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The TAG Program for High School Students

TAG is a dynamic supplementary high school program that allows students to explore Judaism in a comfortable, sociable environment. Teens acquire a greater understanding of Jewish traditions and their relevance to today's complex society through study, reflection and discussions with their peers.

TAG, which is an acronym for Torah, Avodah, and Gimilut Hasadim (study, prayer and acts of lovingkindness) helps high school students integrate faith and life, develop Jewish values, learn skills for serving others, advocate for social change and become personally involved in projects that benefit the community. It is an exceptional program where teens gain new experiences, confront challenging ideas, volunteer in the community, build relationships with peers and instructors and develop a strong Jewish identity.

Classes are held once a week in the evening at the King David High School and include students from all over the Lower Mainland.

Rabbi Mikelberg at Camp Kalsman

Dear Temple Community,

I spent the past week at URJ Camp Kalsman as one of the Camp Rabbis and I thought that some of you might appreciate reading about some of my observations…

I asked many of the campers what their favorite aspect of camp was. Many shared with me that the people made camp so great. They described their new friends and their counselors as extended family. Others were big fans of the many activities, ranging from tower climbing to canoeing, from camp outs to mountain biking. One of my personal favorite activities was witnessing an incredible Shabbat transformation.

All day Friday I was amazed by the spirit and excitement of the 120 campers as they competed in various sports during Kalsman Maccabiah. Each camper was dressed from head to toe in their team colour – including face paint! There was the crazy dive competition and the adventure sports relay, the camp wide spelling bee and the ropes course finale. It was overwhelming to see the kids having so much fun!

And then suddenly, as the games came to a close, campers everywhere frantically cleaned and changed into their white attire, readying themselves for excitement of a different kind, that is, the celebration of Shabbat. As the sun started setting, the camp erupted into song, with melodies of cheer and hope, greeting sacred space. Shabbat activities included camp wide singing, fresh baked challah, Israeli dancing and so much more…

That evening, during services I asked the campers, “Shema means listen. What are we listening for when we recite the Shema?” I was greeted with an ocean of blank stares. I thought to myself that perhaps my question was too complicated. And then, one by one, some of the campers raised their hands.

“We’re listening to the birds who are chirping up above.”
“We’re listening to the song leaders who amaze us with their music.”
“We’re listening hard for God. God is all around us.”
I reflected that these were indeed smart campers.
I’m grateful that I was able to spend a few days at our new Reform camp in Arlington, Washington. And I was pleasantly surprised at how near Camp Kalsman is to Vancouver. Traveling time was 2 hours door to door (my NEXUS pass certainly facilitated matters). I was once more reminded of the unique benefits of Jewish summer camps. Only at camp does one have the opportunity to truly live and breathe Judaism. We can take pride that the Reform movement excels at doing the Jewish summer camp experience so well!

My one disappointment this past week was that I could not share this time with more of the young people of my Temple Sholom community. I hope that this will change in the upcoming year.  Each year at Passover we say, “Next Year in Jerusalem.” Even as this summer comes to a close, I hope that you will join me in saying,
“Next Year at Camp Kalsman!”

Sincerely,
Rabbi Mikelberg

P.S. A special thank you to the Temple Sholom Sisterhood who, with their special camperships, made it possible for a number of our congregants to benefit from this unique and valuable experience.

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