HADAS AND DORICE HORENSTEIN team up to bring a community-wide winter camp to Portland

Winter camp returns Dec. 24-27

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2008-11-15T00:00:00

The community-wide Young Judaea Winter Camp for students in first through eighth grade returns to Congregation Shaarie Torah Dec. 24-27.

Last year’s winter camp was the brain child of Hadas Horenstein who drew on her experiences at Young Judaea’s high school leadership camp in New York. A lifelong Jewish camper, she teamed up with her mother, Dorice Horenstein, who is the education director at Congregation Shaarie Torah, to create the winter camp.

“I spent the summer in Israel and that made me realize how important it was to continue the camp this year,” said Hadas. “I saw the impact I had on the kdis last year and if they continue on the same path I did and get involved then my work is done.”

Since Hadas plans to spend next year in Israel on the Young Judaea Year Course, she won’t be around to help with a third year of winter camp.

Dorice said she considers her role to be to provide “a venue for leadership to take place.”

Though the camp is co-hosted by Shaarie Torah and Young Judaea, it is open to the entire community.

“It’s open to anybody who loves Israel and who wants to explore Judaism,” said Dorice.

Last year 35 campers attended. There is room for 60 years years. Cost remains the same: $160 for one camper or $300 for two siblings.

The camp meets 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday with special Shabbat programming on Saturday.

The theme of this year’s camp is “Kol Yisrael Chaverim—All Israel are friends.” Programming will include exploration of different cultural groups who have made aliyah, including Yemenite, Ethiopian and eastern European. Food, traditions and music from the different cultures “that make up the melting pot of Israel” will introduce campers to the tapestry of Israel.

“That’s what makes Israel so beautiful,” said Hadas.
For registration and more information, contact Dorice Horenstein at 503-226-6131 ext. 229 or via email at education@shaarietorah.org.