Girls Retreat Gets Underway

Written by the Creative Writing Club at JGR

The Jewish Girls Retreat, located in Troy, NY, is off to a great start this summer. This year’s retreat brings over 85 campers of all Jewish backgrounds from as far as Panama, Alaska, and Denver.

This summer’s theme is “Sing Your Song”, expressing the idea that although the girls are all different, and each have their own “song”, they can come together to create a beautiful symphony. “Every camper is part of the JGR family,” said Tamar Lilienthal, age 12, from Florida. “The emphasis on unity is something that makes JGR special.”

The theme also encourages each girl to find her own unique “song” – her personal connection to Judaism. This idea is brought out through camp activities such as a songwriting workshop by singer and songwriter Sheira Brayer, where each girl shared what the title of her “life song” would be. Throughout the summer the campers are studying the ten songs that were sung throughout Jewish history, culminating with the song of Moshiach.

Although the girls are constantly being fed valuable life lessons, there is always time for fun. The days have been packed with swimming, white water rafting, a Shaindel Antelis concert, berry picking, hiking, a mall hunt, and more. In addition to trips, talented professionals teach art clubs such as painting, ceramics, knitting, graphic design, beading, and creative writing.

One of the most popular activities is the annual production that lets girls shine. This year the camp is producing a movie based on the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook, featuring three miracle stories of holocaust survivors. Each story is accompanied by song and dance. “The camp movie allows girls to express themselves and feel that they have amazing talents to add,” said Chaya Libman, age 12, from NY.

“JGR is a place where all girls connect and unite as one,” said Rafi Kapitanker, age 12, from NJ. The Jewish Girls Retreat, directed by Rabbi Avraham and Nechama Laber, provides an inspiring and life-changing summer to many girls, regardless of their financial situation. This year no one was turned away because of their financial situation. To help cover the costs of so many scholarship campers, JGR is running a scholarship auction with at $10,000 prize, which ends Tuesday night. For more information and to purchase a raffle ticket to support JGR visit www.jgrraffle.com.