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January 16, 2009
Learning Hebrew
Kids use their language skills at Camp Massad.
REBECA KUROPATWA
At Camp Massad, the only Hebrew-immersion summer camp in Western Canada, kids get to learn and use Hebrew at their own pace. Based in Winnipeg, the Massad experience is unique because Hebrew is the camp's working language.
Massad opened in 1953 as a Habonim Dror camp, one that was built from scratch by the first Massadnicks. The word massad means basis or foundation.
Camp administrator Leslie Jacob, affectionately known as "Ima," said that, "according to numerous studies, the Jewish camp experience is second only to Jewish school in cultivating a lasting sense of Jewish identity." All of the daily Massad programs are run in Hebrew, but, Jacob explained, "Our goal is to have this be a fun and relaxed experience for our campers. All the campers (ages seven to 16) participate in the programs together, so they have mentors all the way up. It's a much warmer way of doing things. Everyone is welcome, no matter what their Hebrew level is."
Jacob said that staff write out scripts and such things phonetically, so that campers with less Hebrew knowledge are able to participate. "We're also very animated and use props in our programs and, of course, our counsellors will explain to campers in English if need be."
Campers and staffers alike come to Massad not only from the Winnipeg area, but also from as far away as Illinois, Alaska, New York, Vancouver and Toronto. Both Jewish and non-Jewish people attend the camp.
"We have some non-Jewish kids who come to Massad because they have friends who come here, and they are welcomed," said Jacob. "Besides the camping experience, they gain an exposure to Israel and Hebrew that they may not have otherwise."
In general, Jacob said campers speak to each other in English, but all of the programming is in Hebrew. "Having Hebrew as a daily part of our Massad experience is our way of keeping the language going," said Jacob. "The kids learn in a fun way. We don't want it to feel like school for them by having them only be allowed to speak in Hebrew."
Winnipegger Michelle Perrin went to Massad as a camper for four years. In the summer of 2004, she went back as the camp nurse and brought her daughter, Mackenzie, as well.
"What I liked about Massad is that it feels like your own small community, or town, if you will. I like the spirit of it – you really feel like you can be yourself. I enjoyed the Jewish aspect of it as well, as I had been out of that world for a while," said Perrin.
Campers at Massad range from Grade 2 to Grade 9-10. The youngest campers are called Bisseleh, meaning "little bit" in Yiddish. The oldest group is called Ma'alit (elevator).
As of 2008-2009, Camp Massad will have a new program director at the helm, Cole Leinburd, who has been involved at Massad since being a young camper himself.
Hart Jacob, the previous program director, started out as a camp counsellor in 1999. In terms of being a Jewish camp, he said, "Massad is accommodating, but pretty non-affiliated. All of the meals are kosher and we celebrate Shabbat and the chaggim (holidays), but it's not a religious camp."
An integral part of Massad is having young Israelis, who, just before starting out their army service, come to Massad as part of a partnership program.
"It's great," said Hart Jacob. "Sixteen- and 17-year-old Israelis meet North Americans their age and vice versa, with the opportunity to learn a lot about each other and the world."
Massad has had Israeli counsellors coming to the camp for about seven years, but 2007 was the first year Massad also had post-army Israelis participating.
Jacob fondly recalled how a nine-year-old camper, nicknamed "Jersey," (being from New Jersey) came to Massad on his own.
"At first, he was pretty shy, but at the final dance he surprised everyone," said Jacob. "He went up to the deejay, took the mic and made a speech in Hebrew, saying that although he started out scared and alone, he now loves Massad and plans on coming back next summer with his sister."
In recent years, Massad has had a steady increase of campers from the United States, because, in the last few years, the camp participates in camp fairs across the country.
"About 10-12 per cent of campers are from outside our local area, but that's on the rise," said Jacob. Massad gets at least 150 campers every year.
Massad also offers scholarships and subsidies for kids who need them. "We never turn away any child because of lack of financial wherewithal," said Jacob. "We want to make camp something possible for any child."
For more information about Camp Massad, call 204-477-7487 or check out their website at www. campmassad.ca.
Rebeca Kuropatwa is a Winnipeg freelance writer.
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