Developing Ahavat Yisrael (a Love of Israel) at Beber Camp: Connecting with Israel and More

As we celebrate Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, this month, it's a perfect time to focus on one of our core Jewish values: Ahavat Yisrael, or "Love of Israel." This value is especially important to us at Beber Camp, where we prioritize instilling a love and connection to Israel in our campers and staff. In Israel, Tu B’Shevat celebrates the beginning of Spring and the development of the landscape of Israel through the planting of trees.

Connecting with Israel at Beber Camp

At Beber Camp, we bring Israeli staff members to camp each summer to help us connect with Israel. Through weekly Israeli dancing on Shabbat and our annual "Israel Day" celebration, we integrate learning and connection to Israel into our daily activities. However, beyond just our programs and activities, it's the relationships that our campers and staff build with our Israeli staff members that genuinely help them develop Ahavat Yisrael.

In addition, our Pioneer program for 11th graders includes a three-week trip to Israel, where they tour the country, learn about its history and culture, and experience life in Israel. This trip is the highlight of the program, and it's often a life-changing experience for our participants.

Making Israel Feel Like Home

At Beber Camp, we want our campers to feel a deep connection to Israel, and to feel that it's truly their homeland. While we love it when campers say that Beber Camp is their "home away from home," we're even more thrilled when our Pioneer program participants return from Israel and tell us that it's where they felt truly at home.

Why It Matters

Why is it so important to develop a love and connection to Israel? As the homeland of the Jewish people, Israel is a central part of our history, culture, and identity. By connecting with Israel, we can better understand our place in the world and our relationship to the Jewish community, both in Israel and around the globe. Additionally, a love for Israel can inspire us to work toward a better future for the country and its people.