Camp L’man Achai Kicks Off 26th Summer with Jewish Pride

Camp L’man Achai, a vibrant overnight summer camp nestled in the Catskill Mountains, opened its gates last week to boys from over 20 states and 10 countries around the world. The camp, which caters primarily to children from non-religious or unaffiliated backgrounds, launched its 26th summer season with an unforgettable first week full of joy, connection, and Jewish pride.

After a three-day intensive staff training, excitement reached a fever pitch last Tuesday as campers arrived from New York City and Newark Airport. Welcomed with music, dancing, and endless smiles, the boys were immediately immersed into the warm and energetic camp spirit.

Camp life went into full swing from the start, with sports, activities, and swimming filling the schedule. Meanwhile, the learning directors got to work right away, meeting one-on-one with each camper to gauge their current knowledge of Judaism. Based on these interviews, each camper was placed in a learning group best suited to their background and level.

Only two days into the summer, Camp L’man Achai celebrated the bar mitzvah of one of its campers—a moving milestone shared with the entire camp community. The boy’s parents and grandparents joined for the special occasion, and the celebration included singing, dancing, and heartfelt speeches in the dining room.

That evening, campers were treated to a special concert with Jewish music star Yossi Rodal. The concert was electrifying, campers sang, danced, and celebrated in a high-energy environment that deepened their pride and connection to their yiddishkeit.

Friday began with a hands-on challah bake, kicking off the Shabbos atmosphere. Many of the boys, some of whom were experiencing their very first traditional Shabbos, were introduced to its beauty in a meaningful and experiential way. Campers learned about the lamed tes melachos—and participated in spirited meals and songs that made Shabbos come alive.

Sunday brought an especially meaningful moment when Chaplain Major Rabbi Goldfarb, a recent IDF active-duty serviceman, visited the camp. He shared powerful stories from his 600-day deployment, including the events following October 7th. His talk stirred emotion and pride among the campers, many of whom were hearing about the IDF and Israel’s defense efforts firsthand for the first time.

The next day, campers hiked through the breathtaking trails of the Upper Catskills, bonding with their counselors and taking in the scenery. At the same time, teens in the older division set off for a special overnight trip that began at Yeshiva Gedolah of Suffield, Connecticut. There, they got a taste of yeshiva life—learning one-on-one with bochurim, joining them in sports, and experiencing the unique atmosphere of Torah learning in action. As always, the yeshiva boys won the basketball game—giving campers a memorable lesson that Torah and sports can go hand in hand.

That night, the teens had the opportunity to engage in a lively “Stump the Rabbi” session with Rabbi Yaffe from Massachusetts, asking everything from deep philosophical questions to curious, practical ones.

On Tuesday, the entire camp reunited for an all-day trip to Six Flags New England. Campers proudly wore their kippahs and tzitzis, walking through the park with visible Jewish pride. Even more remarkable, many of them—who just a week ago knew little about Judaism—approached strangers asking, “Are you Jewish?” and offered them the chance to put on tefillin. Several individuals had their first-ever bar mitzvah moment right there in the amusement park, thanks to the initiative and inspiration of these campers.

From sports to song, learning to laughter, the first week of Camp L’man Achai was packed with experiences that strengthened Jewish identity, built lifelong friendships, and created memories to last a lifetime. And with many more weeks ahead, the summer is only just beginning.