Campers2gether campers creating a bunk tallit for Shabbat t’filah blessings. Courtesy: URJ Greene Family Camp 

By Allison Teegardin  

In July, 26 Israeli teenagers who were displaced when their community Kibbutz Zikim was attacked on October 7, were welcomed to URJ Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas for much needed respite. Campers2Gether was an international program made possible by the Jewish Agency for Israel and locally by the combined efforts of the Jewish Federation of Dallas, Jewish Federation of San Antonio, Jewish Federation of Houston and Shalom Austin, the Jewish Federation in Austin. The four Federations provided just under $100,000 to support bringing the program to Central Texas.    

The idea formed in early 2024 when The Jewish Agency for Israel was exploring ways to support teenagers displaced from the October 7 attacks. Like the existing JAFI program Partnership2Gether which connects Jewish communities around the world, Campers2Gether worked with established partnership communities to bring Israeli campers to Jewish summer camps in partnership regions. Not only did this program bring distant communities together, it also reunited some of the teens. Greene Family Camp Director Rabbi Erin Mason said that for some, this was their first time seeing their friends and being together since October 7.  

When asked to describe the events of October 7 and how staying at the camp helped them, one camper responded, “October 7th was a traumatic experience for me and since then we have lived in a constant state of war. The opportunity to leave the country and escape from what happened to the camp in a safe place and disconnect from the war (also from phones and news), to truly enjoy and have a unique experience was an amazing opportunity for me and I am glad I took it.”  

Along with a staff dedicated to running Campers2Gether at Greene Family Camp, the organizers went the extra mile to ensure that the teens would feel at home while away at camp. “We wanted to make sure they felt special, welcomed and included,” said Rabbi Mason. “We provided enhancements such as outside food and welcome bags assembled by lay leaders.”   

Onsite Israeli social workers provided by the Jewish Agency for Israel were also available to support the campers during their stay. Allowing for time to decompress after a full day of fully integrated activities with the other campers, the Campers2Gether campers lived on their own in separate cabins, one for boys and one for girls. 

After the final activity of the two-week program, the campers spent the night saying goodbye to their new friends. Rabbi Mason shared with The Jewish Outlook that the campers didn’t want to separate and on the final night they presented a sign they made to give thanks and gratitude, leaving a memorable mark. 

Since this was the first time anything like this has taken place at Greene Family Camp, Rabbi Mason said they weren’t sure what to expect and they were hoping for the best and it turned out so amazing. 

Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus was at Greene Family Camp during the Campers2Gether stay. Sharing a video of the campers stepping off the bus and entering camp, he posted on his Facebook page on July 12, “Shalom from sabbatical! As part of my part of my summer routine, I spend a week at URJ Greene Family Camp as faculty. This year is especially meaningful. In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, and the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, Shalom Austin worked with URJ Greene Family Camp and Camp Young Judaea – Texas to bring teens directly from the communities directly impacted by October 7 to camp. A special thank you to Camper 2Gether by The Jewish Agency for Israel for making this happen!  

“On Wednesday, over 25 teens arrived from Kibbutz Zikim to URJ Greene Family Camp. It was an emotional moment as they stepped off the bus to be joyously welcomed. The campers are doing great! As we approach the first Shabbat of second session at Greene, we are filled with such meaning and purpose as we come together. Shabbat Shalom and Am Yisrael Chai!”