It is no secret that our communal institutions and leaders are grappling with the question: How do we ensure that the next generation understands what Zionism is and why does it matter? As the summer winds down and the new academic year begins, this question will once again intensify. For the last few decades, the answer often included family trips to Israel, Zionist youth movements, synagogue life, and educational programs that allowed young Jews to experience Israel firsthand. Today, that landscape has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by nearly three years of war, has created a reality in which many young American Jews have not been able to travel to Israel, missing out on key formative experiences. At the very moment when a strong connection to Israel is needed most, many young Jews are encountering Israel primarily through headlines, social media, and political debate.

That is why Jewish summer camps have become one of the most important institutions shaping the future of Zionism.

Growing up at Camp Solomon Schechter near Olympia, Washington, I experienced this firsthand.  At Schechter, Israel was not a separate subject taught for an hour each day. It was woven naturally into camp life. Israeli shlichim (emissaries) shared their experiences, Hebrew songs echoed across camp, and Israel was part of our conversations, celebrations, and community. Zionism was never presented as a political slogan. It was understood as an expression of Jewish peoplehood and the enduring connection between the Jewish people and our ancestral homeland.

Looking back, I realize camp accomplished something........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)