Reflections on a Jewish Summer Camp Experience

Growing up, like many American Jewish kids, I attended a Jewish summer camp. It was a time filled with fun activities—archery, canoeing, crafts, and yes, even my first kiss. I can’t quite recall the exact years, though I think I went for two or maybe three consecutive summers.

Alongside the usual Jewish cultural activities—songs, dances, and crafts—we engaged in some historical role-playing, which I found intriguing.

One such role-playing activity involved a scenario where campers had to “escape from the Nazis.” Counselors played the role of Nazis, while we, the children, portrayed European Jews, navigating our way to a safe zone without being captured.

Looking back now as a parent, I question the wisdom of such reenactments. Learning about the Holocaust in a straightforward manner seemed sufficient to me. However, everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I don’t believe any harm was done.

Yet, one particular night crosses a line for me.

The camp counselors abruptly woke us early in the morning, summoning us to the cafeteria with a sense of urgency. One of the senior counselors claimed an emergency had arisen: the Arabs had obtained nuclear weapons and Israel had been destroyed.

He informed us that, akin to the Jews at Auschwitz, we had all perished, turning to ash.

We were understandably taken aback. Some kids, with family in Israel, were in tears, asking things like, “What happened to Aunt Rachel?”

This prompted the counselor to calm us down. We formed a circle, held hands, prayed, and sang songs. But then, he reassured us (in a rather bizarre twist) that Israel, in fact, was still intact and most Jews around the world had not been obliterated. However, the pointed reminder was that we should always be cautious of those who harbor hatred against us.

And just like that, we were sent back to bed. Good night, kids!

This experience was undeniably traumatic. To this day, when I hear the phrases “Arab” and “nuclear” together, that old anxiety resurfaces.

Though soon after, anger and resentment come along. What they put us through felt like brainwashing.

When I was at summer camp during the 1980s, Arab nations were far from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Today, no Arab country is close to it either.

We’ve frequently been warned by authoritative voices that Iran will have a bomb “in two weeks,” urging immediate action. Yet, years have passed, and it seems they still don’t possess one.

Interestingly, the same authoritative figures once told us to stay home for “two weeks to curb the spread of infection.” I’ve begun to think that “two weeks” might just be a common stretch of exaggeration—much like when my wife says she’ll be home in “five minutes.”

Sure, some Arab nations have secret weapons initiatives. But every competent government—including Israel—does because, well, not having one would be reckless.

Rationally speaking, one could argue that Israel was relatively safe that night. At least, it should have been, considering the hostile nations surrounding it that actually seek its destruction.

Yes, the threat Israel faces is genuine. Any Israeli would affirm this. Still, it’s a complex matter. Anyone who’s studied Middle Eastern geopolitics can attest to that.

Contemplating the Middle East

What can I say? I have a fondness for Israel. I genuinely want to see it prosper, and its people thrive. No Israeli child should be hiding from Iranian missiles or enduring violence like what occurred on October 7th. That goes for anyone, really—no one should suffer that fate.

In situations like Gaza, sometimes force may seem justifiable, while other times, it simply complicates matters further.

We often believe we can analyze these intricate issues logically. Yet, the true intent behind waking us up in the middle of the night was to replace rational thought with sheer terror.

The aim seemed to be to manipulate young minds, and for many kids, it probably succeeded.

In hindsight, I don’t remember such dramatizations happening in the later years, so perhaps parents voiced their concerns. Regardless, the disgust lingers.

This approach to educating us about a serious issue felt exceedingly counterproductive. Rather than shedding light on the genuine threats posed by anti-Semitism, it instilled in me a deep skepticism toward Zionist narratives and a mistrust of Jewish cultural institutions within America.

Now, over 35 years later, I identify as a fairly secular Jew. When I observe holidays at home, I never allow my kids to step into a synagogue or a Jewish community center.

Admittedly, I believe most individuals at these centers mean well and would never purposely traumatize a child. Still, the risks can’t be ignored.

Self-righteous zealots exist, and not just within the Jewish community. They show up wherever there’s a political cause—be it environmentalism, socialism, or LGBTQ+ advocacy. They’re everywhere, and they can be dangerous. I think it’s wise to keep them away from children.

Years later, long after camp, I found myself at a party where I met a woman working for the parent organization of my childhood summer camp.

After sharing my camp experiences, she politely asked if I’d like to join—a thinly veiled request for a donation. When I declined and explained the cafeteria incident, her face drained of color.

It was clear she knew we weren’t supposed to discuss things like that. Awkwardly, she muttered that they no longer engaged in “experiential learning.”

That’s what they called it—experiential learning. Quite the euphemism, if you ask me. I believe many papers have explored this concept. But whether they genuinely don’t employ such practices anymore is debatable.

Perhaps they’ve just found more effective ways to instill their beliefs. They’ve discovered manipulative tactics in the media.

Media Strategies

Having spent much of my adult life in the media, I was aware of these tactics, but a recent federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center highlighted them.

Similar to unscrupulous tire shops littering roads with nails to cause flats, one might speculate that groups like the SPLC would fund neo-Nazis and other hate groups to incite violence, thereby reinforcing their narrative of “fighting hate.”

For instance, the SPLC reportedly funded organizers of the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

How many lives were shattered that day? Countless, I imagine.

I was nearly one of them, watching from afar as mainstream media displayed scenes of American blood spilled on the streets.

And just as I detest bloodshed in Israel, I have the same aversion to it here at home. Yet, something felt amiss. The media portrayal of Charlottesville was overly simplistic—a morality tale of good versus evil. But, like the complexities of the Middle East, it wasn’t that straightforward.

The so-called “organizers” were almost caricatures, leading me to feel that something was manufactured—there was a disjoint in the narrative.

Much like that camp counselor wasn’t being genuine either.

Reflecting on Charlottesville, along with other media narratives like Russiagate, January 6th, and the COVID-19 misinformation, it all shares a common thread. Though those camp counselors may have grown up, their self-righteous motives remain unchanged. They want to incite fear, to prevent independent thought.

So, if you encounter something alarming in the media, pause and reflect. You can still care, but discern the motive behind the manipulation.

The more they incite panic, the more you should question the intent. Likely, what you’re observing is just another form of “experiential learning.” And it might be best to disregard it.