Shaping her Jewish Identity, One Summer at a Time

For 15-year-old Sandy Bressler, summers at Camp Judaea in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina have shaped more than just her childhood memories, they have shaped her Jewish identity. To her, camp is far more than a place to swim in the lake or ride horses. It is a vibrant, joyful community where friendships are forged, fun is abundant and Jewish values are woven into every moment.

“I could not go last year and it killed me,” she said with a deep sigh. “I had the most boring summer ever. I miss camp so much.”

Camp Judaea, supported in part with an operating grant from The Leon Levine Foundation, is a Jewish, Israel-centered overnight summer camp for children and teens ages 7 to 15. Known for its close-knit community, the camp gives young people the chance to explore nature, build deep friendships and strengthen their connection to Judaism and Israel through creative programming, prayer, music and outdoor adventures.

From her first summer as a nervous 11-year-old, Sandy was immediately drawn in by the sense of belonging. She made friends quickly – especially through her love of music and musical theatre, which became her natural icebreaker. But what surprised her the most was being surrounded entirely by Jewish peers. Living in Columbia, South Carolina, where there is a small Jewish community, she had never experienced anything quite like it.

“When she got to Judaea, we saw her light up in ways we didn’t really know existed,” said her mom, Leila, who is also a Camp Judaea alum. “She got super interested in Judaism and became more involved with traditions like Shabbat, learning about holidays and understanding how Jewish culture works.”

While Jewish values are present everywhere at Camp Judaea, it was Tikkun Olam, the call to repair the world, that spoke to Sandy most deeply. The belief in making the world better through kindness and service resonated with her.

“That’s the main idea,” she said. “It’s not even just Judaism, people should just be kind. And I’m so proud to be Jewish because that is such an important idea.”

Sandy lived that value at camp, especially with younger campers who arrived shy or homesick. Through intentional kindness, she helped them grow comfortable and confident. Her peers eventually crowned her the “Mom Friend” – the person everyone sought out for comfort, advice or a listening ear.

That commitment to Tikkun Olam followed her home, too. At her private Episcopal school, Sandy leads the Jewish Alliance Club and organizes programs that highlight Jewish values. Through her synagogue, she helped plan a Mitzvah Day at a nursing home and brought her guitar to play for and sing with residents. She also teaches Sunday school and especially loves working with B’nai mitzvah–age students, helping them feel prepared for their big day.

For Sandy and her family, Camp Judaea is far more than a fun summer tradition. It is the place where she found her people, connected deeply with Jewish life and discovered that Tikkun Olam is not just an idea, but a daily choice to be kind, to lead and to help others thrive.

Written by Krista Faye Terrell. Photos are courtesy of Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr.