They came for more than just the s’mores and shakshuka. For the 20 Israeli young adults who joined with hundreds of their American Jewish peers at three multi-day sleepaway camp experiences, they were there to recharge, make friends and have a little fun in the process. Run by Trybal Gatherings, this was the first time Israelis had a chance to participate, building connections to last a lifetime.
“Camp gave me the chance to truly feel part of a community,” said Israeli Nir Zachar. “After such a challenging year, coming together to celebrate our lives and our Judaism was exactly what I needed. Trybal offers a unique and powerful opportunity to connect with yourself, with others and with our shared heritage.”
Israeli Boaz Lavon said that “going to Trybal was a great experience for me, giving me a real break from my time in the Israel Defense Forces and a chance to meet amazing people. The camp showed a new way to bring Jewish communities together, making it especially important in these times. It was also a fun experience with diverse opportunities to try new things and step out of your comfort zone. I made strong friendships and felt a deeper connection to the Jewish community in the U.S.”
From an applicant pool of more than 300, some 20 Israelis were selected to be “campers” at Camp Chi in the Wisconsin Dells and Eisner Camp in the Berkshire Mountains. They led programs with and for their peers, including Krav Maga, a Moroccan henna workshop and life as Moroccan Jews, an IDF Basic Training Boot Camp, serving as color war captains, discussions on growing up Orthodox and now living a secular life, on being a female commander in the army and on the situation in Israel right now during a multifront war.
Stacy and Matt Kaplan of Milwaukee enjoyed the Wisconsin Dells camp so much that they also attended Trybal in the Berkshires. “Being able to connect with the Israelis and learn about their experiences has been eye-opening and makes camp more fulfilling,” they said.
Ben Warshaw of Harwich, Mass., who went to the Berkshires camp, said “previously, when comparing Trybal with my childhood summers at camp, the single missing element was Israelis. Having Israeli counselors was key to my developing a strong connection with Israel from an early age. By including a sizable delegation this summer, Trybal Gatherings has bridged that gap and taken the experience to a new level.”
Carine Warsawski, head of Trybal Gatherings, noted that the timing of the last camp coincided with the news of the murdered hostages earlier this month. She said that the tragic news made the connections developed at camp that much more profound and authentic.
“We saw the Israelis and Americans comforting each other in grief and pain. Even if our American participants haven’t visited Israel in years—or ever—they developed a closeness to Israel and Israelis, especially at this moment. This is how we strengthen the relationship between our People and support each other.”
The Israelis previously participated on Birthright trips, and some are licensed Birthright tour guides. But this was their first opportunity to be in an immersive mifgash—a “meeting” experience—themselves, serving as cultural ambassadors.
“This camp was everything I imagined it to be and more. I was excited to have fun and meet new people, but I did not expect to create a new family,” said Israeli Ariel Sidi. “Seeing the strong community and connections this camp symbolizes was simply magical, and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of that. I experienced what life is like for Jewish people in America, through stories and deep conversations I had with amazing people, and I got to share my story as well. I hope we brought joy and a new perspective to Trybal camps.”
Maayan Snapir, whose grandmother, Yochevet Lifshitz, 85, was released from the Gaza Strip in late October after nearly three weeks in captivity and whose grandfather, 86-year-old Oded Lifshitz, has been held hostage there since Oct. 7, said that “Trybal Camp is a place to breathe, to laugh and to enjoy being a part of a loving community. There’s magic and glitter everywhere—on your face for color war, in your tie-dye shirt, and especially in everyone’s eyes and smiles. It feels like home.”
