SPECIAL SECTION
CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE
There’s a lot that’s new at URJ Camp Newman
MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
I n 2021, URJ Camp Newman, part of
the Union for Reform Judaism family of
camps and youth programs, returned to
its facilities on Porter Creek Road in Santa
Rosa, California, after a wildfire destroyed
81 of its 90 structures in 2017. One of
the few things spared by the flames was a
large wooden Star of David on a hill that
overlooked camp.

The 2018 and 2019 summer sessions
were held at the California State University
Maritime Academy in Vallejo and, due to
the pandemic, a virtual camp, “Zoomin’
with Newman,” was set up in 2020.

“Since 2017, thanks to the incredible
and generous support of the community
and State of California, we’ve been able
to reimagine our site with both functional
and accessibility upgrades in mind,” said
Rachel K. Slaton, director of marketing
and communications for Camp Newman.

The camp sits on almost 500 acres in
Northern California and attracts many
campers from the Greater Phoenix area.

In the last five years, they’ve rebuilt four
cabin communities (housing an additional
160 campers and staff), added a new din-
ing hall with indoor and outdoor dining
capabilities, a new Beit Am (indoor pro-
gram space), conference meeting rooms,
offices and health center. Currently,
construction continues on a 28-room
double-occupancy lodge for more adult
staff, faculty and families to stay at, which
is on track to be completed by summer
2023. Planned for the near future is a
new art facility, more cabins, upgrades to
the teen tent villages and rebuilding one
of the campfire amphitheaters, the Pinat
Tefilah, that was lost in the fire.

For summer 2023, Slaton said the camp
is incorporating some of the most popular
activities from Camp Newman’s sister
camp, URJ 6 Points West, which closed in
the fall of 2022. These include its Circus
Arts and STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) electives, adapted
under the guidance of Jordanna Flores,
founding 6 Points West director, who is
now serving as the director of year-round
engagement for Camp Newman. There is
also a new 18-hole disc golf course and
low ropes initiative course.

Pre-fire, Camp Newman offered a
ceramics program including hand and
wheel forming and a fully functional kiln
SEE URJ CAMP NEWMAN, PAGE B8
Circus Arts is a new elective this year at Camp Newman.

COURTESY OF URJ CAMP NEWMAN
Love. Music. Resiliency.

An inspiring presentation of one man's
story of finding hope and love
in an all-Jewish orchestra in Nazi Germany.

6 p.m. Jan. 22
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets at ScottsdalePerformingArts.com
Presented by
and the ASU Center for Jewish Studies
With support from:
Scottsdale Arts
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Center for Jewish Philanthropy of
Greater Phoenix
JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS
Phoenix Holocaust Association
Arizona Jewish Historical Society
Jewish News
JANUARY 6, 2023
B7