Camp Tel Yehudah
Camp Tel Yehudah is the official national senior camp of Young Judaea, a Zionist youth group sponsored by Hadassah. It is located in Barryville, New York. It is for Jewish teenagers from ages 13–17 (going into high school up until college.) It is located on the banks of the Delaware River.
There are two parts to camp, Aleph and Bet. Aleph is the older camp with cozy bunks that have bathrooms but not showers, and many apple trees. Discussions often take place under the apple trees. To shower, campers have to walk to the bathhouse.
Bet looks a bit like an army camp. The bunks are built in a horseshoe shape with the dining hall and beit ha'am at the opening of the horseshoe. There is a staff house in Bet, that is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Rebecca Quick.
Rebecca Quick is a woman who, after widowed by her husband, killed her three stepsons in a period of three years, all on August 22nd.[citation needed] The spirit or "ghost" of Rebecca Quick has in a few cases, disturbed the staff and campers.[citation needed] Rebecca Quick lived on the property of camp Tel Yehudah until her disappearance sometime in the late 19th century.[citation needed]
Tel Yehudah used to have four sessions: Regular (now called Alumim) - where first time campers learned about Jewish history. Ulpan - where campers learned Hebrew through songs, Israeli folk-dances, and conversation, Machon - leadership training, and Machoneh Avodah (affectionately called M.A.), where campers lived in the tents, prepared their own meals, grew vegetables, and milked cows. M.A. was supposed to simulate life on a kibbutz. Later, M.A. was changed to "Machaneh Hachshira" (M.H.).
Currently, the different age groups are Alumim (rising 9th graders learn about general Jewish and Zionist history), Yachad (rising 10th graders take part in programs centered around the importance of togetherness and community), and Hadracha (rising 11th graders learn how to be successful leaders). Each group has different trips: Alumim goes rafting and to New York City, Yachad has Special Interest Week (campers (chanichim) choose to go biking, backpacking, kayaking, or to New York City, where they take part in social action), and Hadracha goes to Washington, D.C. for a "Day on the Hill."
In 2008, a British delegation from Young Judaea's sister-movement FZY attended Camp Tel Yehuda's second session. This group, which was called Hanhaga, consisted of thirty 16-17 year old teenagers from across the Atlantic Ocean. Despite conflicting patriotism between the British group and American hosts, the visiting delegation integrated with ease and are unlikely to be forgotten any time soon.
Seniors in high school can apply to work at camp. There are positions such as babysitters, kitchen help, logistics and office staff.
Each summer, campers put on plays. They say the ha-motzi before eating meals, and sing the Birkat Hamazon afterwards. They often sing songs out of the Young Judaea shiron-a book of Jewish songs and prayers- and dance around the Hadar Ochel (dining hall).
[edit] See also
Young Judaea
Machon
Hadassah
Judaism
kibbutz
zionism
[edit] Links
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