1. Last Shabbos someone approached my son and asked him why I do not provide camperships for members of our Long Beach community. I would like to respond to this question as I think it is very important for all of us to know the information.
In the approximately 15 years that I have been raising campership dollars, I have always made it my policy to treat all of the requests from both the observant and non-observing community in the same way, not favoring either of these communities. Many people in our community were in fact helped with camp over the years.
About 7 years ago, I received $1,000.00 from someone to help send children from our community to overnight camps. That donation was coupled with a request for having follow-up programs in our community after the children returned from camp. This was the beginning of our highly successful Chabad Kids Club.
In subsequent years, I received donations towards this fund as a blessing for a Refuah Shleima for those individuals who needed it.
Each year, when there were funds available for this purpose, 4-8 children of our community were given a $250.00 grant towards attending overnight camp. Unfortunately, that money ran out two years ago and this is why you have not heard from me about the overnight campership fund in the last two years. However, back to our day camp, rest assured that help will be given to anyone in our community who needs it, based on the same formula as everyone else.
2. After I heard about Scott Peck’s death last Thursday evening, I contacted the Jewish Family Service and Rabbi Gartenberg of Temple Beth Shalom. When I realized that he will be receiving an indigent person’s burial, which did not include the basics, which makes a funeral uniquely Jewish, I turned to our community via e mail and one Shabbos announcement. I would like to report that there came in enough money to cover Tahara, Tachrichin and a wooden pine box, as tradition dictates. There was enough money left over to arrange for Kadish for Scott three times a day for the next year. I was informed at the funeral by the funeral director, that when the man doing the Tahara heard that this was a joint effort to give a friend a Jewish burial, he decided to send back the money that he charges for the Tahara.
I thank everyone for their immediate and generous response. The leftover money will be going into my burial fund and hopefully not have to be used for a very long time to come.
3. At the request of many mothers throughout the years, we are considering offering a one-week day camp for mothers.
Director: Rabbi Moshe Y. Engel (Rabbi Engel will only set up the logistics of the program, but this is a camp being run for women and by women.)
Head counselor: to be announced. We are currently in negotiations with two very special women.
Activities: Swimming, challah baking, Jewish L.A. mystery bus tour, hiking and biking, yoga instruction, the healthy kitchen by a culinary institute graduate, arts and crafts, cupcake designing, ask Moses: the tough questions.
Cost: $180
Sponsors: $360
Conclusion: Friday and Shabbat program for husbands and wives, separate children’s program.
The cost for the Shabbat program is separate from the Mommies’ Camp, and will be approximately $75/couple and $25/child with a maximum at $136 per family.
Please e-mail to Rabbi Engel and his committee at mommiescamp@gmail.com:
a) any different activities you suggest would be of interest to the mothers;
b) whether you might be interested in such a program (at this point we are not asking for commitments, we are only wanting to know if there is an interest)
4. Now is the right time to contribute to our Campership Fund, if you are so inclined and able to do so. Tax deductible checks are made out to SGI Campership Fund.
Donors of one-week campership ----$180
Two week Campership --------------$360
Three week Campership ------------$540
All camperships donations will be acknowledged at the entrance to camp (unless otherwise requested)
Please notify us if your donation is in memory or in honor of someone or of an occasion.
5. We are also considering making a psychological shabbaton at the school.
Topics would include: anxiety, stress and depression by a licensed social worker who specializes in these areas.
Positive Jewish thinking; a guide to a more enjoyable, happy and meaningful life.
If you would be interested in such a program, please notify Rabbi Engel at rengel@hebrewacademyhb.com.
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