise couldn't afford camp.