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Friday January 19, 2007

Jewish camp fair comes to East Bay and Palo Alto

by dan pine
staff writer

If Tali Lipschitz had her way, Bay Area Jewish kids would be sent away.

To summer camp, that is.

And it doesn’t matter to her which camp, as long as it’s a Jewish one.

Lipschitz is one of the organizers of the 2007 Summer Camp and Programs Fair, sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s Israel Center, and held this year in the East Bay for the first time.

The free event takes place Sunday afternoon, Jan. 28, at the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center in Walnut Creek. That same morning, the fair sets up shop in Palo Alto’s Albert J. Schultz Jewish Community Center to meet with South Bay families.

Why the East Bay? “This year [the Israel Center] was looking for a new location,” says Lipschitz. “I jumped on it and said ‘Why not?’ Local families no longer have to travel to San Francisco or Palo Alto to learn about the exciting choices.”

Families will hear first-hand about more than 50 options for summer fun, from H2OX (an extreme sports camp in Israel) to volunteer programs in Israel.

Local overnight camps –– including Camp Tawonga, Camp Swig and Camp Newman –– will set up tables, as will day camps like Berkeley’s Camp Kee Tov, the Contra Costa JCC and several Chabad-run camps. East Bay Jewish day schools like Tehiyah, Oakland Hebrew Day School and Contra Costa Jewish Day School will also send representatives.

Children’s entertainment and other special activities will be offered throughout the day, and there will be drawing for a free session at Camp Kimama in Israel or a family camp weekend at Camp Tawonga.

Lipschitz has a special affinity for the Israeli camps. A native Israeli herself, she leads the annual Let’s Go teen trip to Israel for the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. Lipschitz knows about the many opportunities awaiting American Jewish kids in Israel.

“There are basketball camps,” she says, “a surfing camp in Herzliyah, a peace camp called Seeking Common Ground. There are even horseback riding camps and science fun camps.”

As for Lipschitz, she will have a booth, too, promoting her summer teen trip.

The Summer Camp and Programs Fair will take place 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. For information, contact Tali Lipschitz, (510) 839-2900 ext. 255, email tali@jfed.org or online at www.jfed.org.

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