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What is Camp Kesher?


Since 1998, Camp Kesher has provided a joyous experience for all who seek to deepen family, friendship, and spiritual connections in a Reform Jewish environment.

Back then, Amy Gray and Esther Schorr recognized the need for a multi-generational camp experience for the local Reform Jewish community. They organized the first Camp Kesher, which was a rousing success! Today the camp is run as a joint project among Temple Beth Am, Temple B’nai Torah, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai, and campers come from most of the Reform congregations throughout the northwest, from Portland, Oregon to Bremerton, Washington.


Every Labor Day weekend, we join together as one community to play, pray, and study. While the grown-ups attend scholar sessions, the kids are engaged in camp activities including music, arts and crafts, boating, and ga-ga. Afternoon workshops offer everything from challah-braiding to book discussions to art projects – or time to hang out on the beach or go for a hike. In the evenings there’s Israeli dancing, singing, bedtime stories for the little ones, game night, and a variety show like you won’t see anywhere else. There’s even age-appropriate evening programming for the teens.

Who is Camp Kesher? 


Volunteers, volunteers, volunteers.

The organizing begins in September with monthly meetings/calls led by two co-chairs (volunteers) and involving a steering committee of volunteers. The planning then ramps up in the Spring as camper registration picks up and programming of workshops and activities is lined up.

Camp Kesher is not affiliated with any synagogue or organization. Temple B'nai Torah has an agreement with Camp Kesher to serve as its fiscal agent (e.g., managing registration payments and invoices). 

Photo Left: Co-Directors 2023 Brian Lichtman and Catherine Lanham

Celebrating 25 Years! 


Since 1998, Amy Gray and Esther Schorr recognized the need for a multi-generational camp experience for the local Reform Jewish community. They organized the first Camp Kesher, which was a rousing success!

Co-Chairs since the Beginning:

Esther Schorr 1998

Amy Gray 1998

Jeff Ross 1999 - 2000

Julie and Jim z”l Black 2001, 2002

Ely Zimmerman 2003

Seth Weissman 2003

Marie Donadio 2004

Sue McAllister 2005

Joanie Mass z”l 2005

Keith Oratz 2006

Margy Crosby 2006, 2007

Lisa Weidling 2007

Ronni Berger 2008

Barry Butterklee 2008, 2009



 



Jessica Goldman 2009, 2010

Lior Caspi 2010, 2011

Shelly F. Cohen 2011, 2012

Kenny Kranseler 2012, 2013

Alan Freyd 2013, 2014

Aaron Leibowitz 2014, 2015

Karen Ovetz 2015, 2016

Marshall Brumer 2016, 2017

JoAnn Silkes 2017, 2018

Laurie Litwack 2018, 2019

Jeannette Cohen 2019,2022

Carol Tice 2022,2023

Catherine Lanham 2023, 2024

Brian Lichtman 2024