Boulder Jewish News » Families

3 Colo Summer Camps Coming to Boulder

Wendy Aronson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:00:39 +0000

For the past three years, I’ve promoted Jewish camping opportunities to the Boulder Jewish community. Considering the fact that I worked for the Foundation for Jewish Camp, this should come as no surprise. Now, as a staff member of the Boulder JCC, I want to talk about a few more compelling reasons as to why a Jewish camp experience is important.

Camp Works, a recent study commissioned by the Foundation for Jewish Camp, revealed that Jewish camp builds Jewish identity, Jewish community and Jewish leadership. As adults, campers are 21% more likely to feel that being Jewish is very important, 37% more likely to regularly light Shabbat candles and 55% more likely to feel very emotionally attached to Israel than peers who did not attend Jewish overnight camp.

One out of three Jewish professionals (rabbis, cantors and teachers) started out as camp counselors and one out of five Jewish educators credit Jewish summer camp as a key experience that caused them to enter the field. My five sessions working at Young Judaea camps in California, Wisconsin and New York infused in me a profound love of Israel, Judaism and K’lal Yisrael (Jewish Peoplehood) which led to me spending a year in Israel before majoring in Jewish Studies in college and embarking on a career in the Jewish community. And I am not alone. The staff of the Boulder JCC has spent 77 collective years at one of 11 different Jewish overnight camps. And this summer, we will offer a robust calendar of day camp options.

Now that I have your attention, consider that Colorado is home to three fantastic Jewish overnight camps: JCC Ranch Camp, Ramah Outdoor Adventure Camp and Shwayder Camp. Representatives from all three will be on hand Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the home of Jennifer and Andy Goldman to answer questions about their programs. (To register for the event, call the Boulder JCC at 303-998-1900. The Goldman’s address will be provided upon registration.) All three camps provide nurturing Jewish environments in which campers create Jewish memories, make friends that last a lifetime and enjoy a wide variety of camp activities including horseback riding, sports, ropes course, music, arts and crafts and many more!

If you have or know children in grades 2-11 who might be interested in spending one or more weeks at Jewish overnight camp in Colorado this summer, please attend the Camp Info Program on Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 pm. Who knows? Your camper might just be the next leader of the Boulder Jewish community.

Free Tot Shabbat This Saturday

Froma Fallik — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:00:36 +0000

Please join us at Congregation Bonai Shalom this Shabbat, January 28, at 11:00 am for a tot Shabbat experience, a fabulous way to celebrate Shabbat together with your young children. We sing, dance, tell stories and enjoy Shabbat together in this innovative parent-led program. Geared towards children under the age of 5 and their parents, Shabbat Shelanu is open to the community and there is no cost to attend. Families, friends, visiting relatives, and siblings of all ages are welcome!

The dates for winter/spring 2012 are:
January 28th
February 11th & 25th
March 10th & 24th
April 14th & 28th
May 12th & 26th

Bonai Shalom is located at 1527 Cherryvale Road, just south of Arapahoe. If you have any questions, please email shelanu@bonaishalom.org.

Family Shabbat Program at Bonai Saturday

Froma Fallik — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:00:43 +0000

Please join us at Congregation Bonai Shalom this Saturday, January 21, for a creative, engaging family program geared towards children in grades 3-5 and their families. The Family Shabbat Program meets from 10:30 am – 11:30 am the first Shabbat of the month for K-2nd grade students and their families, and the third Shabbat of the month for 3rd-5th grade students and their families, when school is in session.

The Family Shabbat Program is open to the community and there is no cost to attend. Families, friends, visiting relatives, and siblings of all ages are welcome!

Our next Family Shabbat program will be held on Saturday, February 4 and will be geared towards children in grades K-2 and their families.

Bonai Shalom is located at 1527 Cherryvale Road, just south of Arapahoe.

If you have any questions, please email froma@bonaishalom.org

Join Shabbat Mishpacha on a WOW! Field Trip

Ellen Kowitt — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:00:23 +0000

Bring your whole family on this fun Shabbat field trip led by Marcia Seigal with special guest Har HaShem Cantorial Soloist Holli Berman.

Shabbat Mishpacha will travel to the WOW! Children’s Museum in Lafayette on Saturday, January 21st from 10:00 am – noon. Admission is $5.50 per family at the door, or free with a WOW! Children’s Museum membership. This event is also free for qualified families registered for MazelTot at www.MazelTot.org.

Sponsored by Congregation Har HaShem, Shabbat Mishpacha is an innovative Saturday morning program followed by age-appropriate activities for children. Geared for preschoolers through first graders and their families, everyone will enjoy celebrating Shabbat together with music, art, challah, and more! All Shabbat Mishpacha programming is open to the community and siblings of any age are welcome.

The WOW! Children’s Museum is located at 110 North Harrison Avenue in Lafayette, one block east of Public Road and one block south of Baseline Road. Please RSVP with the number of children attending from your family by Wednesday, January 18th to (303) 499-7077, ext. 14 or shabbatmish@congregationharhashem.org.

Literacy Story-a-Thon Saturday

Larry Dressler — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:55 +0000

Boulder Book Store is joining with Reading Village and 100 Book Day for a Story-a-Thon on Saturday, January 21 starting at 10:00 am. Local personalities and authors will share their passion for books with children of all ages for seven hours of fun and storytelling in both English and Spanish. Proceeds will benefit Reading Village’s work in Guatemala.

Clementine Art Studio will also offer a Bookmark Project Station where kids can make their own, or create a bookmark for kids in Guatemala. And attendees will have an opportunity to win a fabulous door prize, containing lots of goodies (and a BBS gift card)!

Schedule of Readings:

10:00 am—David Dadone (Executive Director, BMoCA) – Reading in Spanish
10:30 am—Guillermo Medina (Principal of Columbine Elementary) – Reading in Spanish
11:00 am—Mark Megibow (Beat-boxer for vocal band Face)
11:30 am—Jeff Kagan & Paige Doughty (Environmental musicians and performers)
12:00 pm—Sonny Zinn (Principal of Horizons K-8)
12:30 pm—Beth Osnes (Professor of Theater, founder of the Striking the Match Initiative)
1:00 pm—Linda Smith (Founder of Reading Village)
1:30 pm—Laura Resau (Author, The Queen of Water, The Ruby Notebook)
2:00 pm—Lee Shainis (Intercambio) & Shawn Camden (Founder and President of The Spanish Institute and 100% Mexicano) – Reading in Spanish
2:30 pm—Lisa Holub (Director of Education, Clementine Studio / OpenArts)
3:00 pm—Kerry MacLean (Author, Pigs Over Colorado, Peaceful Piggy Meditation)
3:30 pm—Nicole de Boom (Triathlete, Founder of Skirts Sports)
4:00 pm—Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (Earth Guardians)
4:30 pm—Melanie Borski-Howard (Youth Services Specialist at Boulder Public Library)

This is a FREE Storytime event, open to all, whether you only have time to stop by for a few stories or plan to stick around all day! Donations to Reading Village are encouraged.

Reading Village provides leadership development training and scholarships for Guatemalan teenagers to finish high school. In return, these teens lead story-time activities for young children, teaching them to read, imparting a love of books and the chance to dream.

Location: Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St, Boulder

Shabbat Shelanu For Kids and Parents

Froma Fallik — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:00:17 +0000

Please join us at Congregation Bonai Shalom this Shabbat, December 24, at 11:00 a.m. for a tot Shabbat experience, a fabulous way to celebrate Shabbat together with your young children. We sing, dance, tell stories and enjoy Shabbat together in this innovative parent-lead program. Shabbat Shelanu is geared towards children under the age of 5 and their parents.

Shabbat Shelanu is open to the community and there is no cost to attend. Bonai Shalom is located at 1527 Cherryvale Road, just south of Arapahoe.

Zemirah – Jewish Music for Babies and Toddlers

Mitten Lowe — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:30:45 +0000

Congregation Aish Kodesh will be hosting a babies/toddler (birth-3) music class on Thursdays at 10 AM with Jewish musician Rachel Cole. The class will be alternating 1st and 3rd Thursdays, between the Loft playspace on 29th street, and Aish Kodesh at 1805 Balsam.

We’ll be singing songs for Jewish holidays, Shabbat and Hebrew songs for kids! This week, there will be a special Chanukah class at Aish Kodesh, 1805 Balsam. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Three-Day Chanukah Party at HHS Winter Camp

Ellen Kowitt — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:00:34 +0000

Start your 1st-5th grader’s winter break with a three-day Jewish winter camp running Monday through Wednesday, December 19th - 21st from 9 am to 3 pm.

Experienced (and wildly fun) educators Caroline Saliman and Leah Boonin will lead a fun-filled group with games, crafts, songs, stories, and more.

On Monday and Wednesday, celebrate at Har HaShem, and on Tuesday, journey as a group to downtown Boulder for ice skating and a festive pizza party.

Take some time away from the kids while they have fun. It’s a great way for them to make friends in the Jewish community while doing all of the things kids like to do.

Membership at Congregation Har HaShem is not required to attend, and online registration is fast and easy online HERE. For all three days, the cost is $155 per child for members of Har HaShem and $190 for non members. Join the fun! Don’t miss out!

For more information, visit www.CampHarHashem.org or contact camp@harhashem.org.