Emlen follows family tradition of aiding camp

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2009-02-15T00:00:00

Books and camp have special significance for 12-year-old Ariella Emlen—they are two of her loves and they reflect the passions of her grandparents.

Emlen has asked those who celebrate with her as she becomes a bat mitzvah Feb. 21 to bring books to re-establish the library at Camp Solomon Schechter. Her grandfather Rabbi Joshua Stampfer founded the camp in 1954. And her grandmother Goldie Stampfer has volunteered to read to schoolchildren in SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) every year since the program began.

“Ariella’s favorite things are books and camp,” said her mother Elana Emlen, who serves on the camp’s board of directors. “You don’t often get to combine those.”

“I like to read and I’ve gone to camp every year since second grade,” said Ariella.

The camp library was damaged several years ago when sprinklers accidentally went off in the building.

Stampfer said he is very proud of his granddaughter “for just about everything she does.” He said collecting books to restart the library is especially meaningful.

“To me a library is always important,” he said. “I regard a synagogue library as one of the most important things we have. The emphasis we place on learning is books.”

He added that when he met his future wife Goldie at Brandeis Camp, “We made use of their wonderful library.”

Ariella said she hopes people go through their books and bring those they no longer read.

“Used is better,” she said. “They know the books are good.”

The camp library will include books for youth in third through 12th grade.

“Ariella’s project exemplifies what is special about camp,” said CSS Executive Director Sam Perlin. “Campers learn the true value of a mitzvah and what it means to give back to a community.”

“Through three generations, Ariella’s family has been instrumental to the formation of the mission of Camp Solomon Schechter. This family truly understands the impact that Jewish summer camp has on our youth.”

Emlen said that this year she has really seen the bonds her daughter has formed with campers from all over the region. She said many of the campers are spending this year traveling to each other’s b’nai mitzvot.

Stampfer said he often sees people from out of town attending a bar or bat mitzvah of a fellow camper.

“And later on the weddings,” he added. “A lot of them met at camp. I keep hearing of new ones all the time. Camp creates lifelong connections.”

Ariella also plans to donate 18 percent of her bat mitzvah gift money to camp.

Anyone wishing to donate books to the camp, may drop them off at Congregation Neveh Shalom, where Stampfer serves as rabbi emeritus.