Summer is here, and it’s a time when some in our community can slow down, get away, and recharge. For some, especially our family in Israel, summer brings another season of uncertainty.
That’s why we are especially happy to announce a new program called Campers2Gether. Starting in July, we are putting our values in action by bringing a group of nearly 100 Israeli teenagers who were displaced by the October 7th attack to four different summer camps for rest, recuperation, and connections with their SoCal counterparts. They will be joining the over 5,000 campers that our community helps to experience the majesty of the mountains, and the magic of song, dance, and Shabbat.
If your family does not have someone who goes off to camp and if you are interested in doing something meaningful, our monthly Community Service Days offer many diverse volunteer opportunities. This month, dozens of volunteers came together for a community beach cleanup, prepared for a graduation ceremony celebrating underserved students, and beautified a summer camp in anticipation of campers arriving.
Our July Community Service Day is on July 7th. Sign up to work at Westside Food Bank or participate in challah baking with L’Dough V’Dough. Sign up and stay updated by visiting our Community Service Page.
Over the past 12 years, our legendary bike race fundraiser Tour de Summer Camps has generated over $11 million to create joyful Jewish summer camp experiences for thousands of local campers. This year’s Tour de Summer Camps is on September 29th, at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley. Cyclists of all skill levels are welcome! This year we are adding a family-friendly Color Run, where kids get doused in different colors while running a looped course. I hope to see you there!
As we slide into summer, I hope that all of us can find a few moments of connection and recuperation. Remember that no matter how hard the world seems, your hopes are our hopes, your joy is our joy, and together we thrive.
R’ Noah
