Havurah

Summer Camp for Teens from the Russian Jewish Community
July 22 – August 15, 2013
Хавура(Компания):
летний лагерь для подростков из русскоязычной общины
22 Июля -15 Августа, 2013

Havurah, a unique program for teens from the North American Russian Jewish community, had its inaugural session during the 2009 summer at Camp Tel Yehudah in Barryville, New York.  With generous support from the Genesis Philanthropy Group in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI or Sohnut), the program gives the opportunity for teens entering 9th through 12^th grades to spend three and a half weeks with their peers at Camp Tel Yehudah, the national senior leadership camp of Young Judaea.

We are thrilled to share that Havurah was selected from among hundreds of nominees to be included in the prestigious Slingshot Guide of the 50 most innovative and inspiring organizations in North America.

The fifth season of Havurah will take place in the summer of 2013.  The program dates will coincide with the second session of Camp Tel Yehudah: July 22^nd – August 15^th.  The full-session program includes overnight trips throughout the North-Eastern United States, Maccabiah games (color war) and numerous opportunities for fun, learning and making new friends. Registration for Havurah opened on December 19th.

Through a variety of innovative informal educational and recreational experiences, Havurah participants explore and deepen their relationships with Israel, Jewish traditions, and Jewish culture and identity.  With a commitment to Jewish pluralism as one of its core values, Tel Yehudah is a comfortable setting for Russian Jewish teens from a wide array of backgrounds.  Each year, campers come to Tel Yehudah from all over the United States, Britain, and Israel, with a wide range of Jewish affiliation, education, and commitment.  Sharing some of the activities and free time with the campers of Tel Yehudah’s leadership program, Havurah teens have an opportunity to develop friendships with Jewish teenagers from outside their own community.  With a strong focus on Israel at the core of the camp program, the counselors and educators from Israel, alongside the ones that come from North America, guide all aspects of the Jewish lifestyle we strive to maintain in camp.

Naturally, FUN is the central objective at Tel Yehudah.  In addition to the stimulating educational programs, every day campers choose from among many amazing activity areas such as the aquatic center, a ropes course with a climbing wall and zip line, drama, Israeli dancing, sports, arts and crafts and more.   Campers have an opportunity to learn or practice Hebrew and Russian in informal small groups.  Besides days in camp jam-packed with discussions, active games and social events the overnight trips that the campers participate make the program even more memorable and enriching.  And of course, experiencing Shabbat in the beauty and serenity of Tel Yehudah, surrounded by their peers, is a meaningful and exhilarating experience.  By the end of the session, teens will come away with new friendships, amazing experiences, a deepened engagement with their own Jewishness, and a real sense of connection to the State of Israel.

The program’s cost of $3,850 is being generously subsidized by our partners allowing us to offer a significantly reduced tuition.  Costs vary based on previous participation in overnight Jewish summer camps in United States. Find out more about tuition, available subsidies, payment plans and financial aid in our Frequently Asked Questions.    Furthermore, we will reimburse reasonable air travel expenses over $100 for flights in North America.  For those flying to camp, Tel Yehudah provides airport assistance and round trip transportation between Newark Liberty Airport and camp at no additional cost.

For information about the program, please us at info@havurahcamp.org or toll free 1-877-HAVURAH.