In the cold corners of Latham, in the NY Capital District, a banquet room in a quiet hotel was alive and afire with a blazing energy and youthful warmth this past Motzei Shabbos. Circles with over 100 girls filled the room, hands on each others shoulders, dancing together to musical duo Rivka Leah Cylich and (JGR staff alumnus) Chaya Sara Weiss.
The highlight concert for the Jewish Girls 5 day Winter Retreat, open to women in the local community, was an apt culmination of the camp’s learning theme and focus: “Building the Future” – To inspire each girl to recognize her unique abilities to create and contribute to building our future with goodness and kindness. “Find inside your own song”, encouraged singer/songwriter Rivka Leah, “Sing it! Share it! The world is waiting to hear from you!”
With a variety of warm up acts from the camp creative clubs including drama, singing and dancing performances, as well as a brief sharing of learning, the evening program aptly reflected the JGR philosophy and program which melds both a focus on meaningful learning and content as well as creative development and nurturing.
JGR concluded on Sunday with a grand trip to snow tubing and many tearful goodbyes because of the meaningful bonds created in such a short time. “The friendships that grow from JGR are unique,” explains staff member Basya Yaffee, “it’s like becoming part of a family, these connections are for life.”
Standing apart from all other camp programs, JGR is unique in its inclusion of Jewish girls from all ages and walks of life, “I believe in girls bonding beyond their differences,” explains Nechama Laber, camp founder and director “each has what to give to each other – whether it be the inspiration of fresh interest in Judaism and Jewish concepts, or the ability to model by example to others, what it means to be a proud observant Jew.”
Here are some quotes from campers who shared their JGR experience.
“I feel like everyone here accepts me for who I am. I have no Jewish friends at home…sometimes I feel like an outcast…and here I belong”. “This retreat taught me what true friendship is like, and showed me that I deserve real friends. I learned that there is so much more to people than you see.”
Now in it’s 12th year running, without its own location, the Jewish Girls Retreat is finally working towards its dream of a permanent home. Their new fundraising campaign, to raise the much needed funds for a dream property in Southern Rensselaer County is underway. To help JGR build the future for so many Jewish girls and their families, please visit www.ahomeforjgr.com and contribute your part to make this dream a reality.
For more information about the summer program for girls ages 8-16, go to www.jewishgirlsretreat.com
I spot so many familiar faces from the past summer! Miss you all and wish I could’ve been there.
GO MUSHKY GREENWALD, MUSHKA HENDEL. YOCHEVED SEGAL, BASYA YAFFEE AND ALL OTHER BNOS MENACHEM STAFF!!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!! WE LOVE OUR SENIORS!!!!!
I love JGR and the Penguins!!!!! Miss you guys like crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love JGR so much and I miss all of my JGR family!!! I wish I could have come!!!!!!!!
Love
Nechama
Purple, Pinky, Pringle, Perhaps, Papa, Paul, and all the other red hot members of our awesome bunk family: MISS YOU LIKE CRAZYYY
Itty Wagner and pearla Rosenberg!!
Go Chavie R and Chava S u guys r awesome!!
Bunk one! we’re so much fun!!!!!
who wrote #33?Go bunk 3
Go Malka! 🙂
I WANNA BE IN BUNK 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love you guys so much!
Go Chana!
We are not surprised you were part of the team!
You are an amazing fun girl. May you grow from strength to strength .
Proud cousins in Los Angeles
best counselors!!
I remember you too! Come to JGR!!
Yehudis
PS: Go Penguins!
Great job bm
MG you rock!
Great job bm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love mbcm
ur so cute!
xx
Such dedication!!!!!!!!!
Go Meirah and Siavn!!!!
These beautiful are so lucky to have the opportunity to be together. Baruck Hashem.
From ur bunkmate
JGR is the most incredible, unique camp!!!
It’s the only camp I know where there is such open love, acceptance regardless of who you are, and everyone is sooo REAL!!!!
can’t wait for the summer!!
Incredible person!!!!!!
Slaya is cool.
rivky shochat!! 5771!
Love you!!!
ellie parker!!
heeyyyy!Yehudis!Not sure if you remember me, I was with you in bunk 5 in camp emunah,5770….long time no speak!
From,Zeesy
go chayaaaa
OMG best place ever!!!!!!!!
Devorah Soblick and Malka Reisner!
Menucha Herman!!!!!
Chavie Resnick!
great job again JGR!!!
Looks like lovely girls, I hope my daughter can join them summer 2014 pg
Seem like nice, normal girls, hope it always stays like this.
o my!! :):)
xxx
lsgs!!
lovely girls and seems like a lovely program
The Lipsker twins from the North Shore-amazing young Shluchos!
MICHALI AND BATYA WOOOOO HOOOOO LOOOKING GOOOOOOD!!!!!
Batya and Michali representing!!! True Bnos Chabad!!!
May your dream of having a permanent home become a reality
So please donate so that beautiful work continue and JGR expand more and more
love from Montreal