Teaching Israel at Summer Camp

Summer camp is a time for swimming, boating, art projects, campfires and building intense friendships that can last a lifetime. It can also be an incredible time for developing a deeper, broader understanding of Israel's history and challenges -- and, most important, strengthening the ties that bind young American Jews to the Jewish state.

In the past several summers, I have developed a wide range of popular and successful Israel education activities at Jewish resident camps. Some involve nothing more than an informal

Israel Education   by the Lake Ask me anything! That's how an hour of Israel education might begin at camp. The campers are told the topic is Israel, but beyond that -- they get to shape the session! They may ask about the latest political or security issues, or they may ask how their Israeli peers spend their summers. It's all part of teaching Israel in the idyllic setting of resident camp. Other activities can include simulations of complex, controversial episodes from Israel's history, viewing Israeli films and discussing the similarities to - and differences from - American movies, and much, much more. For an overview of Israel education at camp, click here. To contact me about camp programming or to arrange a visit, click here.

discussion of key issues on Israel's agenda. That may sound like something for a classroom, but somehow it takes on a different feeling when the session is held around a picnic table at the edge of a deep blue lake in Wisconsin.

In Summer 2005, as Israel grappled with its impending withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, teenagers at two resident camps engaged in a multi-faceted simulation of the story behind the headlines. Teams immersed themselves in the worldviews of Israeli soldiers, citizens and leaders, as well as American officials and the news media. Through a series of strategy meetings, debates, demonstrations, military actions and heated discussions, participants gained deeper understanding of the complexity that lurked behind the often-simplistic headlines that purported to tell the whole story.

Camp isn't only about the campers. Counselors and other staffers also benefit from tremendous educational opportunities that go beyond learning how to keep a cabinful of youngsters happy.

• At Camp Chi in Wisconsin, I organized a debate about disengagement that was conducted by two Israeli specialists on staff in front of a crowd of dozens of staff members. Even though it took place close to midnight, the audience sat in rapt attention, and many noted that this was the first time they really felt as if they understood the issues raised by Israel's plan to leave Gaza.
• At Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, a weekend was devoted to small-group staff discussions about disengagement. Groups of Israeli and American counselors came together to grapple with complex questions relating to disengagement and the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as intra-Israe;i relations.  

In Summer 2006, the issues facing Israel will be different than those from years past, and new strategies will be needed to capture the interest and imagination of campers. The talking points will be different, and the simulation scenarios will change, but the magic of the camp environment will again prove ideal for helping young people understand Israel.