At the core of a successful camp experience for any child is their sense of safety and belonging. Each child should feel that they are included, and bring value to the community. To that end, Jacobs Camp is committed to ensuring that the camp experience reflects the diversity of all of our campers and families.
We are a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community when we embrace the diversity that is the reality of modern Jewish life. We are individuals of different sizes, different colors, different backgrounds, different gender identities, different feelings and even different beliefs. There is more than one authentic way to be Jewish and we acknowledge that our diversity is an essential component to making our community whole. Jews by choice, those exploring Judaism, Jews of Color, LGBTQ+ Jews, Jews who live with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities, multiracial families, and interfaith couples and families are all an integral part of our community, and we strive to be a space of belonging for all who wish to call it home. Together we uphold one of our most cherished values, the belief that we are ALL B’tzelem Elohim – created in G-d’s image.
Jacobs Camp is a place where each child, staff member and any person who is a part of our community should be safe, have the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves, and be able to enjoy all that our program has to offer. Our leadership and staff work with professionals and organizations with expertise in diversity and inclusion to develop strategies toward the goal of greater sensitivity to all. Given our all-encompassing commitment to transparency and respect, we affirm our community’s values around gender inclusion. We understand these ideas may be new to some families, and we encourage everyone to have a conversation with their campers prior to camp. Below are resources to support these family conversations.
We are grateful for the partnership of our families in helping our camp be a safe and inclusive place for our entire kehillah to have fun, and enjoy a carefree summer of friendship and Jewish Joy.
Information For Interfaith Families
Your child – any child from an interfaith family who is being raised as a Jew – has a place at our camp. For many years, the Reform Movement has been at the forefront of the Jewish world ensuring a welcoming environment for interfaith families and their children.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A URJ CAMP? WHAT IS JEWISH LIVING?
Camp is fun! Our campers experience a great atmosphere, terrific activities and programs, values that come to life every day and friendships, all under eyes of our caring, responsible adult role models (some of whom either are children of interfaith families or themselves non-Jewish).
Your child, when entrusted to our camp, will experience what it is like to live in a completely Jewish environment. This complete absorption into the rhythms and calendar of Jewish living gives each child a fuller appreciation of the richness of their Jewish identity and heritage. They are taught the values of charity, justice and kindness. Experience has shown that they will bring these values home.
Shabbat is a big event at camp. The entire camp comes together, dressed in white as one family, on Friday evening, for dinner, worship, song and dance. Campers experience the fullness of a Shabbat celebration both spiritually and culturally.
Each child’s pride in their Jewish identity is nurtured, while respect for those of other beliefs is also strongly encouraged.
WILL MY CHILD FEEL ISOLATED OR DIFFERENT BECAUSE ONE PARENT IS NOT JEWISH?
Not at all. Many of our camp counselors themselves are wonderful products of interfaith marriages. Each child at Jacobs Camp is valued as the unique individual they are, with the wonderful attributes they bring to our community. Each child is recognized as a full member of the Jewish community whether they have one or two Jewish parents.
WILL IT BE A PROBLEM IF MY CHILD HAD LIMITED OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF HEBREW?
No problem! Campers pick up some Hebrew at camp in an experiential way, learning some basic Hebrew terms, Hebrew blessings and phrases. They enjoy showing off when they return home.
WILL MY CHILD FEEL EMBARRASSED IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO SOMETHING JEWISH?
Jacobs is a place for your child to further their knowledge of Judaism in an experiential way. Every child who comes to camp brings a different skill set and knowledge of Jewish tradition and practice. They learn from us and from their friends at camp. This is a no-stress environment, where learning the levels of Jewish living is an enjoyable and natural progression.
WHEN MY CHILD RETURNS HOME, WILL THEY BE LESS COMFORTABLE WITH MY NOT BEING JEWISH?
Remember that many of your child’s counselors have experience with interfaith families – either their own, their relatives or their friends. We teach each child that the Torah mandates to honor thy father and mother. We emphasize to each child that this teaching is not based on the parent being Jewish – the teaching is based on honoring each parent. Your position as the child’s parent will continue to be sacrosanct. We will encourage the respect you are due as a parent, with no regard to your own religious beliefs.
Resources For Discussing Gender Diversity With Your Family