On a Thursday night in the Pocono Mountains, B’nai B’rith Perlman Camp looks more like a ghost town than a vibrant summer camp housing more than 300 campers and staff members. The sports fields, basketball courts, and swimming pool are all empty. But the sound of a hundred voices singing together suddenly erupts and splits the chilled air. It’s the last night of the Maccabiah games.
In the five-day competition, the camp divides into two teams – red and blue – to compete in a variety of sports and competitions. At the games’ closing ceremony, the two teams create a presentation including an elaborate skit involving the entire team, a camper-designed set, a comical and competitive team fight song, and a more somber alma mater.
The incredible part of all this is that there are seven children from Israel who have been touched by terrorism in the mix, having only arrived at the camp a week and a half earlier. But you wouldn’t know it to look at the mass of children, as the Israelis have become totally immersed in the camping tradition – painting their faces and dressing in costume to reflect their team’s theme.
Created in 2003, B’nai B’rith International’s Camp Passport program provides Israeli children directly affected by terrorism with a fully subsidized stay at an American camp – either Perlman Camp in Pennsylvania or B’nai B’rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin. Israeli Program Coordinator Shany Shoham works together with Israeli agencies to select kids that fit the necessary criteria for the program. In all, 12 campers are participating this year. The Camp Passport children travel with an Israeli counselor to help ease the transition to another culture, but most have quickly bounded into camp life.
“Coming here has been cool,” says Hadar Rosenwald, 16, from Bnei Brak. “It has helped us practice our English, get to meet other people… It’s hard to pick a favorite part because there are so many good things about this place.”
“It’s just so green! It’s calm and relaxed – it gives a good energy,” adds Peleg Goor, 14, from Holon.
Camp Director Lewis Sohinki believes that the opportunities provided by attending an American camp are the perfect prescription for these Israeli children.
“Part of our mission is to strengthen personal and Jewish identity,” Sohinki says. “These Passport kids have experienced a traumatic, life-changing event. To show them a calm, safe, and peaceful environment where they can succeed is something that’s very important both for them and us. They become a part of the regular camp program, which means that they’re enjoying it.”
The experience does not only affect the Israeli kids – it also has an immense impact on the American campers.
“My first experience with Camp Passport was two years ago when two Israeli kids came into our bunk,” said Ben Sternberg, 15, of Philadelphia. “At first it was a little strange, because our bunk was very close. It was a little hard to connect with them. But, as the summer goes on, we become really close to them. It’s like they’re already our best friends.”
“They’re pretty much just like us, except for the difference in language,” notes Adam Gershen, 13, of Rockville, Md. “Everyone in camp has had a connection with them.”
Sohinki believes that the presence of the Israeli kids and their counselor at Perlman Camp also provides another ingredient necessary for cultural development.
“They add a different perspective,” Sohinki says. “The Israeli perspective is very important to the Jewish community, to the Perlman community. So to add that element to the camp is amazing.”
At the closing ceremonies of the Maccabiah games, it is impossible to pick the Camp Passport kids from the other campers – all are dressed in costumes and enjoying the last moments of an extremely competitive five-day span. At the end of the night, one team rejoices and the other cries as the final tally is announced, but the whole camp seems to gather in a collective embrace afterward.
With the last few days of camp ahead, the Israeli kids have clearly enjoyed their stay. However, there are still a few activities left to check off the list for some:
“I still want to try the zipline,” says Din Termefoush, 15, of Ra’anana, citing one of the campers’ favorite activities. “Also, I haven’t been in the lake yet. That looks like a lot of fun.”
“This program has exceeded my expectations in every facet,” says Lane Elliott, founder of Camp Passport. “Unfortunately, we can’t reach every Israeli child who has been affected by terrorism. I would love to see the program continue to grow to reach more of them.”
B’nai B’rith contributes $6,800 for each child’s camp scholarship, raising the money through the generosity of donors. For more information about donating to Camp Passport, click here. Donations can be made directly to Camp Passport by clicking here.
Swimming, scaling a climbing wall, singing songs, playing basketball, laughing, and acting silly: It is all part of a typical summer at the uniquely American experience of summer camp. But for some Israeli kids, it is all that and more.
Since 2003, Israeli children have attended the B'nai B'rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin or the B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp in Pennsylvania; all expenses are paid through B'nai B'rith's Camp Passport program. The program allows Israeli children between 10 and 16 who have been directly affected by terrorism to recapture a bit of their childhood. Children who have lost family members in the wars against Israel are also eligible.
In Israel a staff liaison carefully selects each child to ensure that they can handle the separation from home. B'nai B'rith pays all tuition and travel for the campers and arranges for a special counselor to travel with the children and be part of their camp stay.
Summer camp, a rite of passage for many American kids, takes on a more important context when Israeli children take part. Through the program, the Israeli campers realize there are American Jews who love and support Israel. And the American campers find out what life in Israel is like for their peers.
