Summer vacation is the perfect time to reconnect with your family and all things Jewish
As a kid growing up, I used to love this time of year… Counting down the days to when school’s out and looking ahead to a summer of possibilities. And as I’ve gotten older and spent many years as a Camp Director, I used to get the same feeling. The excitement and the adrenaline of knowing that the days ahead would be far better than the ones spent either in the classroom or working behind a desk (at least for several weeks as I was running camp).
I have also related summer to the essence of what Shabbat is… a day to take a break from routine… the mundane… and reset. Summer vacation is very similar in that it gives children an opportunity to recharge their batteries and relax, with very few cares in life to worry about. Although it can cause scheduling issues for parents, summer also provides a break from the regular school year shlepping. And, oftentimes, families get to spend more time together to connect, possibly even eat dinner together.
Like many of you, now that I am a full-fledged adult (meaning I no longer run summer camps), I have to find different ways to recharge my batteries and enjoy the days in June, July, and August.
And it is during this time I’m always curious as to what people choose to do that is Jewish during the summer. For some people, there’s no change in their regular Jewish activities since it is something they always do, regardless of the season. Others make it a point to seek out and visit the Jewish sites near where they are vacationing. Some people use the summer to catch up on their reading and make it a point to read a book about or written by Jews. (By the way, if you are looking for some great summer reads and didn’t get a chance to read the books featured in our 2024 Jewish Book Festival, click this link to see the festival brochure.)
Other suggestions include watching a Jewish show (or movie), making a signature Jewish recipe (if you’re looking for ideas, check out our Jewish Cooking Connection videos to be inspired), visiting a museum like the Skirball Cultural Center, or visiting a classic Jewish deli and ordering knishes, matzah ball soup, or a corned beef on rye sandwich (and don’t forget the pickle).
Whatever you decide to do, please send us an email at federation@jewishsgpv.org to share what Jewish activities you or your family did or are planning to do. We will share these ideas in an upcoming issue of JLife magazine and/or in a biweekly email message to the community. Maybe you’ll find a new idea or something you never considered.
In either case, let’s make sure that each of us commits to doing something Jewish this summer. And remember, just because you are an adult does not mean that you cannot enjoy summer as well… it just means you don’t get to go to summer camp.
