“Where I’m From”
by Rhys Ivan As a senior in high school, I have the opportunity to take a number of elective courses in addition to my core classes. One of these classes is a Contemporary Issues class, focused on educating high school students on discrimination and prejudice in order...
Sukkot in December? Celebrate Life. Celebrate Music. Support Ethan.
by Rabbi Mark CovitzDirector One of the greatest successes of this past summer at Goldman Union Camp Institute is, very simply, that the summer was a great success. The challenges presented by the June 29th lightning strike were many, and were daunting. Of course, the...
“What do you do the rest of the year?”
by Joe SladeSenior Assistant Director "What do you do the rest of the year?" This is a question I am frequently asked, particularly in August and September, once the camp season has drawn to a close. The truth of the matter is that the year-round staff at GUCI is busy...
Rituals and Traditions
Dear Parents, As we come to the end of Kallah Bet, and the end of summer 2013 at GUCI, I can’t help but be proud of all that has been accomplished here this summer. One of the most important parts of this camp’s mission is the building of Jewish identity; and so I am...
Where Judaism Can Take Me
Goldman Union Camp Institute August 1, 2013 Cabin 7: Where Judaism Can Take Me OPENING SONG The Barchu is the beginning and preparation for services. Judaism has prepared me for living a good, Jewish life. From the very first day of camp my first year to now, I have...
How Judaism Connects Us As a Unit
Goldman Union Camp Institute August 2, 2013 Cabin 17: How Judaism Connects Us As a Unit Mah Tovu pg 192 [Part redacted by wish of camper] Please turn to page two hundred and twenty six and rise for the Barchu. Barchu pg 226 Jews have been spread across the world...
The Long Road Home
By Ari Kalfus Communications Specialist It is with a heavy heart that I say “Shalom, GUCI family!” for the final time this summer. As I finish my last few projects, I want to take the time to thank all of you for reading our blog and following us on social...
What Makes a Good Friend
Goldman Union Camp Institute July 31, 2013 Cabin 2: What Makes a Good Friend OPENING SONG I love my friends that I make at GUCI. My first year at camp I had an invitation. I was scared but I made new friends on the way and I really am sad when I leave camp. I like...
How We Create a Jewish Community
Goldman Union Camp Institute July 23, 2013 Cabin 14: How We Create a Jewish Community OPENING SONG The Barchu is an invitation to prayer. Ever since I can remember, GUCI has been the most inviting place in my life. Even the Jewish community of GUCI grows when people...
Final Night
By Ari Kalfus Communications Specialist Shabbat Shalom, GUCI family! By the time you read this, we will be in the midst of another incredible Shabbat experience. This begins, as always, with our Shabbat Walk, which starts near the office and continues around...
Blessings in Our Lives
Goldman Union Camp Institute July 27, 2013 Cabin 15: Blessings in Our Lives Bar Mitzvah ceremony of Kaden Hanks Mah Tovu page 192 Our theme this Saturday morning is “blessings in our life.” This can be physical or mental. A blessing in my life is when I got my...
Recycling is Back at GUCI!
By Josia KleinMachon Counselor Less than a week ago, two Shoresh campers (Cabin 4’s Emma Z. and Ellie K.) decided they wanted to make a change at camp; they noticed a lack of available recycling and green-awareness at GUCI. [Editor’s Note: Camp recycles all of...
What We Can Learn From Chutzpa
Goldman Union Camp Institute July 30, 2013 Cabin 13: What We Can Learn From Chutzpa OPENING SONG [Part redacted by wish of camper] Barchu When God was creating the universe, he must have had a lot of chutzpa. To separate night and day and to create the universe in...
The CG-GUCI Pen Pal Series
By Jane Harris-Koblin and Ari Kalfus Camp George and GUCI Communication Specialists Greg is a Cabin 18 camper from Goldman Union Camp Institute, the oldest boys cabin. He has been coming to camp for 6 years! Shelby is in Cabin B6 at Camp George, and has been coming to...
Broader Visions
By Jake KlingensmithGeza Head CounselorThis is my fourth summer as a counselor at GUCI, and over the years I’ve had a lot of time to figure out what my role as a counselor is and what kind of counselor I want to be. I’ve spent three years at Carnegie Mellon, a school...