Summer camp for Russian-speaking Jews in California

August is traditionally considered the time of children's summer camps in North America. Despite the colossal abundance and variety of Jewish camps in the USA and Canada, where Jews from the countries of the former USSR have been actively participating for many years, a summer camp created specifically for Russian-speaking Jews has been operating in California for more than 10 years.

Photo: Guzel Khosnullina

Gesher was created to teach Jewish values, traditions and history to children from the former Soviet Union through a non-religious prism and an experiential approach to learning. The goal of the camp's educational program is to inculcate Jewish identity both on a personal and group level, with a special focus on the cultural heritage of Soviet Jews.

Gesher participants learn to show respect for each other, take responsibility, practice tolerance and acceptance of others regardless of differences. They also learn dance, swimming, archery, drama, photography, arts and crafts, team building and more. The best Russian-speaking teachers and counselors from Israel, Europe and North America work with the camp participants.

For the second year in a row, “Gesher” accepts children of immigrants from Ukraine into its ranks. This year, 20 Ukrainian children, both Jewish and non-Jewish, took part in the camp. For many of them, this was their first exposure to Jewish culture and heritage, which raised many questions. Camp participants explained to their new friends what Shabbat is, why Jews wear kippahs, and much more.

The director of the camp is Lena Geller, a specialist in the field of Jewish non-formal education, a graduate of the Israeli Naale program, and an employee of the Shalom Institute.

Gesher is a project of the Shalom Institute (California) in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel. A special grant for the camp was provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

“The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles immediately agreed to provide assistance to Jews in need, building on the long-standing relationship between the federation, Shalom Institute and its director Rabbi Bill Kaplan. We raised money to support needy Jews affected by the war, using a portion of the funds to help send young Ukrainian Jews to a summer camp in southern California, because we knew the Shalom Institute would put those funds to good use. And we are glad to see that the funds we raised went to help young Jews displaced by the war. This is the essence of our work and partnership,” noted the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

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