Blog

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 28, 2013 Cabin 12: How We Can Be Heroes OPENING SONG The Barchu is the preparation to pray, just like batter is to crumb cake. Our service theme today is “How to be a hero.” You can be a hero by making a difference in the causes you...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 26, 2013 Cabin 6: Where We Find Judaism L’chu N’ranana page 130 L’chu n’ranana l’Adonai Naria l’tzur yisheinu Go forth singing songs of joy to God! We will shout to the rock of salvation! Let us sing out to God, maker of all sure and...

By Ari Kalfus Communications Specialist Shalom, GUCI family! One of the highlights of a summer at GUCI is the two times a session when your cabin has Bunk Night. They are always surprises; counselors break Bunk Night to their campers in various ways, but usually in a...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 25, 2013 Cabin 5: What We Are Searching For OPENING SONG Three years ago was when I first came to camp and I’ve got to admit, I was pretty scared. It was my first time at a sleep away camp. My first time not sleeping in my room. And...

WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS, AND WHERE IT LEADS… (But never ends) Dear Parents, We learn from the story in Genesis of Abraham welcoming strangers into his tent that hospitality is a great mitzvah. We have several holidays (Sukkot, Pesach, and Shabbat among them) that are...

By Rick Keitel Project Director Shalom! My name is Rich Keitel. Here is an update on how Project Kallah Bet is going… A quick rundown of my background. I am a full tenured professor of theatre at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. I am also a professional director...

By Rachel LyonPool Director Shalom! My name is Rachel Lyon, and I am the pool director this summer. I started going to camp in 2001 as a Garin camper, and I have gone every year since. This is my fourth summer on staff at GUCI! Counselors Hannah Banks, Rachel Houser,...

D’varim By Rabbi Melinda M. Mersack Here we are beginning the fifth and final book of the Torah, D’varim or Deuteronomy.  At this point, Moses and the Israelites are standing across the Jordan River looking towards the Land of Israel.  Moses knows that he will not be...

Goldman Union Camp Institute Havdallah: July 20, 2013 Geza Worship Chug Opening Songs Havdallah is a transition from Shabbat to the rest of the week. My most recent transition was coming here to camp, GUCI. When I first got on the bus I was so nervous that I dropped...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 24, 2013 Cabin 1: Respect and Judaism OPENING SONG Barchu The Ma’ariv Aravim means that we are thanking God for the earth and all of its wonderful contents. I think of the world as not for humans.  I think the humans are just...

Earlier this summer I contacted Ron Klotz, former long-time director of Goldman Union Camp, for information on the GUCI campfire. Every Friday night for as long as I can remember (and, according to Ron, for long before I was born), all of camp has gathered in our...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 22, 2013 Cabin 18: Forks in the Road   OPENING SONG An invitation. An invitation can be from someone, to you, from you, or even to pray. The Barchu is an invitation to yourself to pray and to get us ready to pray. G-d is deserving of...

By Josh KleymeyerSports Specialist My name is Josh Kleymeyer, and this will be my fifth summer as a staff member at GUCI. This past year, I was working as an Elementary School computer teacher. This summer, I am excited to lead and improve upon the sports program here...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 20, 2013 Cabin 9: The Image Between the Lines Mah Tovu Our service theme is “Image Between the Lines.” I feel like the first few days of camp play a role in the whole session. It is important because by not judging your cabin mates is...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 16, 2013 Cabin 11: How Judaism Makes Us Better OPENING SONG Being Jewish has bettered me by allowing me to understand others and their religions. Being Jewish, I’ve learned patience and passion. These are two ways being Jewish helped...