Interfaith Families, Transgender Campers, and More
Sci-Tech is proud of our open, supportive and inclusive environment. The make-up of the URJ and our programs is as diverse as our population, therefore our communities represent the vibrant and colorful fabric that makes up the Reform Jewish population. Our camp and programs are inclusive and designed for everyone in our community from LGBTQ+ to children with single, same-sex or interfaith parents, to children of color, and to children who have varied learning and social abilities.
We hope that our campers and staff strengthen their self-esteem, Jewish identity, and connection to the Jewish community through the supportive nature of our people, staff, and programs.
We are committed to building a vibrant community rooted in Jewish values and bringing the transformative power of Jewish summer camp to every child and family who joins our community. From our policies to our programs and camp norms, we strive to reflect the URJ’s and our camps’ core values:
Kehillah Kedoshah – A Holy Community
We are a sacred community, responsible for one another.
V’ahavta L’reyecha – Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself
We should behave towards one another with love and kindness.
Hachnasat Orchim – Welcome the Stranger
Camp is a place of “audacious hospitality,” where all who enter are celebrated.
Yichut Atsmo – Personal Growth
Camp is a uniquely transformative opportunity for young people to take risks and grow, and our job at Sci-Tech to nurture that growth.
Transgender campers & Staff
If you have questions that are not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us: 857-246-8677 or scitech@urj.org.
what does it mean to be transgender?
where do transgender campers and staff sleep?
what about privacy?
will my child be scared or confused?
what does the reform movement say about transgender people?
how do i explain transgender children and gender variance to kids?
Information for Interfaith families
Your child – any child from an interfaith family who is being raised as a Jew – has a place at our camp. For over 30 years, the Reform Movement has been at the forefront of the Jewish world ensuring a welcoming environment for interfaith families and their children.
what happens at a urj camp? what is jewish living?
Camp is fun! Our campers experience a great atmosphere, terrific activities and programs, values that come to life every day and friendships, all under eyes of our caring, responsible adult role models (some of whom either are children of interfaith families or themselves non-Jewish).
Your child, when entrusted to our camp, will experience what it is like to live in a completely Jewish environment. This complete absorption into the rhythms and calendar of Jewish living gives each child a fuller appreciation of the richness of their Jewish identity and heritage. They are taught the values of charity, justice and kindness. Experience has shown that they will bring these values home.
Shabbat is a big event at camp. The entire camp comes together, dressed in white as one family, on Friday evening, for dinner, services, song and dance. Campers experience the fullness of a Shabbat celebration both spiritually and culturally.
Each child’s pride in their Jewish identity is nurtured, while respect for those of other beliefs is also strongly encouraged.
will my child feel isolated or different because one parent is not jewish?
will it be a problem if my child had limited or no knowledge of hebrew?
will my child feel embarrassed if they do not know how to do something jewish?
when my child returns home, will they be less comfortable with my not being jewish?
Resources
Here are some resources for your own education that can help equip you to talk to your children before camp.
Books for Adults
- Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper, The Transgender Child
- Nicholas Teich, Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue
- Andrew Solomon, Far from the Tree
- Joy Ladin, Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey between Genders|
- Noach Dzmura, Balancing on the Mechitza: Transgender in Jewish Community
books for children
- Rachel Gold, Being Emily [middle school and older]
- Jennifer Carr, Be Who You Are [young children]