Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer as a camp counselor for JUF's Kefiada program, an English-immersion summer camp in Kiryat Gat, Israel. Kefiada, whose name is a play on the Hebrew word for "fun," is a program of JUF's Partnership Together region of Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir, which celebrates 30 years of partnership this year.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Kefiada is an English-speaking summer camp in Kiryat Gat for Israeli children, and I worked with the 4th-grade classrooms. The kids were hilarious, smart, engaged, and remarkably adaptable. Each day had a unique theme, like "America Day" or "Maccabiah Day," and we went on field trips to a wide range of destinations, from a science museum to a trampoline park.
I don't speak Hebrew, but the camp's structure facilitates the American counselors connection with the Israeli children by pairing us with Israeli counselors. The campers loved teaching me Hebrew, though I often had to remind them that I was actually there to teach them English!
I was lucky to attend camp with my brother, and we both stayed with the same host family. They welcomed us with warmth, generosity-and, of course, amazing food.
Kefiada staff worked hard to foster a strong community among the counselors ourselves through social events, which made the experience even more meaningful and fun.
My time at Kefiada taught me valuable lessons about patience, creativity, and cross-cultural communication. I left camp inspired by the resilience and curiosity of the kids, grateful for the friendships I formed, and motivated to seek more experiences that challenge me to grow. I'm counting down the days until next summer at Kefiada!
Rebecca Stark is a junior at Indiana University Indianapolis studying Psychology and works in the JCC early childhood education center.
For more information and to apply to be a 2026 Kefiada counselor, please visit juf.org/kefiada, email
Kefiada@juf.org
, or call Brooke Mandrea at 312-357-4737.
