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Week Seven 2023

It’s hard to formulate a message that accurately reflects our emotions as we enter this final Shabbat of Summer 2023. The past seven weeks, we’ve witnessed your children grow, learn, and love camp. These weekly emails communicated some elements that make camp such a powerful environment for campers — but the list can go on.

We still have three full days and I look forward to sharing a broader post-summer message the week after next. But, for now, I just want to say thank you to all our Morasha families. I recognize that there are many incredible overnight camp options. Please know that we appreciate you entrusting your children with us and for choosing Camp Morasha as your educational partner. It is our sincere hope that our campers board the camp buses more inspired, confident, independent, skilled, and passionate about their Judaism.

To cap off our home-building metaphors — Let’s keep building together. The inspiration and growth should not and does not have to end on Tuesday. As we enter our seventh decade of Camp Morasha, we are more motivated than ever to think of ways to extend the summer camp magic into the winter months and to partner with our parents to continue this impact.

Camp tradition is to not have the typical PreShabbat video for our last Shabbat in anticipation of Monday evening’s closing video. In its place, we’ve created a short ‘trailer’ for the Final Night video, which can be viewed by clicking here or below. Here’s to an amazing final three days of Morasha 2023!

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 11 August, 2023 at 11:46 pm
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Week Six 2023

Summer camp is like a window that opens up a world of possibilities and allows children to see beyond their everyday lives. Just as a window provides a view to the outside, camp offers a unique perspective and an opportunity for children to explore new horizons, broaden their understanding, and embrace new experiences.

Similarly, windows offer glimpses into the outdoors. Camp exposes children to the wonders of nature — whether it’s exploring forests, swimming in lakes, or gazing at starry skies. In 2023, this may be the most obvious benefit of summer camp — but has increasingly become one of the most important aspects of this experience: Unplugging campers of all devices so that they can fully immerse themselves in — and connect with — their environment.

As a parent myself, I don’t believe I need to elaborate on this. It’s a daily struggle in my own household to balance the strong desire to have my children off devices while using them as a crutch as Rachel and I need to simply ‘get stuff done.’ I recognize that this only gets exponentially more complicated as children grow older and are exposed to unintended media and content. This is a massive issue that we, as a community, need to address. But, for this short moment, I feel fortunate to spend seven weeks in a camp where children are fully removed from electronic devices and are able to fully immerse themselves in the magic of summer camp. It’s the biggest blessing for our kids.

You can enjoy a glimpse into this magic through this week’s PreShabbat Video by clicking here.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 4 August, 2023 at 11:46 pm
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Week Five 2023

The walls of a house act as a physical and metaphorical boundary that separates the family (and, in our case, camp community) from the outside world. Within these walls, campers and staff come together to form a tight-knit community, where shared experiences, values, and traditions create a sense of unity. The walls of camp not only protect and provide a place for creativity and independence, but also foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among campers and staff alike. This is our value of Achdut — and the ability to sing together, play together, and live together is so incredibly special.

At the same time, the walls of a house provide structure and support, just like the people in our lives. Our parents, family, friends, and community provide us with the support we need to get through tough times and celebrate our successes. On this level, we are so unbelievably appreciative of the partnership between camp and parents. This collaboration between summer camp and parents is crucial in building a solid framework for a child’s development and to set them on a path to thrive in both their camp and home environments.

We can’t wait to welcome our parents, and all visitors, to our summer home in less than 48 hours. We have a great day of celebration planned for you — and I look forward to personally greeting you. Until then, enjoy our fifth PreShabbat Video by clicking here.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 28 July, 2023 at 11:45 pm
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Week Four 2023

Dear Parents,

Once stepping into a home, the first action one takes is to turn on the lights. Similarly, hiring a staff who can serve as role models and illuminate and inspire our campers to live a life dedicated to Jewish values is the very first step we take in ensuring a successful summer.

We strongly believe that a camp is only as good as the staff on the frontlines. It’s hard to think of another relationship in a child’s life that is so impactful than the camper / staff member relationship. Camp staff serve as guiding lights – mentors and role models – by helping campers grow in their yiddishkeit, navigate challenges, and embrace new experiences. It is the radiating warmth, passion, expertise, and genuine care of our staff that makes a child’s summer camp experience a successful one.

Since the founding of our camp 60 years ago, the words “תורה אור” sits at the center of the Camp Morasha logo. The camp’s founders knew very well that the essence of camp will be the Torah-living inspiring role models that our campers interact with on a daily basis. As we enter Shabbat Chazon and Tisha B’av, may we all be inspired to do good deeds so that next year, BEH, we are celebrating our 61st season in Yerushalayim.

To watch this week’s PreShabbat video, please click here. Please note that this week’s video comprises solely of a capella music, per the camp’s Nine Days policy. Wishing all our Camp Morasha families a meaningful fast.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 21 July, 2023 at 11:44 pm
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Week Three 2023

Dear Parents,

The first step into one’s home is usually through a door — and the first mitzvah when moving into a home is often affixing a mezuzah to the doorpost. Many wonder — Why it is our custom to affix the mezuzah in a slanted orientation when the machloket in the Rishonim is to place it perfectly vertically or perfectly horizontally. A common explanation is that the slant is to teach us that, while there is a machloket, multiple voices and perspectives are welcome and encouraged in Jewish life.

Summer camp opens doors to various opportunities and perspectives that children can embrace during their time at camp:

▪ Doors to New Experiences: Summer camp opens doors to a wide range of experiences that children may not have encountered before. Each activity represents a unique door that children can open to discover new skills, passions, and interests. By participating in diverse activities, children broaden their horizons, expand their knowledge, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
▪ Doors of Friendship: Summer camp brings together children from different backgrounds and communities. It acts as a meeting point where doors of friendship can be opened. As campers interact and connect with one another, they have the opportunity to form bonds, build lasting friendships, and gain insights into different perspectives and experiences.
▪ Doors of Personal Growth: Summer camp can serve as a transformative experience for children, allowing them to open doors to personal growth and development. Within the camp environment, children are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, take on challenges, and discover their hidden strengths and talents. By embracing new opportunities and pushing their boundaries, campers develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment.
▪ Doors of Leadership and Responsibility: Summer camp can also be a door to leadership and responsibility for children. As they progress through different camp activities, they may have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, such as being a team captain, camp counselor-in-training, or group leader. These doors of leadership help children develop crucial skills like communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork. They learn to guide and support their peers, becoming role models within the camp community.

This week was filled with opening doors. Just today, the doors to leadership and responsibility were in full swing, as our campers ran the Race for the Beis marathon that made us so unbelievably proud. Raising over $500,000 for our new central Beit Knesset was a huge Kiddush Hashem and we’d like to thank all of you who supported this incredibly event. You can watch a recap of this, and all of this week’s events, by clicking here or below.

From our home to yours, wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom!

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 14 July, 2023 at 11:43 pm
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Week Two 2023

Dear Parents,

All homes begin with a foundation. A strong foundation when building any structure is critical — and the same applies with building character, values, and passion in children. Just as foundations are built to withstand major headwinds, children need a strong base to navigate life’s complexities — and by nurturing their resilience, confidence, self esteem, and empathy, we strive to equip children with essential life skills and middot.

We strongly believe that camp is one of the primary institutions that help lay this crucial foundation for children’s growth and Jewish identity. In their most critical and formative years, summer camp empowers campers to become confident, independent, compassionate, and capable individuals who can navigate life’s challenges with resilience and success. The unique environment of summer camp is unmatched — and we are honored to be part of these foundational years of growth and love for yiddishkeit.

This past week began laying this foundation, for each individual camper’s growth and for our summer as a whole. While it’s impossible to capture the ruach, creativity, learning, and fun in an email or photos, we do our best through our weeklyPreShabbat Video. Enjoy our second PreShabbat Video by clicking here and this week‘s issue of the Shalhevet Newsletter by clicking here.

From our home to yours, wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom!

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 7 July, 2023 at 11:41 pm
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Week One 2023

“Home is where the heart is.” These words cannot be more truer for our summer home — a magical place where our campers countdown to return after each and every summer. We feel humbled and privileged to be part of creating this world that allows children to grow, play, sing, dance, and forge lifelong friendships with peers and staff. We can’t thank you enough for partnering with us as we begin our journey into Morasha 2023.

As we’ve shared, the educational theme of this summer is _HomeBeis_. The choice to delve into the theme of ‘Home’ is multifaceted: It is simultaneously our summer home’s 60th anniversary season and our homeland’s 75th birthday. More broadly, we will explore and celebrate various themes and attributes of the home. How can we enter a camping season ensuring there is ‘שלום בית’ in our bunkhouses? Why are so many of our most sacred spaces referred to as a home: The בית כנסת ,בית מדרש, and בית ספר? As we approach the Nine Days, we will learn about the building of the spiritual home of the Jewish people – the בית המקדש – and how we can be part of rebuilding of בית שלישי. And, finally, we will celebrate the State of Israel and learn how incredibly fortunate we are to have a permanent Jewish homeland בזמן הזה.

While these topics will be the educational focus in camp, I look forward to using my weekly pre-Shabbat emails to use the structure of the house as a metaphor to communicate various impacts of summer camp: Foundation, Doors, Windows, Walls, and Lights.

The excitement that was beaming from our camper’s faces as they stepped off the bus was contagious. We, as camp staff, are here to ensure that they are cared for and supported in every way possible. As always, please feel free to reach out if we can be of any help. Until then, enjoy our first PreShabbat Video by clicking here and our Shalhevet Newsletter by clicking here.

From our home to yours, wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom!

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This entry was posted Friday, 30 June, 2023 at 4:21 pm
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Week Seven 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

Over the past six weeks of this summer, I have shared the various elements of overnight camp of which I am most passionate. For this seventh and final week, I’m sharing what is perhaps the most obvious — but has increasingly become one of the most important aspects of this experience: Unplugging campers of all devices so that they can fully immerse themselves in — and connect with — their environment.

As a parent myself, I don’t believe I need to elaborate on this. It’s a daily struggle in my own household to balance the strong desire to have my children off devices while using them as a crutch as Rachel and I need to simply ‘get stuff done.’ I recognize that this only gets exponentially more complicated as children grow older and are exposed to unintended media and content. This is a massive issue that we, as a community, need to address. But, for this short moment, I feel fortunate to spend seven weeks in a camp where children are fully removed from electronic devices and are able to fully immerse themselves in the magic of summer camp. It’s the biggest blessing for our kids.

Camp tradition is to not have the typical PreShabbat video for our last Shabbat in anticipation of Tuesday evening’s closing video. In its place, we’ve created a short ‘trailer’ for the Final Night video, which can be viewed by clicking here or below. I look forward to sharing one final weekly message through a post-summer e-mail and video on Friday, August 26th. Until then, here’s to an amazing final four days of Morasha 2022!

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 12 August, 2022 at 10:52 pm
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Week Six 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

We like to say that, in camp, we don’t only learn about our Judaism — but we live our Judaism. Campers LEARN Torah in formal and informal ways from passionate and inspiring teachers, counselors and staff. They then have the chance to LIVE that Torah in their bunks and on the ball fields, with teachers and peers. Learning and living Torah define the natural rhythm of Morasha, every minute of every day.

This is the sixth (and perhaps top) reason why I am so passionate about summer camp. It is one of the few places in the world dedicated towards inspiring religious growth that our kids literally count down to return to. Think about that: Our children count down all year long to participate in a program that is focused on Jewish education and values. This is an incredibly unique and powerful reality — and we do not take that opportunity for granted. It’s this fact that inspires US to continue to think of ways to have a bigger and deeper educational impact each and every summer.

We hope this is the last Tisha B’av that we need to experience here in Lakewood, PA. But we also know that Tisha B’av is remembered by many of our alumni as one of the most powerful experiential moments of their camping experience. May we merit the coming of Mashiach so that next year we will celebrate the Ninth of Av together in a rebuilt Yerushalayim.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 5 August, 2022 at 10:51 pm
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Week Five 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

We are on the cusp of welcoming parents, grandparents, siblings and alumni back home for the first time in three years. It’s no-doubt exciting for our campers and staff alike and we are thankful to Hashem that we find ourselves in a position to host an in-person Visiting Day. There were many factors that drove this decision — but giving our guests a chance to see the camp facility, meet camp staff, and enjoy camp activities were all secondary to the core motivation to host, which is the fifth reason I am so passionate about camping: Family.

Summer camp strengthens family — both inside and out. Leaving home often makes our camper’s hearts grow fonder and giving children an experience to connect with parents through the unique context of Visiting Day is hard to match. I remember that special Visiting-Day-feeling as a child. We also view the relationship with our camp parents as extended family — partnering together in educating and raising our children. Finally, we are so blessed to form our own ‘summer family’ here at camp and giving parents the opportunity to taste this sense of achdut and camaraderie is invaluable.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 29 July, 2022 at 10:50 pm
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Week Four 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

It’s no secret that our camp puts an emphasis on creativity and the aesthetic. This touches upon the fourth of six summer camp elements that I am so passionate about — the unbelievable potential to learn and develop creativity within an appropriate framework of Halacha and Jewish values.

In a summer camp focused on inspiring and educating our campers, we also believe that the notion of zeh keli v’anvehu expects one to not settle on accomplishing the minimum requirement but should beautify all aspects of their service to Hashem. I recognize that there are many approaching and perspectives on this — but we are passionate about using creativity and aesthetic intelligence when designing our programming, building our facilities, and teaching the value of creativity and artistry. Camp is a laboratory for life in many ways and to give our children the chance to learn creativity and express creatively in a wholesome, inspiring, and energetic environment is so important.

At the same time, we are wholly cognizant and sensitive that there is a nuanced and crucial line. I call it the “Happy not Jappy” evaluation — that we are here to provide our kids with an incredibly fun, happy, and exciting summer, but everything we offer must reflect values and inspire growth. From Olympics to Israel Day, this week in camp provided so many opportunities for campers to use their creative talents and continue to shine.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 22 July, 2022 at 10:50 pm
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Week Three 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

I was hired to serve as Camp Director at the age of 25. When interviewed for the position, I listed 10 reasons why I thought the Board of Directors were out of their minds to consider me for this position — and my age certainly trended towards the top of that list. Little did I know that, in summer camp, one’s age becomes a virtually insignificant metric. Kindness and one’s skill-set rises above age.

Where else can a trio of 17 year olds become responsible for a group of children 24/7? Where else do a Senior Staff ranging from 21 to 73 work with complete mutual respect and camaraderie? How amazing was it to see young campers and staff take lead in the incredibly inspiring Shiria event that we all experienced last night?

The third of six summer camp elements that I am so passionate about is simple: Age is overrated. I myself was a product of this magical reality as a camper, as I was given the opportunity to organize and manage projects and events in camp that I would never be able to do at home. It is a privilege to now be able to do that for our own campers and staff — and to empower the next generation of passionate leaders.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 15 July, 2022 at 10:49 pm
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Week Two 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

As a nation, we have been compared to both the stars in the sky and sand at the sea. The question begs itself — why does Hashem use multiple descriptions when describing the children of Bnei Yisrael? Wouldn’t one be enough?

I heard an explanation that can serve as the foundation to my first of six reasons I am so passionate about summer camp. Camp offers the most incredible and unique opportunity to become part of a community, committed to shared values and building a sense of achdut across all bunks and ages. This fosters friendships that truly last a lifetime (a weekdoesn’t go by when an alumnus will proudly show me their Morasha WhatsApp group with friends they met in camp decades ago!). Joining Morasha means joining a family.

At the same time, camp also offers the unparalleled opportunity for each individual camper to grow in her or his own way — developmentally, spiritually, and by building on unique skills. I am deeply passionate to offer a program that gives children with a wide-range of interests a chance to shine. I myself wasn’t an athlete, so offering all campers an opportunity to excel is deeply personal — whether in athletics or aquatics, arts or adventure, on the stage or in a fitness studio.

So yes — we are sand and we are stars. Sand represents a unified body, a cohesive body indistinguishable from one another. Stars represents an individual unit, shining in a way that is unique and special. We are so fortunate to be able to spend our summers building this family and helping each individual child grow. I cannot remember seven days of any previous summer that was more inspiring, action-packed, and fun than this past week — focused both on building the individual and unifying our camp. It was incredible.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 8 July, 2022 at 10:48 pm
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Week One 2022

Dear Parents & Friends,

Imagine if the concept of overnight camp did not exist. Imagine a world where our children had no counselors to look up to, no camp friends to connect with, and no opportunity to unplug from their devices for any extended period of time. There’s no two ways about it — The immersive nature of overnight camp creates a most unique and transformative experience for our children. It is unparalleled.

I was often asked in my mid-to-late 20’s when I would get a ‘real job.’ When asked this, I of course understood the intention of the question. But it was the irony of the wording that I found most fascinating. Because, in my humble opinion, there is nothing more real than summer camp. This is where children have the distinctive opportunity to gain real independence, make real lifelong friendships, and build real skills. This is why we are so passionate about Jewish camping.

In line with this summer’s educational theme, “People of Passion,” I look forward to utilizing each weekly email to focus on a specific and unique element of summer camp of which I am passionate. Until then, I want to thank our camp parents for partnering with us in this journey. We truly believe that there’s never been a time when summer camp was more important than now — and we are thrilled to be back at it for our 59th season.

Jeremy Joszef
Director, Camp Morasha

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This entry was posted Friday, 1 July, 2022 at 10:46 pm
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Morasha 2022 Bus Departure Times

STAFF ORIENTATION – SUNDAY, JUNE 26

  • Long Island Bus: Boarding at 9:30 am, departure at 10:00 am, from Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream (Men’s Macy’s Lot)
  • New Jersey Bus: Boarding at 10:30 am, departure at 11:00 am, from Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus (AMC Lot)

OPENING DAY – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

  • Long Island Bus: Boarding at 8:00 am, departure at 8:30 am, from Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream (Men’s Macy’s Lot)
  • New Jersey Bus: Boarding at 8:30 am, departure at 9:00 am, from Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus (AMC Lot)
  • Westchester Bus: Boarding at 8:30 am, departure at 9:00 am, from William B Ward School in New Rochelle
  • Airport Bus: Coach bus transportation will arrive at Newark Airport to pick up our CA group flight (and any other non-group flight camper landing at Newark Airport) at 9:00 am and then our FL group flight at 2:15 pm. Camp staff will be at each arrival to greet our campers and chaperone them up to camp.

CHANGEOVER DAY – WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

TO CAMP

  • Long Island: Boarding at 8:00 am, departure at 8:30 am, from Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream (Men’s Macy’s Lot)
  • New Jersey: Boarding at 9:00 am, departure at 9:30 am, from Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus (AMC Lot)

FROM CAMP – TBA

MORASHA MANIA – AUGUST 8 – 10

TO CAMP (AUGUST 8)

  • Long Island: Boarding at 8:00 am, departure at 8:30 am, from Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream (Men’s Macy’s Lot)
  • New Jersey: Boarding at 9:00 am, departure at 9:30 am, from Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus (AMC Lot)

FROM CAMP (AUGUST 10)

  • New Jersey: From Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus (AMC Lot) at approximately 4:45 – 5:15 pm.
  • Green Acres Mall: From Green Acres Mall (Men’s Macy’s Lot) at approximately 5:45 – 6:15 pm.
  • Pick Up: If you plan to pick up your child at camp please come to the Main Office at 2:00 pm city time, where your child will be waiting with his/her luggage.

CLOSING DAY – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 – TBA

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This entry was posted Tuesday, 24 May, 2022 at 3:52 pm
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