Every morning, each camper and staff member comes together
Around The Toren to raise the flag's and declare, Every Day is a Special Day at CYJ!

Around The Toren is our quarterly community E-Newsletter, filled with timely updates, events and articles to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the world of Camp Young Judaea Midwest. To view the newsletter on our website, click here.

Rachel Ruskin
Camp Life Director
When it gets dark early, I like to daydream about summer (even more than usual).

I like to picture myself right in the middle of camp life; at the beach, at meals, on the fields and yes, around the Toren. During these uniquely challenging times (especially), many feelings of gratitude keep
coming into my mind and heart. Of course, gratitude for health, family, friends, happiness, and the like, but lately it’s been focused on gratitude for CYJ. Camp is my home away from my other home. Recently Robin, Jeffrey, Kevin and I were able to spend some time up at camp. Even covered in snow and ice, the sights, smells, and landscape brought a huge smile to my face. But it was definitely missing something.

It made me long to see it in full bloom. In full summer mode. With the laughter of chanichim (campers) and Tzevet (staff). To see fresh faces each morning and tired, contented smiles each night. I hope many
of you reading this now will have those smiles this summer.

I have deep roots with CYJ Midwest, having spent 12 summers at CYJ as a chanicha and on tzevet. I have over two decades of experience working in the Jewish community, including National Senior Advisor for Young Judaea, Director of the Summer Delegation for the Israel Scouts and Associate Director of Tamarack Camps. While I live in Michigan during the year, I can’t wait to move up to camp for the summer. I’d love to hear from you, send me an email with any thoughts or just to say hello at rachel@cyjmid.org
Upcoming Events
Alumni Events
Other Programming
Chicago Area Parents: Save The Date
Pre-Oscars Virtual Event hosted by Hillah Hadassah to benefit Camp Young Judaea Midwest
March 10, 7-9pm CT
Registration opening soon
Exciting News
Rachel Ruskin is our new Camp Life Director. Rachel has deep roots with CYJ Midwest, where she spent her formative summers as a camper and a summer staff member. Rachel has over two decades of experience working in the Jewish community, including National Senior Advisor for Young Judaea, Director of the Summer Delegation for the Israel Scouts and Associate Director of Tamarack Camps.

Jeffrey Harris is CYJ's new Operations Director. Jeffrey is a classically trained chef, a veteran, and has worked for five years within the Jewish camping movement, including as a chef at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and most recently as the Logistics and Food Service Director for Ramah in the Rockies.
Now Hiring: Professional Camp Parents & Alumni
We're looking for adults who have special skills and certifications to serve as social workers, chefs and more!

Learn more by visiting our staff page or contact Camp Life Director, Rachel Ruskin by clicking here.
Virtual Open House
Can't make it on January 30? Make a virtual appointment to meet directly with Camp Life Director Rachel Ruskin during a time and day that works best for you. Click here to schedule a one-on-one.
Small Communities Grant
The Small Communities Incentive Program is allowing us to bring not one, but two years of funding to our new campers from eligible communities throughout the country.

This amazing opportunity for our new campers is made possible thanks to the Small Communities Incentive Program funded by the Legacy Heritage Fund.

When you register your new camper for Session 1 or 2, you will receive up to $1500 for tuition this summer and for summer 2023.
Good & Welfare
Bar Mitzvah

Natan Isaacs (November 6)
Isaac Faier (November 13)
Yoni Anderson (December 11)
David Schanzer (December 11)
Zachary Schanzer (December 11)
Bat Mitzvah

Hannah Berk (October 24)
Sonia Freddolino (October 30)
Shira Naor (November 26)
Ayala Vachman (December 4)
Donating the spare change from your credit or debit card purchases allows us to make a difference and create meaningful experiences for our campers. Click the banner below to find out more!