Page 1 - JR March 31 21 FINAL
P. 1
Shoshana Bean gives
back through song – page 2
Day school news – pages 4-5
Pandemic tales – page 6
Life-cycle news – page 12
March 31, 2021 / Nisan 18, 5781 Volume 56, Issue 8
OR/WA overnight camps
get approval to open
BY DEBORAH MOON
Overnight camps in Oregon and Washington will
be allowed to open this summer thanks in large part
to the efforts of two Jewish camp leaders.
B’nai B’rith Camp CEO Michelle Koplan serves as
chair of the Alliance of Oregon Camps, and Camp
Solomon Schechter Executive Director Zach Duitch
is co-chair of the Washington State Camp Coalition.
Both groups were formed in response to the pandem-
ic, which forced the closure of overnight camps in
both states last summer. Activities are back! Residents enjoy an exercise class at Robison Jewish Health
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced on Center led by CSP Life Enrichment Director Nancy Heckler (left). Groups are
March 17 that Oregon’s overnight camps will be limited to 10 people with masks and social distancing required.
allowed to open and operate in 2021. The Alliance
submitted recommended guidance, which propos- Seniors celebrate renewed
es stable cohorts of up to 20, to the Oregon Health
Authority on March 19. The Governor’s office will
release guidelines by mid-April. freedom at Cedar Sinai Park
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has released
guidance secured with the assistance of The WSCC BY DEBORAH MOON number of families in the building at
that allows overnight summer camps to operate This year Passover’s journey to free- one time and only two people per fam-
safely this summer. The guidelines are part of the dom has been a viscerally joyous one ily. Activities have resumed includ-
governor’s COVID19 Outdoor Recreation Guid- for seniors living at Cedar Sinai Park. ing bingo, exercise classes, Resident
ance update released March 23. The guidance sets With most residents and staff fully Council, music, crossword puzzles,
a maximum cohort size of 16, which should remain vaccinated and COVID restrictions word games and art projects.
consistent for both daytime activities and sleeping relaxing, the seniors are enjoying get- Even with the vaccines, Kimberly
in bunks/cabins/campsites together. Facial coverings ting out of their apartments and rooms. emphasizes PPE (mask/shield/gown),
are required to be worn at all times by all staff and Small group seders were just one sign hand hygiene and distancing continues
campers, and anyone else present at the camp, ex- of the new freedoms (see related col- to be the best defense.
cept for when eating, drinking, brushing teeth, sleep- umn page 10). Administrator Krista Mattox, Harold
ing or specific outdoor activities. “Our vaccine rates and decreasing Schnitzer Center for Living/Robison
See SUMMER CAMP, page 9 positivity rates in the Portland metro Health Center, says residents have en-
area have created the opportunity for joyed seeing their friends who reside in
CSP to come together in person,” says other houses in the community.
OR/WA Jewish Overnight Camps CSP CEO Kimberly Fuson. “In addi- “They are more able to move about
Registration is open at: tion to indoor and outdoor visits, small the facility and participate in an ex-
bbcamp.org group activity and small group dining, panded variety of activities, such as
campschechter.org perhaps most important is the human bingo and group singalongs,” says
campkesher.ncsy.org connection. Our souls are lifted; We’ve Krista. “Mostly, the ability to visit
Find other Jewish camps at: begun, albeit cautiously, to hug again. with their families has lifted spirits
This is the result of the indomitable and brought comfort in knowing they
jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper spirit of each and every member of the are loved by seeing and talking with
Financial aid/grants: Each camp offers CSP team throughout the pandemic. I them in person.”
financial aid on their websites. The Jewish am truly humbled.” Robison resident Rose adds, “I’m so
Federation of Greater Portland provides Under the relaxed restrictions, res- glad we can come out of our rooms and
One Happy Camper incentive grants up to idents now can gather (socially dis- do some activities and I can see my
$1,000 for first-time campers. tanced) in groups of 10 or fewer; fam- family.”
ily visits are permitted with a limited See CSP SENIORS, page 8