Week of giving stories

Today we introduce you to Mike Sherman, who, over the course of nine summers from 1955 to 1964, was transformed by his experiences at CYJ, including a friendship with Israeli hero, Yoni Netanyahu. Mike feels that he grew up at camp and learned critical life lessons that have informed his adulthood. He remains loyal to the “Blue and White” to this day, and we are proud to feature his story.

“When I went to Camp Young Judaea, it didn’t matter if you were in Bunk 5, you were still friendly with the kids in Bunk 8. If you were a counselor for 15-year-olds, you knew the 9-year-olds, too. Across camp, there was a feeling of belonging. We were one community, and we grew up together.” That’s how Mike Sherman remembers Camp Young Judaea in the 1950s and ‘60s. Every summer for ten years running, he returned to the nurturing community, where, he said, “we’d just pick up from where we’d left off 10 months earlier.” 

Mike first came to “Deep in the Hills of New Hampshire” from Worcester in 1955. He was 10 years old, athletic, and, a bit of a big shot, he recalls. By the time he hit his teens, he had learned from the counselors he’d looked up to how to be a mensch. He vividly remembers the head counselor in his day: “He was a wonderful guy, and he took every camper under his wing. He made a strong impression on me.”

Summers at CYJ contributed to who Mike is today. “It was a stepping stone to adulthood for me,” he said. “For the first time in my life, I was away from my parents and home responsibilities, living 24/7, summer after summer, with a whole community of people who bonded together. I learned how to take responsibility for myself and others at CYJ. I gained a sense of self I’d never felt before.” 

CYJ also allowed Mike to forge a strong bond with Israel. He became very friendly with a young Israeli, who spent several summers at camp and would go down in Jewish history for his bravery. “In those days,” he said, “we used to have Israeli scouts come over to spend the summer with us. We didn’t have a trip to Israel.” Yonatan (Yoni) Netanyahu –– the younger brother of Israel’s long-serving Prime Minister, Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu –– came to YJ in the summer of 1961. “He was my co-counselor that year,” recalled Mike. “He was a terrific guy, very smart, very engaging. And he was very committed to camp. Later in his life, he wrote about his affection for CYJ.” 

A decade or so after serving on YJ’s staff, Yoni served as the officer in charge of the elite commando unit of the Israel Defense Force that went into Uganda in 1976 for the rescue operation of 106 hostages known as “Operation Entebbe.” The mission was successful, with 102 hostages rescued, but Yoni was killed in action –– the only IDF fatality during the operation. Mike, along with Jews worldwide, grieved the tremendous loss. Years later, Mike would have an opportunity to meet Bibi Netanyahu in Israel, and the two discussed the Prime Minister’s beloved brother. You may know that the Judaica Cabin at YJ is named in memory of Yoni Netanyahu. 

To this day, CYJ resonates strongly in Mike’s life. We are grateful he has taken a leading role in building a culture of philanthropy within the camp community. When asked why he does this, especially after so many years have passed since he attended camp, he said, “If one person can experience what I experienced at YJ, I feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

We are pleased to introduce and share the multi-generational story of Jennifer Gorney Savner. CYJ has been the summer home for the Kursman/Gorney/Savner family for more than 70 years. We invited Jen to share her family’s story and why their summers at CYJ have been so transformative. 

In the mid 1950’s, my mother, Barbara (Kursman) Gorney, was fortunate enough to spend two summers at Camp Young Judaea. Her memories are vague but she does remember being on Lake Baboosic and absolutely loving it. She loved the waterfront, the activities, the counselors and the friends she made. Her strongest memories are those of the whole camp around the flagpole singing Hebrew songs. 

When it came time to send me to overnight summer camp, we visited CYJ for a tour. The camp had modernized since my mother’s time at camp but the love was still there. We did not need to look at any other camps and in late June of 1983, I went off to CYJ for 4 weeks. I immediately felt part of something very special.  

For 10 amazing years, CYJ was my summer home. The friends that I made at YJ have become lifelong friends. I learned to be independent, but also became part of a very special community. I learned what it meant to be Jewish and to live a Jewish life. Those summers and my Gadna trip to Israel helped me become the person I am today.

In 2011, when it was time for my oldest daughter, Abby, there was no question as to where she would be spending her summers. Her younger sister, Marissa, followed her a few years later. Our girls can’t wait for each summer to join their friends while building their own individual Jewish identity. My parents continue to join us each year for visiting day and they love to see their granddaughters so happy. After last summer was cancelled, Marissa is so excited for her Daled summer and Abby is going to be a counselor! We are so happy and proud. 

Camp Young Judaea is a very special place. Children learn values, fair play and being kind and helpful to one another. They learn compassion and caring. They learn to work together to achieve a common goal and to solve problems. Most of all, they just have fun as they create the same lifelong memories like my mother and I did before them. My mother has always said that there is something magical in the air at Camp Young Judaea.   We could not agree more!   

CYJ has been a wonderful environment for me and my family. I can’t imagine not having CYJ in our lives. Because of that special bond, supporting the Deep in the Hills Fund is very important to us. We want to ensure that a summer in 03031 is around when it’s time to send our grandchildren too!

Last week, we briefly introduced you to our newest board member, Greg Curhan. We invited Greg to share more about his and his family’s connection to CYJ through a little Q&A session!

What was your favorite meal at camp? 

It's hard to remember what I ate last week — let alone 40 years ago. But I'd say my favorite was a cookout in Lou Brown Park. Can't beat a burger or dog, plus you could sit with whichever of your friends you wanted.

What was your favorite evening activity? 

I was big into drama, so my favorite was the night we got to put on the play we'd been rehearsing all session.

What roles have you played at camp? (waterfront, athletics) 

I was a counselor and CA for a few years. I was on the Tennis, Drama and Campcraft staffs. I have no idea what qualified me for Campcraft or how I ended up there. :) 

You live in California. There are lots of great camps closer to home? Why did you want your kids to have the CYJ experience? 

There aren't nearly the number of camps in California as there are back East. But since my wife, Randi, also attended a Jewish summer camp in PA, we agreed that we’d like our kids to have the same opportunity. Each summer, we’d take our kids to see their grandparents in both NY and MA. One summer, we decided to visit YJ, and our oldest son, Evan, was excited the minute we got there. Once Evan got into the swing of YJ, it was natural for his brothers to follow in his footsteps. 

As the boys attended from Aleph through Gadna, I was heartened to see that the great experiences and culture that I had enjoyed were still in place and thriving. I think the opportunity to grow separate from parents and removed from the grind of home life, school, etc. is one thing that is so special about YJ, especially these days when it’s so hard to disconnect from cell phones and social media.

We are so thrilled you've accepted a seat on the CYJ Board of Directors. What was it about CYJ that made you want to focus your attention here? 

I've served on corporate boards but never on a non-profit one. I can't think of a better opportunity for me to contribute to an organization with which I'm so emotionally connected and whose mission I completely support.

Why did you decide to support the Deep in the Hills Fund? 

YJ is a special place and provides such a great experience for everyone involved - campers, staff, and families of campers. I want to make sure that it is around for the next generation of my family to enjoy. I believe it’s important for alumni to support YJ in any environment but especially today, given the financial and social dislocation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. I hope others will join me in ensuring that camp comes through this challenging period as strong as ever and thrives for generations to come.