Friendly takeover! On Sunday December 4, 11 Alumni spent the day on the eight Tawonga office phone lines. They called over 400 former staff members, inviting them to join the Alumni Association. Click the link below to join the Alumni Association yourself and learn about our upcoming events!


Click to join tawonga

Early Registration begins Monday!

The phone is ringing off the hook . . . "When does registration start?" parents ask. "Early Registration begins December 5th, and Open Registration begins December 26th!" Dan Harris, Office Manager, answers with giddy enthusiasm.


After printing and sending personalized registration forms to returning families, the Tawonga office is ready for the 2006 season to begin.


Mimi Gordon, Associate Director, can't wait until she can have dinner in the dining hall again.

The dates for Tawonga's 2006 season are finalized and will be posted on the website soon, but here is a sneak peek just for you bloggers out there. Plus, as an added bonus, here is a little blurb about our new 2006 programs. Enjoy! We can't wait to see you next season.

Session I (entering 2^nd – 7^th grade): June 18 – June 23

Session II (entering 3^rd – 10^th grade): June 25 – July 7

Session III (entering 4^th – 10^th grade): July 9 – July 28

Session IV Carmel (entering 3^rd – 6^th grade): July 30 – August 11

Session IV (entering 6^th – 10^th grade): July 30 – August 18

Yosemite Quest (entering 7^th – 8^th grade): June 18 – June 23

High Sierra Quest (entering 9^th – 11^th grade): June 25 – July 7

Magical Mystery Tour (entering 9^th – 11^th grade): June 25 – July 7

Northwest Quest (entering 8^th – 9^th grade): July 9 – July 28

Surf ‘n Turf (entering 9^th – 11^th grade): July 9 – July 28

Canada Quest (entering 9^th – 11^th grade): July 30 – August 17

SIT/WIT/CIT (entering 11^th – 12^th grade): June 18 – July 7

Teen Service Learning Trip to Israel (entering 11^th – 12^th grade): July 18 – August 14

Grief and Growing Bereavement Weekend: May 19 – 21

Spring Family Camp: May 26 – 29

Summertime Family Camp: August 24 – 27

Peacemakers Camp: September 1 – 4

Special Needs Family Camp: September 8 – 10

Keshet LGBT Family Camp: September 14 – 17

Interfaith Weekend: October 6 – 8

Alumni Reunion Weekend: October 13 -15

Teen Trip to Israel This summer fourty high school students will comprise the first ever Tawonga Teen Service Learning Trip. The four week trip will travel from the Negev to the Galilee, visiting all the sights while carrying out a wide variety of meaningful service projects. The trip will culminate with a 3-day stay at Camp Tawonga. The program combines the best of Tawonga with the best of Israel.

New Weekend for Interfaith Couples and Families For couples and families thinking about raising kids Jewishly or interested in having a Jewish household. With amazing rabbis, song leaders and Tawonga staff you are sure to have a great time and get your questions answered. Join us for a great Sukkot weekend.

New Family Camp for Children with Special Needs We want to share the beauty and magic of Tawonga with a wide variety of children with special needs. This weekend will give your family a chance to enjoy the unique blend of Judaism, nature and community which makes Camp Tawonga so great for kids.

Dear Camp Tawonga,

What a wonderful, fabulous, fulfilling walk down memory lane Alumni Reunion Weekend was . . . not to mention being able to take in the wonders of all the growth that has taken place over the years. I can't wait for the next one.

Favorite moments that stood out for me . . . the sun and shadow of leaves shining through the Torah at the Saturday morning service, the smell of camp at night, watching Ben Catechi fall in love with Abigail Miller, Sam Gershik facing his fears on the Perch, Eva Newbrun in the birthday chair, Steve Gershik still being able to make me laugh at nothing, seeing former campers with babies of their own, Ken laughing at all the acts at the campfire, hearing Gabe call Deborah "Mom", singing along with David Cathechi . . . Ahh. There are many others of course, but those are a few to start.

Thanks to all.

Selah

Join Bay Area Jews for the Rabin Memorial service this Shabbat at Temple Emanu El in San Francisco. This is the 10th yartzeit of Yithak Rabin's death and this service will be the biggest ceremony in San Francisco. Tawonga's own Rabbi Sydney Mintz will lead the service which will include a musical tribute by Marsha Attie & the Brandeis Student Choir, and a memorial lecture by Knesset Member Avshalom "Abu" Vilan, cofounder of PEACE NOW.

7 PM
Main Sanctuary, Temple Emanu El
2 Lake Street, San Francisco

Kudos to Tawonga board member Josh Weinberg for his photo and mention in the New York Times today! Who knew you could become a celebrity for having a Bar Mitzvah party?!

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