Blog

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...

“Shiru l’Adonai shir chadash; shiru l’Adonai kol ha’aretz” Sing a new song to God; all the earth sing to God.  – Psalm 96 Dear Parents, Goldman Union Camp Institute is defined by so many different components that go into making it such a special community, and we take...

Goldman Union Camp Institute July 18, 2013 Cabin 3: How Music Affects Prayer OPENING SONG When you turn your radio on in the car, you’re ready to sing. It’s the same with the Barchu. You know you’re ready to pray when you say it. I feel music helps me pray because I...

By Rich KeitelProject Director 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 and equity actor with over 100 productions to my credit. This summer, I will be...

Goldman Union Camp Institute June 24, 2013 Cabin 5: Jewish Dreams OPENING SONG Judaism is an endless sea of dreams. Reoccurring themes of peace and forever praising God are ever-present amongst countless prayers and writings of Judaism. In the Bar’chu, it says...

Goldman Union Camp Institute June 19th, 2013 Cabin 17: Holy Moments  OPENING SONG Holiness is a term that has a different meaning to everyone. I feel holy when I step onto the grounds of GUCI when the humid air swiftly touches my face. But the most holy time in my...

By Ben Diamond and Melanie AbzugTikkun Olam Specialists First started in the summer of 2004, Tikkun Olam is our community service project here at GUCI to help “mend the world.” Each morning during Roll Call, all of camp gathers to sing three songs. The first is Modeh...

By Ari KalfusCommunications Specialist Shalom, GUCI family! If you are following us on Twitter, then you know that yesterday was Shoresh Day Off! SDO is a day for Shoresh to be together as a unit and to have a huge amount of fun. The theme for this SDO is “mad...

Cabin 4 Service: Saving the World Goldman Union Camp Institute June 17, 2013 Opening Song Tonight our service theme is saving the world. It only takes one person to lead in the Bar’chu and only one person to make a difference in the world. So saving the world is a...

June 16th, 2013 Cabin 14 Service: Feeling Like a Community Opening Song Our community is big, but I don’t feel like I’m left out. The theme of our service is feeling like a community. There are not a lot of Jews in my community at home; in fact, it is only my family....