Havurah Frequently Asked Questions
What is Havurah? Havurah (kompaniya) is a unique Jewish summer program at Camp Tel Yehudah designed especially for teens from Russian-speaking families. The engaging and enriching activities focus on Jewish history, culture and tradition with an accent on the participants’ unique Russian-Jewish heritage. It is complimented by a wide variety of amazing recreational activities at camp and travel in the Northeastern United States. Participants in Havurah will have a chance to deepen their understanding of Jewish culture and develop friendships with their peers within the Jewish community.
Why is Havurah special? Havurah is the only international sleepover camp program that attracts teens from Russian speaking families from all over the United States, Canada and Israel. In camp teens will have an opportunity to share their experiences with American, Canadian and Israeli peers and make friendships that span across the globe.
Who is eligible? Jewish teens entering grades 9-12 from Russian-speaking families in the USA and Canada. Teens from other countries are also welcome and will qualify for partial discounts from the full price.
What are the dates for Havurah? The third annual Havurah program will take place between July 25th and August 15th, 2012. These are the dates of the second session at Camp Tel Yehudah.
Where is it located? The program will take place at Camp Tel Yehudah located on 150 beautiful wooded acres on the banks of the Delaware River in Barryville, New York. Tel Yehudah is the national senior leadership camp of Young Judaea, the Zionist Youth Movement of Hadassah. Learn more about Camp Tel Yehudah at www.campty.com. Please also contact us to receive a brochure and DVD about Tel Yehudah.
How much does it cost? The program’s cost of $3,500 is being generously subsidized by grants from the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Genesis Philanthropy Group allowing us to offer a significantly reduced tuition. Grant availability varies based on the previous attendance of residential Jewish camp programs including Havurah and gradually decreases year over year. Only 100 first campers will be eligible for the tuition outlined in the chart below. The following registrants will be eligible for a portion of the grant. New tuition chart will be published once we approach the 100th camper threshold.
| US/Canada | Israel | Other | |
| 1st year camper | $1,200 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 2nd year camper | $1,800* | $1,800 | $2,800 |
| 3rd year camper | $2,900* | $1,900 | $2,900 |
*before $300 Genesis Fellowship Stipend
Please note, that the tuition amounts are based on estimated contributions from funders and are subject to change. If the tuition rises after the registration, camper family will be able to cancel without any penalties.
Other discounts:
- Early Bird Discountof $175 will be applied toward the tuition for every camper who has registered and paid the minimum $500 deposit by March 1st. The last day to register in order to receive this discount is February 29th!
- Sibling Discount-$200 off total tuition amount is applicable for each additional camper from the same family
- Referral Discount-$150 will be applied toward the tuition of any registered camper for every new camper registered based on his/her recommendation.
- Air Travel Subsidies: We will also reimburse the price of the airfare on any amount over $100. (This is based on reasonable airfare within continental US and Canada as outlined in the camper/parent guide sent upon acceptance to the program.)
Are there additional scholarships available? While we invest maximum amount of the grant into the tuition of each participant making the program affordable to all participants, we will also offer limited need-based scholarship. We also encourage you to look for additional funding in local Jewish organizations which may provide extra scholarship funds.
How will transportation to/from camp work? Campers from outside of the New York metropolitan area will be given instructions for making plane reservations to Newark Liberty Airport. Upon arrival they will be picked up and brought to camp by bus. Campers who live in the New York metropolitan area may be driven directly to camp or may be dropped off at Newark Liberty Airport to take the bus.
What is the application process? Interested new participants must complete an application (Havurah Application 2012) and return it to Tel Yehudah via e-mail to info@havurahcamp.org or fax to 212-303-7491. Those campers who’ve attended the program in the past will be able to register directly on-line. Due to high demand for the program we also recommend pre-registering your campers even prior to the registration opening, by contacting the program manager at 877-HAVURAH(428-8724). Space is limited in the program and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Those accepted to the program, will be given instructions for registering on our website and making payment arrangements. (Download the application here.)
For more information about Havurah: please contact Yelena Pogorelsky – Havurah Program Manager at info@havurahcamp.org or 212-303-7462 (toll free: 1-877-HAURAH).
Hi,
Today is October 17. Havurah registration is not open. Would you please let me know when it will be available?
Thank you.
Thank you for your inquiry about Havurah. We are very excited for Havurah 2012 and we hope to be able to open up registration in the next few weeks. We are still finalizing agreements with our sponsoring organizations which will affect the tuition costs for participants. We will let you know as soon as we are ready to start accepting registrations.