Camp Moshava and Keshet

In 1993, after many months of planning and preparation, Camp Moshava teamed up with Keshet and a dream of an integrated overnight summer program became a reality. Under the guidance and leadership of then Executive Director Rabbi Moshe Kushner, Keshet ran for four weeks that summer, and every summer since.

In 2004, Joyce and Dennis Ruben established of The Ruben Family Keshet Overnight Camp at Camp Moshava, a continuation and enhancement of the Keshet integrated program, which provides Keshet campers with an opportunity to participate in a four-week overnight camp. The overnight camp experience enhances the lives of both Keshet campers and mainstream campers. The prior learn about integration, living alongside mainstream campers and, wherever possible, maintaining the standard schedule of sports, water activities, drama, music and more. The latter learn sensitivity to those with physical or mental handicaps, to help those in need, and most importantly, to accept those who might seem different. This is a true symbiotic relationship.

Each Keshet camper has a shadow and, depending on how high functioning the camper is the, the shadow’s involvement is determined, which an overarching goal of enabling as much individuality as possible.

This past summer, a student filled out an evaluation form which asked him his favorite part of the summer. There were only two words for the answer: the name of the Keshet camper in his bunk. Lives are being changed, both for Keshet and for Moshava.

To learn more about the Keshet Program, contact the moshava office at (847) 674-9733 or email us at moshava@moshavawildrose.org.