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Camp Livingston Alumni Newsletter
Issue: #4 June 16, 2017
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Dear Alumni,

Welcome to our Summer Alumni Newsletter. The goal of our Newsletter is simple: to keep you informed and connected. In this installment we will be sharing some of the great projects that have taken shape over the last few months which will enhance the 2017 summer experience. We will also share some NEW Alumni Event information, Fundraising updates and as always, fun photos!
Many of you know the old sign at the entrance to "the star" where we hold our Shabbat services, which was originally built by Tsippy Gottlieb, a former staff member. A while back the sign was lost to the elements and we were sad.  But then, a current staffer, Zach Horowitz, with amazing woodworking skills brought life back to this special place with a brand new sign that will invite all to Shabbat services for years to come. Please join us for services at The Star with special guest, Rabbi David Young - Alumnus of Camp Livingston at this year's Camp For Adults, Alumni Reunion Weekend!

"If you build it... They will come!" 
Our field of dreams was completed several weeks ago with the help of a generous donation and professional guidance of the Reds Community Fund and Charley Frank. Goldberg Field will further enhance baseball programing at Camp Livingston which helps create bonds and teaches teamwork! We are constantly improving our program areas and look forward to more fun projects this Fall.

More Good News!!!
There is still time to give to our 2016/2017Campaign!

Our Annual Campaign closes this September and we need your help! 
This year Camp Livingston has partnered with the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, who will match any increase in your donation dollar for dollar. *For example, if you donate $100 more this year than last, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati will match camp another $100, for a $200 total increase. GIVE NOW!

Thank you for your support of Camp Livingston. We wish you and your family a safe and fun summer!
A New Torah Arrives
Written by: Kevin Rosenthal
Camp Livingston Counselor

A r efreshing transaction absent of monetary implications recently took shape between Congregation Etz Chaim and Camp Livingston.  Etz Chaim, located on Cornell Rd. in Cincinnati , OH, has graciously offered a Torah to Camp Livingston to use for the next ten summers in Bennington, IN.  

Celebrating its 100th summer in 2020, Camp Livingston sought a new Torah due to the aged and no longer kosher condition of the Torah it currently has , which was given to camp in the 1980's by Congregation Beth El in Springfield, Ohio.

Shabbat at Camp Livingston represents a meaningful time during which campers rest, enjoy leisure activities , and attend Friday night and Saturday morning services and a havdallah service The Torah is unfurled and read before the campers and staff at each of the Saturday morning services.

As is the case with many Torahs, the scroll which Camp Livingston will read starting in June has a compelling story. Originally a Torah at Congregation Beth Yehuda in Brooklyn, NY, this scroll survived a fire in the synagogue during the late 1940s. Less than one decade after the fire Beth Yehuda became defunct.  All rescued Torahs were shelved in the Brooklyn home of a senior trustee to the inoperative congregation.  

In 1967, after the Torahs had sat idle for over ten years, trustees to Beth Yehuda agreed the Torahs should be dispersed to various United States congregations where they could be of purpose to jewish communities. One Torah was granted to Congregation B'nai Tzedek in Cincinnati.  During January, 1968, the Torah was read for the first time to its Cincinnati congregants.

Nearly fifty years later in 2015 Congregation B'nai Tzedek merged with Congregation Ohav Shalom to become Congregation Etz Chaim. 
Hundreds of jewish kids and families will benefit from the next stop in the journey of this Torah: southeastern Indiana.
Alumni Spotlight
Sara (Klein) Wagner

Written by: Robin Canowitz
Photo Credit: Patti Hartog
 
Sara and I have been friends for years, and it all started when we met at a BBYO convention, and bonded over the fact that we both went to Camp Livingston.  We were close throughout high school, and finally had the opportunity to be counselors together in the summer of 1985.  We were in each other's weddings, and have maintained our friendship for many years.  Like most Livingston friendships, time and space do not seem to matter.  Camp bonds always keep you close. 

Sara was a Livingston camper from 1974-1983.  She became a counselor in 1983, and later served in other various roles at camp, including STEP (CIT) director.  Sara met her husband, Howard at Camp Livingston as well.  He even proposed to her at camp! 

Growing up in Louisville, KY with a much older brother, for most of her life, she was the only child in the house.  Camp Livingston gave her independence, and taught her how to live with and get along with other people.  She says that camp "shaped who I am, and how I interact with other people." 

Sara says that camp taught her the joy of running - which she still does today.  She recalls that she and one of her bunkmates, Maya Lieberman, did not want to do group sports on the A-Field, so they asked if they could just run around the A-Field instead of participating.  They allowed her to do this, and she is still a runner today. 

One of Sara's favorite things at camp was Maccabiah (she won as Captain).  She stressed that when she was on staff she always remembered the importance of giving kids special things to do to help them build memories, and give them stories to tell.  She credits camp with helping her to choose her career as well.  She says that being a counselor at Livingston was formative in who she became.  It taught her responsibility, and it also taught her that she could have a real impact on the lives of teenagers.  She said her favorite summer was the summer that she was STEP Director. 

Sara attended Brandeis University, and got her Masters in Jewish Communal Service.  Her early jobs, and volunteer activities included working with teens through BBYO and as a Teen Director.  She and Howard raised their family in Louisville, and Sara has held a variety of positions within various Jewish organizations in that community.  Sara is now the President and CEO of the Jewish Community of Louisville, which encompasses both the JCC and the Jewish Federation.  Sara still sees many of her camp friends and her daughter is a counselor at Livingston again this summer.  
It's time! Book your flight and pack your bags!
Alumni Reunion Weekend: August 18-20, 2017


Ready to spend the weekend with us? Time is Running Out!
We are hard at work planning an AMAZING Camp for Adults: Alumni Reunion weekend at Camp Livingston, August 18-20, 2017! 

Click here to GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!!
Thank You!
Thank you so much for your continued support and interest in Camp Livingston. We work hard each and every day to ensure that our campers have an opportunity to learn the same Jewish values and have the wonderful, fun and exciting experiences that you had during your time at camp.

If you would like to support Camp Livingston, please click here to explore our many giving options. We hope you consider a gift to our Annual Campaign. Each dollar you give helps send a child to camp and ensures quality programing for the children of our communities.

We are preparing to undertake several programing facility improvements this Fall. Your dollars will help execute these projects and provide much needed scholarship support for the 2018 season:
  • Major improvement to the Volleyball Court
  • Updates at our Low Ropes Team Building Course
  • Staff Lounge improvements
  • Building a Scholarship Endowment
We have a lot more work to do in order to keep serving future generations and to maintain and improve our facilities and programming. With your help, we can ensure the future of Camp Livingston for generations to come.
Please click here to explore giving options. If you are interested in Capital and/or Naming Opportunities please contact Max Yamson at [email protected] or 513-519-7437.

Sincerely,
  
Director of Development and Alumni Relations 

Executive Director   

Assistant Director