Ruben Arquilevich

Ruben Arquilevich (he/him) is the Union for Reform Judaism's vice president of URJ camps, NFTY and immersive experiences, leading teams across North America to increase engagement and strengthen URJ’s year-round youth, camp and Israel programs for people of all ages. Formerly, Ruben was the executive director of California camping and youth programs, including URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA (where he served as director for 25 years), URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy West, and 6 Points Sports Academy California, along with multiple NFTY regions. When not in the field visiting the Reform Movement's 17 camps, 19 NFTY regions, and many Israel programs, Ruben is out in nature with his wife Vivien and three children, who were all shaped by URJ immersive experiences.

 

Three Campers Jumping Joyfully into the Lake
Summer Youth Experiences

A Note About Camp

Ruben Arquilevich
We are now solidly in the middle of camp season and our 3,000 dedicated staff are working to ensure that our campers are enjoying the friendship, smiles, ruach (spirit), growth, and love that are all part of the camp experience, while also keeping everyone safe and healthy.
a tree with light behind it
Tu BiShvat

Taking a Breath for Life: the Union for Reform Judaism's Actions to Build Resilience

Ruben Arquilevich
On Tu Bishvat we celebrated trees and a season of new growth. I've been doing lots of thinking about trees, as I frequently do, and the role they play in providing oxygen for the planet. At the Union of Reform Judaism, we provide oxygen to our communities by creating compassionate spaces for our participants to grow and thrive. We can respond to current and future challenges by fostering resilience that reflect our Jewish values.
eisner_camp
teens

A Summer of Healing, Happiness, and Hope

Ruben Arquilevich
This past summer, our 15 URJ camps across North America and Israel programs provided the space where more than 11,000 children, teens and young adults could breathe free. Summer 2021 was clearly a summer of healing at our camps, as children returned to immersive in-person living, learning, laughing, crying, hugging where they can share their fears and dreams in a loving and accepting environment.