Family Shabbat services at North Shore Synagogue drew a large crowd recently when the junior choir, under the direction of Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet and Cantor Rich Pilatsky, led the congregation through traditional prayers with some non-traditional melodies. Congregants and family members looked on with pride as the young choir members sang out in euphonious harmonies. Prayers including L’Cha Dodi and Mi Chamocha reminded many of their own childhood when they first learned and sang the prayers in their childhood synagogues.
Following the Family Shabbat services, parents and children enjoyed a presentation by Debby Shriber, director of the Union for Reformed Judaism’s (URJ) Crane Lake Camp that also recalled childhood memories for parents and grandparents in attendance. Crane Lake Camp is a beautiful summer camp nestled comfortably in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. Evoking images of bucolic country landscapes, a pristine blue lake and enough sports, arts and crafts and social activities to fulfill and exhaust even the most energetic children and young teens, Ms. Shriber spoke of the transformative experiences that happen at Crane Lake Camp, from long-lasting friendships to life-long memories. Crane Lake also provides programs and wonderful camping opportunities for children with special needs.
Several generations have attended URJ camps, which include Crane Lake and Camp Eisner in the Berkshires and Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York. Kutz Camp, which is affiliated with many youth programs, including North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), provides leadership skill training for Reform Jewish teens. A new URJ camp focused on science and technology will open this summer in Northeastern Massachusetts, not far from the high tech corridor near Boston.
As a proud member of the URJ, North Shore Synagogue supports Jewish camping as a way to encourage a life-long connection to Judaism while making friends and having fun. North Shore Synagogue, which has the largest Reform Jewish Youth Group on Long Island, sends more kids to Camp Kutz than any other congregation in 2013.
Following services and after the traditional blessings over wine and bread that are part of every Shabbat services, families and congregants enjoyed an Oneg Shabbat (beverages, cake and fruit) and shared memories of their summers, whether they were lucky enough to enjoy a sleep away camp experience or spent their summers at home.
Comedy night made for a fun girl’s night out for these three friends who enjoyed the clever humor of Johnny Lampert and Moody McArthur at North Shore Synagogue.
– From North Shore Synagogue
