The URJ's 14 North American summer camps offer a unique space where connections can grow between North American young Jews and their Israeli counterparts. Young Israelis join our camping systems both as campers and as counselors. Over 300 shlichim (counselors from Israel) work at our URJ camps and bring the love of Israel through relationships, programming, and more to the over 12,000 youth, teens and young adults, staff, and faculty immersed in our camps. Additionally, Israeli 9th and 10th graders from the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism attend our camps in North America, incubating friendships that last a lifetime.
North American and Israeli teen campers have an opportunity to learn about one another’s cultures and traditions, celebrate Reform traditions in a North American summer camp setting together, and inspire connection and inspiration to last far beyond the summer.
The URJ’s evolving year-round teen engagement model will also include opportunities for teens to participate in Israel education programming both remotely and in person throughout the year.