Jewish summer camp in the US is, for many, a key moment of rooting in Jewish identity that informs the path of young Jews for the rest of their lives. In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by Dr. Shelley Kedar of the Jewish Agency for Israel and Michael Schlank, CEO of NJY Camps. Together, they explore how bringing together Jews from Israel and America, across backgrounds, denominations, and identities to summer camp helps young people engage with questions of belonging, peoplehood, and their relationship to Israel. Since October 7, the presence of Israeli shlichim at camp has taken on new emotional meaning, as they carry the trauma of war while also offering a chance to build empathy and solidarity.This is a deep dive into how camp can serve as a foundation for raising a generation of Jews who are rooted, resilient, and prepared to navigate the complexities of Jewish life and identity today.About Our Guests Dr. Shelley Kedar is the director of Connecting the Jewish People Unit at the Jewish Agency for Israel, one of the three key missions called for by the Jewish Agency’s vision. Connecting the Jewish people Unit focuses on four key strategies in which it holds a unique competitive advantage: partnerships, immersive experiences, peoplehood and pluralism, and emissaries (Shlichim). She previously served as the founding director of The Adelson Shlichut Institute within the Jewish Agency, responsible for developing and implementing content and training for all shlichim worldwide. She served as the Director of the Jewish Agency Israel Fellows program and senior representative to Hillel. Kedar was Hillel International’s first VP of Israel Education and Engagement and oversaw the creation of an Israel Action Program that strengthens and supports Hillel’s Israel related programming on campus. Shelley Kedar served as Director of the International School for Jewish Peoplehood Studies at Beit Hatfutsot, was the Director of Professional Development at the Leo Baeck Education Center and the Jewish Agency for Israel educational emissary to Liberal Judaism in Great Britain. Kedar earned a BA in Political Science, Media and Jewish Studies and an MA in Leadership and Informal Education Institutions Management at Bar Ilan University and a Doctorate in Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Michael Schlank: In September 2020, Michael was appointed as CEO of NJY Camps- the largest residential Jewish summer camp organization in North America. NJY’s innovative and groundbreaking work has been featured and recognized in: The Jewish Standard, The Jewish Link, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel. Michael was a member of Leading Edge’s CEO Fellow Cohort IV and A Preside FellowMichael has served on the Security Committee, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and as President of his synagogue. He is a member of the AIPAC Long Island Council and served on the Board of Hofstra Hillel. Michael’s writing has appeared in the Jewish Standard, 1840, The Jerusalem Post, eJP, and on The Times of Israel Blogs. After graduating from SUNY Albany Michael earned an MA at Hofstra and an MS.Ed. from C.W. and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook Post. (00:00) Introduction(07:04) Jewish Immersion and Identity Formation(08:51) The Role of Israelis at Camp(12:56) Navigating Cultural Interactions(16:55) The Dynamics of Israeli and American Campers(32:23) Navigating Difficult Conversations at Camp(32:51) The Impact of October 7th on Jewish Identity(38:01) Creating Safe Spaces for Difficult Conversations(46:00) The Importance of Community and Connection(50:52) The Disconnect Between Camp and Real Life(56:12) Enhancing the Camp Experience for Future Generations
