Kayitz Kef 
Hebrew at Camp

The Power of Camp as an Experiential Learning Environment.

Anyone who has experienced summer camp knows the unmatched magic, power, and influence of these
settings, where learning happens through joy, experience, and meaning. There is no substitute for these
informal settings in instilling values, beliefs, practices, and knowledge in children. Camp is the perfect
environment for acquiring something new or developing a new appreciation for something familiar, especially
something as foundational and identity-shaping as a second language. Kayitz Kef leverages these settings to
give young people a love of and facility with Hebrew.

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The Kayitz Kef Approach

Since 2013, Kayitz Kef (“Summer of Fun” in Hebrew) has created immersive Hebrew experiences at summer camps, where Israeli counselors connect with campers and provide real-life opportunities for language acquisition. As a flagship initiative of the Brandeis University Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture, Kayitz Kef immerses American Jewish youth in Modern Israeli Hebrew and contemporary Israeli culture, building both linguistic skills and personal bonds with Israel.

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Our approach is grounded in the proficiency model of second language acquisition, which focuses on what
learners can do with the language in real-life settings. This philosophy fits seamlessly with camp, where
informal, experience-based learning thrives.

In day camps, full immersion programs run alongside existing activities, customized to each camp's unique
culture. At overnight camps, educational leaders collaborate closely with Kayitz Kef staff to tailor programs that
would appeal to older campers, focusing less on explicit Hebrew engagement and more on immersing in the
language through regular activities such as art, nature, sports etc. In all cases, young, dynamic Israeli
counselors (shlichim, or emissaries) facilitate authentic Hebrew interactions. In full immersion programs,
depending on length and duration of program, campers engage in up to 120-200 hours of Hebrew over the
summer, developing functional language skills in a meaningful and enjoyable way.

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Why Hebrew, Why Now?
In 2021, Pew Research Center found that younger Jews felt less connected to Israel than previous generations.
After October 7, 2023, surveys by JFNA and AJC revealed a powerful shift, with 43 to 57 percent of American
Jews reporting a stronger connection to Jewish life and Israel. This renewed identification comes with a
hunger for positive, constructive ways to live that connection, not solely as a reaction to antisemitism, but as
an affirmation of pride and belonging. Hebrew language and Israeli culture offer a direct, inspiring way to
channel this energy, and Kayitz Kef and the Brandeis Hebrew Consortium are uniquely positioned to harness
this moment with depth and intentionality.

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Empowering children, teens, and young adults with Hebrew proficiency builds a deep and lasting connection to Jewish tradition, history, and peoplehood. Hebrew allows young people to engage with ancient texts and modern Israeli society. It enables authentic conversations and relationships with Israelis and creates a living bridge between the Jewish past and future.

We also see significant opportunity in using Hebrew to deepen the mifgash: the encounter between Israeli and American campers and staff. Camps are one of the most effective places for these connections to form. Hebrew is not just a language-learning tool; it is a bridge between individuals and communities. Strengthening these connections is a natural extension of our work and a core element of what makes Kayitz Kef distinct and impactful.

Our Growth and Reach
What began as a design experiment at Ramah Nyack day camp in 2013 has expanded steadily, weathering
challenges such as COVID, financial pressures in the camping field, and conflicts in Israel. We have refined our
approach each year through feedback and close collaboration with camps, guided by a constant awareness of
our mission to ensure our programs remain relevant and impactful.

During the first 7 years, the program focused solely on camps willing and able to invest in full immersion
programs for a minimum of 7-8 weeks. The pandemic forced us to rethink our delivery models, and in doing
so, we found ways to bring the program to camps beyond our original core, including those with fewer
resources or located far from major Jewish centers. That shift allowed us to deepen our reach in communities
where Hebrew education isn't a given. However, we have always remained focused on one mission: immersing
Jewish children and teens in real, spoken Modern Hebrew as a way to connect deeply with Israel and Israelis.

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Number of Kayitz Kef Camps
Today, we are working with 36 camps across North America, including Ramah, JCCs, Young Judaea, Chabad,
Bnei Akiva, Habonim Dror, HaShomer Hatzair, Jewish day school camps, and synagogue-based programs. Some camps run full Hebrew immersion, while others weave Hebrew in more strategically. What they share is a commitment to Hebrew as a living language that
connects across Jewish identities. Additionally, by the start of the summer season, we will have trained over 150 Israeli counselors, mostly from the Jewish Agency, to bring authentic Hebrew and Israeli culture to these
camps.

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Models of Engagement 

Recognizing the diversity among camps, Kayitz Kef offers several adaptable models to suit different needs and
populations:
Full Immersion: Hebrew is woven into the full day. Campers engage in up to 120 to 200 hours of Hebrew
across the summer through art, nature, sports, and daily routines.
Partial Immersion: Hebrew and Israeli culture are introduced during designated hours or days through
structured activities and games.
Specialty Integration: Hebrew is embedded into specific areas like art, sports, music, or cooking in ways
that feel natural and engaging.
Heritage Speakers: For camps with many children from Israeli families, we support natural immersion
through Hebrew-speaking peers and counselors.

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All models include comprehensive training and mentoring for staff, with guidance from Kayitz Kef’s professional
team. We provide all of our services at no cost to participating camps. From 2021 to 2025, we awarded more
than $230,000 in direct grants to support program growth and approximately 25,000 per year to send staff to
Israel for training. We remain committed to eliminating financial barriers, offering micro-grants for innovation,
and building strong, sustainable programs in camps across North America. The goal is always the same: to
make Hebrew meaningful, engaging, and a natural part of camp life.

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Proven Impact

The 2021 study of Kayitz Kef, conducted in partnership with the Areivim Philanthropic Group and Rosov
Consulting at Camp Ramah Nyack, compared the Hebrew immersion track, Sha’ar, with the general camp
program. Parents from both groups were surveyed about their children’s connection to Israel and Israelis.
Results showed that Sha’ar campers were perceived as more connected, more able to communicate in Hebrew,
and more positive about the Hebrew language, Israel, and Israelis. Parents of Sha’ar campers were also more
likely to attribute their child’s connection to Israel and Israelis to the camp experience.

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Sustaining and Expanding the Vision

Kayitz Kef has accomplished a great deal with a remarkably small and dedicated team. The organization currently has one full-time employee, who serves as Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and lead trainer. A part-time staff member supports training efforts, and a team of four to five consultants works seasonally to mentor camps. Despite this limited staffing, Kayitz Kef has delivered high- quality Hebrew immersion experiences across a growing network of camps.

To grow and sustain our work, we must expand our core staff. Our ability to meet increasing demand and to maintain excellence in training and support is directly tied to building a stronger team.

We are fortunate to have received multi-year support from the Steinhardt Foundation. However, this funding ends in 2026, which leaves us faced with the real and urgent need to replace that foundational support. Other funders have contributed and are deeply valued, but their support has enabled only modest growth and ourvision is greater.

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With additional investment, Kayitz Kef plans to:
*Develop new methods to measure program success and language development among campers,
providing tools to understand and demonstrate impact
*Offer additional financial assistance to camps that may struggle to afford the integration of a Hebrew
language program, allowing them to hire Hebrew-speaking staff or expand programming
*Bring Hebrew into small Jewish community camps that often lack access to immersive language education
*Provide training and support for cohorts of camp-based Hebrew professionals
*Introduce specialty training tracks (such as STEM, art, music) for incubator camps interested in unique
applications of Hebrew
*Expand our pool of mentors by deepening relationships with Consortium partner institutions and
cultivating and investing in "home-grown" candidates from within our camp network

 

Although there are smaller scale initiatives by other organizations working in the space of Hebrew
engagement at camp, they tend to focus on a more sociolinguistic approach, emphasizing the importance of
Hebrew language, rather than the acquisition of the language itself. Kayitz Kef stands apart in its commitment
to the practical, lived experience of acquiring Hebrew through informal, immersive methods.

 

With sustained and increased support Kayitz Kef will reach more communities, deepen its partnerships, and
enhance the experience for current participants. We are ready to grow with intention, ensuring that Hebrew
immersion at camp continues to shape Jewish identity and connection for years to come.