A Remnant of Personal History
2018 Update: When I posted these photographs in 2016 I had no idea what would happen. These photographs have inspired former campers at Cejwin to share their experiences in the comments. This post has gone from being about photography to being a community. If you are here to see my work, also read the comments so you can see how that these simple dilapidated buildings profoundly impacted the lives of the people who came to this camp. There are experiences shared below from the 1940’s through the 90’s when the camp closed its doors.
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We recently visited what is left of Cejwin Camps in Port Jervis, New York. The camp was founded in 1918 to provide a summer in nature and fresh air for New York City’s Jewish children. The camp, like all summer camps, provided an opportunity for kids to bond, have fun, and maybe learn something they could take into adulthood that would be useful. Its location in rural New York, just 90 minutes from Manhattan, allowed Cejwin to thrive and open seven camps to serve around 1000 kids.
Until recent generations, parents thought it was important for their kids to spend time outdoors in the natural world. That has changed along with what people choose to do with their summers. Cejwin fell victim to those changes and closed its doors in the 1990’s. After Cejwin, a Christian group took over and established a camp there for a few years. Now most of the camp property is being developed into housing. When we were there, only one of the boys camps, Aviv, was accessible.
This photo shoot was very personal. My wife spent 10 years at Cejwin Camps as a kid and has many happy memories. I’ve seen old black and white photos of her as a goofy, giggly teenager fooling around with her bunk mates. These somewhat out of focus antics of a bunch of 14 year-olds document experiences that helped shape the mature and intelligent person my wife is today. This place is so much a part of her past that being at Cejwin and photographing what remains of it was quite a powerful experience for both of us.
The Cabins
These simple structures were full of children being children. My wife has many fond memories of what camp professionals would call “Cabin Life.” She remembers activities at camp, but really remembers what happened in these little buildings where, as she has said, she could just be herself.
Camp Activities
The goal of Cejwin Camps was to expose Jewish children to nature, healthy activities and each other. What remains at the Aviv sub-camp are the wood shop, the basketball courts and the waterfront which was a haven on hot days. The camp offered a lot of other activities too, but none of that is evident anymore.
What Happened After Cejwin Camps
After Cejwin Camps closed in the 1990’s a Christian organization took over and ran a camp there for a few years. Some of the religious decorations remain on the buildings although most of the camp is run down and full of debris where buildings have been torn down. There is another section where the cabins were fairly well maintained that was fenced off, so we did not photograph there.
Remnants of Cejwin
Not much is left that distinguishes Cejwin Camps’ Jewish identity. Hebrew letters on the side of a building that may have been a canteen, some pre-1990 graffiti inside some of the buildings, and a worktable marked Aviv Shop.
These may very well be the last photographs made of Cejwin before it is totally gone. The rustic cabins and buildings are far from architectural gems and are probably not worth preserving. But it’s not the buildings that are important, it is what happened inside of them that matters. These photographs hopefully will help preserve experiences that are cherished by many of the campers who spent time here.
I know this post is being shared among Cejwin Camps’ alumni group. If you attended this camp, please leave a comment below with thoughts and memories of your time at camp. Help us show what these dilapidated buildings meant when they were structurally sound and full of children.
See more photographs of Cejwin Camps on my website.
Enjoy
I spent three years at Cejwin in the early 70s, as a waiter. If you worked in the kitchen most people will think ok of Mr. Gluck who was the tyrant of All who worked in the kitchen. Some of the best years of my life. Such a shame to see it like this. I went back to my bungalow colony and it was just like your photos. They were building private houses on what I considered sacred land. Time doesn’t stand still, but both of our girls spent their summers at Camp Harlem in the Poconos. They are now both nearly 30 and yet they still see and love the friends they made.
Thanks for your comment Rich. I think it is important to remember that the staff, as well as the campers, had great experiences at Cejwin. Thanks again for sharing that.
I attended Camp Cejwin from 1942, and the next 20 years. After a summer in Yonim, I spent summers in Hadar, Carmel, etc Please help me locate any reunion structure that still might be existence. Thanking you in advance——Alan Berkowsky
Dear Alan,
I note that you and I may have both been at Cejwin Camps during the summer of 1946. Do you recall Tish’ah B’Av services being led by Rabbi Archie Klein? I’ve never forgotten the way he led us in the 3rd chapter of Megillat Eikhah.
wow!! Cejwin!!!Truly the best five summers of my life. I sometimes joke that it was a ZIONIST Training Center. It was there that Zionism at its purist form was sparked for me and it has resulted in a lifelong love for Israel and and Judaism. My three children attended a different kind of camp – but they too love their camp. I can still taste the Challah Rolls with the lox cream cheese and yes Pizza Bagels! But remembering the Days of Color War, sleep outs at Lemrac, and all the Israeli Dancing are moments of my youth that I hope never to forget. I will say that to this day my Best CAMP Friend is still my BEST life friend and the values I learned at Cejwin lasted a lifetime.
Thanks for sharing these memories of your time at Cejwin Renee. This was obviously 5 summers that strongly helped shape your life. Sometime I’m going to have to try a pizza bagel. You are not the only one who has mentioned those here.
Ah, Cejwin! From the the time I was 13 until I was 23 I spent summers there first as a camper in Carmel and Aviv, and then as a CIT in Hadar (the youngest camp) and as the Arts and Crafts counselor in Carmel. My brother went, as well as all my cousins. We kids could do all the family things together without parents! I have pictures and vivid memories of so much of what has made me me today. Joyous memories, and so sad to see it this way.
Thanks for sharing your memories here, David. You touched on one of the strongest aspects of the camp experience, which is kids spending time away from their parents and learning and thriving. You had the added experience of being able to do that with other family members.
Awesome photos ! The cejwin phenomenon was an essential and critical stage of development for many of us. A universe unto itself. Any one if those pics can serve the definition of the word nostalgia for me.
Thanks for your comment, and compliment. I’m happy that these photographs stirred some nostalgia for you.
I loved my time at Cejwin (1989-1992). This is the magical place where we were allowed to just “be”. I made wonderful friends at Cejwin who helped mold me through adolescence. I lived in Miami and couldn’t wait to spend my summers in the mountains in NY.
My memories include Shabbat dancing, maccabiah, nsshball, night bunk raids, waterfront docks, wood shop, crisp air during morning tefilah at flagpole, and Spod cups.
Thank you so much for sharing your memories of Cejwin Monica. I love that you remember the crisp air in the morning. I’ve never heard of Spod cups. I’ll have to ask my wife about those.
Great four years of my life and some of the best summers ever. Cejwinites are like family. You can stay out of touch and reunite as if you’ve never been apart, with memories of camp always the forefront of conversation.
It’s very sad to see the facilities like this but through social media such as our FB group, we can keep our memories of those fond times alive.
Those who have never had the Cejwin experience just don’t understand. I’m so greatful for my parents being able to send me there. I fondly remember all the pre camp preparations and the excitement that ensued. In honor of cejwin I think we all need to eat tuna on rye with potato chips and frozen strawberries for Shabbat lunch tomorrow. Don’t forget to wash it down with bug juice. L”chaim!
By the way, I posted a photo of Vivian not long ago. We were bunk mates .
Thanks for your comment Miriam. I never went to Cejwin but being married to a Cejwin camper for 40+ years, hopefully earns me a role as an honorary Cegwinite. I did see your photo and some others of Vivian on the Facebook group. It’s amazing to think that we were all that young once.
I went to Cejwin throughout the 70s and have lots of great memories. Swamping canoes, pizza bagels, camping, sports, learning to play the rabbis electric guitar, midnight raids to the girls campus, services and more services, Johnny’s, Northerns… It was a great experience and means more to me now as an adult than it did at the time.
Thanks for sharing all those memories, Eric. Pizza bagels must have been good.
Thanks so much for the photos and the post. Among other things, Cejwin was the place where in the course of the summer you could get so close 2 people that it could literally take Years to do the same back at home. Really a beautiful thing.
Also, I wouldn’t consider myself a very good Jew. But as someone who felt imprisoned at Hebrew school, Cejwin absolutely helped establish the foundation for me and what I know of and relate to in Judaism.
I’d go back in a minute!
A quick question on the blog. When you say the Aviv shop, do you mean the only wood shop?
I was there from 1979 to 90 and most of that time the campus where the shop was was Chavurah. I know that that was a change, but there was only one shop, right?
Hi Scott. Thanks for your comment and for sharing your thoughts about Cejwin. To answer your question when we were there we found a table that was labeled Aviv Shop. It is shown in the last photograph on this post. I recently found out that what we thought was the social hall was actually the wood shop. It was called the Aviv-Aviva-Chavurah Shop. The two photographs are now correctly labeled on the post.
My brother was a waiter. I was a camper in 76 or 77. My brother beat hell out of a couple of antisemitic “townies” one night and was sent home for his own safety. Does anyone remember this?
Thanks for your comment Eric. I did a quick search online to see if there was any information about that incident with your brother but could not find anything.
Hi everyone.
I just found these posts about Cejwin. I was there the night that Mike Lamonsoff beat up the two anti semites. He came to my defense after those two idiots assaulted me with no provocation.
He did the right thing.
Thanks again Mike
As a “townie” I never experienced nor heated of such a thing. I lived only a few miles north of Cejwin from the time I was 3 until the late 1970’s when I moved out of state to finish my professional education and start a family. I only have fond memories of the campers and staff that were either a part of my life or made acquaintance with in the normal course of life in Huguenot. We locals knew to stay off site during camp season. With permission we enjoyed hiking, fishing there in the off season. We’d occasionally fish on the swampy side in the summer, an area none of the campers seemed to ever utilize. The only 2 potential issues my group of friends and I had was when we’d ride our bicycles from Peenpack Trail/Martins road all the way into Port. It was an old unkept road considered a much safer route than biking down 209 into Port. More importantly it went from a friend’s front porch right into Port without being seen by nor having to “ask permission “ from my parents. I’m thinking it took us through the girls camp? I was 11-13 at the time so not about the kinder gender. It was about adventure and sneaking into Port. The second issue was an occasional incursion on our part to fish off a length of dock we found in the swamp. It had apparently broken away during high water time and never reclaimed. We’d manage 4 guys on it before it would sink. Perfect for poking along with poles and spending some offshore fishing time. Occasionally some of the male campers in canoes would see us and attempt to slay the invaders. A lot of yelling, splashing, etc but no real fights. Mostly very shallow waters where the canoes would get hung up. A few times it resulted in just floating around together talking about where the campers were from, country life and invitations to visit again. I actually worked with one of those boys 20+ years later in an up state hospital. One ED shift He mentioned being a camper at a camp just outside NYC. The conversation went on from there with him remembering the invaders on the broken dock raft. Imagine that. As I grew into my teens activities moved away from daylong hikes and fishing to other activities and eventually summer jobs in the region. Recreational activities grew into guy/girl dating leaving no time for the simple pleasures of floating along on a decrepit raft. The most vivid memory of the camp during my older teens was the sheer number of campers. Seemed like thousands on the athletic fields and walking Rt 209 to Port Jervis. I remember when campers were injured and one died from car/pedestrian accidents. Also a drowning one summer. So sad. I have always made it a priority to look over the camp, mainly from the side of Rt 209, when I visit the area. Saddened when it was in decline then overjoyed when it seemed to make a comeback. One of my high school classmates purchased a large portion of the camp. He built a home on the backside and helped establish a Christian ministry on the site. Regardless of ownership it served as a wonderful facility for the development of kids and adults alike. I too am sad to see it fade into housing development. My memories of Cejwin are a welcome pleasure.
Jim Gardner
Best summers of my life (1975-1979)! It was my refuge from neighborhood bullying. I loved Israel dancing including the dance festival. Plays in the Syn/Aud and Zimriah. Most of all I loved the sense of community. It was a combination summer camp and bungalow colony. A truly uniquely Jewish place.
Thanks Sharon for taking the time to comment here. I’m glad you had Cejwin as a refuge for 5 years. It seems you have some really beautiful memories of the camp.
I was at camp in the mid 70s as a counselor. I was known for my Shabbat stories about The Wise Men of Chelm. What a great experience due in large part to a wonderful staff and great kids. Dane Perelstein
I remember standing by the road in Hadas wondering when I’d ever be old enough to be in Aviva. It seemed like forever
Thanks for commenting here Caren. I hope you made it to Aviva.
Wow. Thank you for bringing me back to a wonderful place. Some of the best memories are my summers at cejwin. As an adult now I still speak to all of my bunk mates and we are sisters forever. Cejwin is a big part of who I am today.
Thanks for your comment Beth. I hope these photographs help stir some very happy memories for you. Seeing these comments here and on the Facebook group shows how wonderful this place was for many many people.
I certainly appreciate your photo but they depressed me. I was a camper from 1958 until 1964 (Hadar thru Aviv). Then I became a speciality counselor handling the movies in camp and working on the Stage at the Synagogue Auditorium, which burnt down about a year ago (probably arson), By the way did not see any pictures of what is left of that building. In any case, the pictures were a nice update of what is going on at the site, but it is still missed by those of us that love the people and the place. It was the best experience of my young life.
Thank you for your comment Josh and sharing your history at Cejwin. When we were there the only thing left of the Synagogue Auditorium was the chimney. Even though that wasn’t really vey photogenic, I am sorry we didn’t stop to photograph it because it that building must have played a big role in everyone’s experience. I’m sorry to have depressed you, but hope these photographs balanced that out by bringing back some happy memories of your 7 years at Cejwin.
Thanks for taking and posting your photos. My wife and I were there two years ago, and the memories came flooding back. My brother, Ron, and I attended Cejwin from 1966 until around 1975. His experience culminated with a trip to Israel with LTC, while I was a Carmel DH.
Thanks for your comment Bert. While I didn’t go to Cejwin, My wife, who was a Cejwin camper had the same feelings you two did while walking around. It seemed every step along the way brought back a memory about her time there.
Hi
I have the fondest memories of camp
I attended summer of 1964 as a Carmela girl through LTC
Then to Israel with LTC
Cejwin help shape my Jewish identity ruch etc
Ad an adult I have continued with all the traditions including being the executive director of my synagogue in Boca raton fl and involved with Jewish Federation
The memories and relationships will remain in my heart forever
Warm regards
Elissa RAWITZ Schosheim
Thank you so much for taking the time to add your comment here, Elissa. Your experiences at Cejwin have obviously shaped the person you are today. Being involved your Synagogue and the Federation, organizations dedicated to helping others, shows how those camp experiences shaped your life.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to be back at Cejwin circa 1989.
Thank you so much for your comment Naomi. I’m sure there are many would would want to join you on a trip back to 1989.
I loved my time at Cejwin (Hadas – Aviva then LTC and Israel). I credit Cejwin for my strong Jewish identity, love of swimming, canoeing, and Israeli dancing. Great memories and friends. So sad what has happened to beautiful property. Lake Wendy still looks good. Thanks for the pictures.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post Janet. Thanks for your comment and for sharing your memories. It is sad what has happened to Cejwin but I hope you take comfort in knowing that thousands of people have built strong identities and relationships from this place.
It looks like you had a fun and thorough time shooting this site and you’re certainly getting a varied portfolio of abandoned places!
My grandmother-in-law, Tillie Endel Hyman, gave the money to buy the land that Cejwin was built on. She was the first treasurer of the Board, followed by her son-in-law, Dr. Harold K. Addelston. I married his only child, Peter. My mother was an Admin. sec’y for years, my father came up as a weekend warrior, later helped out in Transportation when my mom was its head. Peter started in Yonim, age 4. I started in Hadas, age 7- the glory days of Ella Kornweiss, Syd Taylor, Sarah Lang, Henny & Charlotte – the All-of-a-Kind Family immortalized by Syd’s stories of growing up on the Lower East side. Camper, waitress, relief counselor, DH (GO! Deborahs!), waterfront for close to 2 decades = 36 extraordinary summers. Peter became Dungeon-Master and was responsible for the plays put on in the Syn-Aud; as well as audio-tech all over camp. He died there at age 56, tragically young. Our two children are Fourth Generation. Pre-camp setting up was the best – sorting out luggage that arrived by JBWilliams huge semi-trucks and anticipating a glorious summer. Planting a garden in Hadas that we harvested post-camp. The beauty of Shabbat – Sabbath angels in white with blue sashes; onegs on the lawn with stale cookies & warm punch, athletics, cultural activities, nature, Sing, Zimriyah, Maccabiah, LTC, visiting scholars, the first female Rabbi, Israeli Scouts – learning how to live together, pride in the creation of Israel – some of us experienced that thrill… The activities inside those ruined buildings created lasting friendships, led to many marriages! and instilled a life-long love of Judaism in so many ways. Dr. Albert P. Schoolman & his dedicated wife, Bertha – would have been proud of their legacy. From a few short weeks of rural escape for lower east side Jewish children to a major force in Jewish camping, our leadership and special people spread all over the world and keep the flame of memory alive. Yes, hard to see the inevitable collapse of physical structures – but the ideals we learned there are indestructible and will forever endure.
The sadness of its demise can only be ameliorated by continuing to demonstrate that the values we learned there survive.
Thanks for the pictures…glad your Cejwinite wife persuaded you to return and share with us all…A Happy, Safe and Healthy 5777 to all….Susan Addelston
Thank you Susan for sharing this amazing piece of history and your deep personal and family ties to Cejwin. What you said about ideals being indestructible is very beautiful. By the way, my wife remembers you.
Elle, Syd, Henny and Charlotte are my aunts. My father Irving was on of two sons the other being Jerry. There were five sisters. My mother Ethel worked in the New York office for Cejwin camps many years. She was a den mother when I was nine attending the camp. Later at age 17 I was a waiter. I was a bad camper and a worse waiter but I do remember the good times. I also went up to the camp after the season with my future wife as invited with my parents.I must see what’s left and I will go On July 3,2017. I just went back to my bungalow days in Peekskill, and yes found out just where I stayed.
Thanks for sharing this memory Michael. I would be interested in hearing what you find left of Cejwin when you go there.
My wife and i went to the Cejwin Camps site on July 3, 2017. There is a sign now showing a christian camps area. The road I entered is called Tr-State Camp road.I found several closed older buildings rusty red and some faded white in color. There was also the remnants of a stone furnace chimney. I know that this was the camp as there was a lake with a one way bridge separating the boys and girls side . Some of the area is intermingled with newer and refurbished buildings. No person was around . There was also some campers and buildings on the girls side in a tree area. Some old structures were to the left that to me were the remnant cabins. I remember the open meadow field to the right as you enter the camp. At the end of the field were cabins for the waiters and other hired help. I was a waiter at the camp when I was 17 years old. I broke a full rack of juice glasses which I was told set a record. I could not find the dining building. One night the waiters placed a canoe on top of the building .There was a group of deaf cooks and butchers from a college in the South. One being a wrestler bet the waiters he could lose 15 pounds in one day and the waiters lost that bet. I took many photos.
These are amazing stories…Ella was my great grandmother, Sydney, Gertie, Henny, and Charlotte were my great aunts …I loved those times at camp. It felt like everyone was family…
Just read the NY TIMES book review FROM SARAH TO SYDNEY:All of a kind Family by J Cummins w/ A Dunietz. Had no idea about this author Syd Taylor! My mom went to Cejwin. I went there for 3 days, when I was about 9 years old, 1968?homesick kid, left. Sounds like I missed out❤️
Thanks Denise. I have wanted to photograph here ever since I got involved with abandoned places because it was a big part of my wife’s life when she was growing up. Based on the other comments here there were many people who were touched deeply by life in these simple little cabins.
i spent “my entire life” at Cejwin…from 1949-1968…with 2 one year misses. From Yonim to the Boys Kitchen…with stops in each of the boys’ camps, duty as “gate boy” and stints in both kitchens. I grew up….there. The memories are too many…the people are too many…the Jewish identity too great….to put them all down here.
Hardly and day or week goes by without something bringing me back to Port Jervis and Cejwin. I was a staff kid….my mother was Head Nurse at the Boys Infirmary….but even with that pull…I could never get on the malted milk line!!!!
So many good thoughts….singing the opening of Pirates of Penzance—chugging from my bottle of rum….and quickly realizing that Peter had indeed made the prop real.
Gotta put on my long pants and long sleeve shirt….Tante Fanny is standing inspection on the way to the dining room….still tired…someone put a towel at the end of my bed and Max woke me for fishing—-could go on and on…must stop
Shabbat Shalom….Shana Tova
Michael, thanks for a few memories of your long history at Cejwin. Almost 20 years, wow! My wife was also a staff kid. Her mother worked as a dietician in the kitchen.
I spent the Summer of 1947
12 years old and remember
the softball,games which,
led me a lifetime in,baseball.
more comes flooding back….speak of floods…do we remember helicopters landing on the main field, delivering supplies to the hurricane ravaged Port Jervis area? I can still see the ball I hit arching over Aviv bunk 17 during the Cookie Bar v. Hertzel all star came when I was in bunk 1….How many rye breads did I slice in preparation for visiting day and the ubiquitous salami? Must admit, lo after these many years….we, in the kitchen, did misappropriate sheets of brownies when they were backed….sorry if you couldn’t get thirds!!! It was really strange to walk into my high school and see Morty Abler—swim counselor, there as a teacher. How many know, that the main canteen, when viewed from above, was/is in she shape of a Magen David?
again….gotta stop
Again, thank you so much for sharing your memories.
Wonderful pictures. Oh my, this sure brought back memories of many summers I spent in the UP of Michigan as a child. Now all those places are torn down or in terrible shape. My five grandchildren are taken camping in Wisconsin twice in the summer, initially bewailing their fate of NO ELECTRONICS! At the end, they actually talk to each other! And each spring they get upset if the camping gear isn’t prepared and plans made. Bravo for the outdoors and playtime just to be free to be yourself!
Jo Ann, I’m a big fan of curing our young of Nature Deficit Disorder by giving them experiences in the great outdoors. I’m happy to hear your Grandchildren are having such a rewarding experience.
It’s so sad when a place which holds many treasured memories simply ceases to exist.
This is so true although it is nice to see and example here of how these places live on in the memories and experiences of those who spent time in them.
What a special place to remember.
Thanks Laura. This place has had a strong influence on my wife and her family and friends from camp. I think the memories shared here are even more important than the photographs I made.
Aww that’s so nice Rich. You’re welcome. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
For the summers of 1983 through I think 1986 I worked at Cejwin as a nurse and as a lifeguard on the waterfront. My children were campers with the youngest starting camp at age 6 months it is the ruach that I cherish, the Friday night singing and dancing. It has been so hard to find a comparable experience in real life.
Thanks for sharing your Cejwin experience here, Sue
I was a city girl, and my parents sent me and my brother to Cejwin Camps from 1978-1980. I had the most awesome times and made so many friends. I still remember the sound of the Bull frogs late at night (wow…I was like “what the Hell is that noise ??). I played on the softball/basketball teams representing Aviva Camp. My favorite activity was Israeli dancing Friday nights and the Olympic games. I will do anything for another taste of the delicious baby onion rolls served every Sunday morning with a slab of butter. I have tried and failed….cannot find those onion rolls anywhere on the planet!! Yummmm…. onion rolls. I found old pictures of myself at Cejwin on a”vimeo” website, and I found out I STILL have the same haircut. I like to give a big Hello to the cutest guy at Cejwin Camps….Scott Zipes (gee..I still remember this guy’s name !!). Scott was the best basketball player ever ! Thanks for the best memories of Cejwin Love Randi.
Thanks for sharing your Cejwin memories, Randi. this place obviously had a big influence on your life. By the way, I like to try some of those onion rolls you talk about.
I attended Cejwin from 1987 to 1992 (the close). I am now at the process of looking for a sleep away camp for my children. Any recommendations on camps as great as Cejwin. thanks!
Hi Barrie. Thanks for your comment. It must have been tough to see the end of a camp like Cejwin. Anyway, the only sleep away camp I can recommend is here in the New Jersey Pinelands called YMCA Camp Ockanickon. Their website is http://www.ycamp.org. I’m on their Board of Directors because it is a great camp, but I don’t know if it will meet the needs of your children.
I went to Cejwin in the late 60’s/early 70’s. Seeing these photos brought back fond memories and also touched me with an unexpected melancholy. Thank you for sharing these.
You are very welcome Meri. The camp was very important to my wife too so it was an honor to be able to document what is left. Those old cabins contain hundreds, if not thousands, of life change memories for many people.
My name at the time was Meri Rosenzweig, in case any bunk-mates are viewing this!
I was a camper at Cejwin for two summers in the 1976-1978 time frame when I was around 8-10 years old. I came from upstate NY whereas most of the other kids came from NYC. I really enjoyed my summers at Cejwin and the sense of freedom that I had from being ‘on my own’ for the first time.
I remember well the ‘raids on the girls camp’ that we did- once we snuck across camp and were in the girl’s bunk we had no idea what we were supposed to do. I remember the super scary stories about “Cropsy” the deranged killer that roamed the backwoods that the counselors would tell us about. I remember the endless baseball games on the big field in blistering heat. I remember being so proud that I passed the Red Cross test for boating. I remember lights out and staying up to talk about girls.
Cejwin was a great experience, and an important part of my childhood.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience at Cejwin. My wife was there earlier than you and I imagine she had a few “visits” from the boys camp at times. There is no doubt in my mind that Cejwin Camps was a positive and important part in thousands of kids lives.
I was the out door counselor back in the summer of 1967. I recently was going through a lot of old books and was surprised to find my copy of the “Songbook of the Cejwin Camps”
I loved rowing across the lake to the “overnight” camp site. Even the one time when there was a torrential downpour that some people wanted us to come back “because it would be safer!”
Memories of our youth!
Thanks for sharing your experience at Cejwin David. As an out door counselor, you probably have quite a few stories to tell.
I happen to be staying in Port Jervis tonight on my way North from Florida and thought of Cejwin and wondered if it still existed. This led my to your photo essay. Sad to see that it is no longer in existence. I attended the summers of 1961, 62 and 63, first in one of the youngest groups Yonim. I was only 7 that first year and really didn’t want to be at camp. At the age of ten my brother and I went to Lohikan as my brother really wanted to attend the same camp as his friends. Though in general I really didn’t want to be at camp that first year — very homesick — as we continued for 2 more years I grew to enjoy the nurturing environment, loved singing in services and enjoyed working with Sid Taylor – noted author — on plays and musicals she wrote. I wish we had continued there. I was really beginning to enjoy my Jewish heritage.
Hi Robin. I’m glad you found this post. Thanks for your for sharing your Cejwin memories. While the physical camp may no longer exist, the strong impact it has had on thousands of children is still evident by your’s and others’ comments.
I spent a total of 15 years at camp spanning four decades. There were different configurations each tine I left and returned.The loss of the girl’s side was the beginning of the end, When the Tri State organization took over and then the Syn Aud burned down I felt no sadness. Cejwin was long gone. The friendships remain thanks to the internet.
Thanks for your comment Lynne. It is a nice thought that you don’t miss the physical camp because the effects of the camp in the form of friendships remain.
Hey, Rich. Thanks for putting this website together with the stories and pictures (although their current state is so sad). This summer marks the 50th anniversary of my last year at camp. In 1964 and 65 I was in Aviv (super-Herzl in 65). In 1966 and 1967 I was a waiter. I loved being in Aviv, but being a waiter was awesome. You were still in camp, but with much more autonomy. Even got days off where you could do whatever you wanted or nothing at all. One time, one of our waiters was reprimanded and was told to go home. The rest of us went on “strike” and took a nice long walk just before lunch into town. Counselors and admin had to do the serving that meal. I think we won out and our friend was given another chance. But, the best time was our midnight “raids” to the waitresses. I put raids in quotes because it was actually more of a social call. Great comradery and friendships. I wish I could turn back time for a while to experience everything again. Was in Port Jervis recently and visited Homer’s (the luncheonette). I told a worker there my story and she pointed to some old mid-70’s and 80’s photos on the wall. I said I was flattered, but I’m talking about the mid-60’s! Anyway, fast forward fifty years and I have to tend to my grandchildren now!
Thanks again for posting all this. God bless…
Hi Bob. Thanks for sharing your story of Cejwin. Seeing these photographs of Aviv in it’s current state (as of last year) must be hard. Still I’m glad it stirred your memories and you saw fit to share them here. Your story is one that honors these old wooden building as more than just a place for kids in the summer, but a place to create memories and lives base on those memories. Thank you so much for your comment.
My first foray into sleep away camp started with a camp representative coming to our Flushing apartment in the winter of 1961 with a projector set up in the living room.
2 minutes into the film, I was in!
I was going to turn 11 mid-July, and yes, I had a birthday cake and had hundreds of my fellow campers sing “Happy Birthday”. I recall near the end of camp we had a “Birthday Ball”, where campers sat at tables with fellow birthday-month campers.
What motivated me to write is the upcoming solar eclipse. With the benefit of an internet search, I found that on July 20, 1963, there was a total eclipse of the sun. We were forbidden to leave the bunk with the warning that viewing the event would result in future loss of eyesight. We were taught how to experience the eclipse with pinhole devices, but I recall that that was a letdown.
Camp Cejwin was the start of camping life for me for 9 summers. That’s where I learned the Birchat Hamazon, and still sing it with glee.
For me and 3 of my best friends from camp, all of us retired, there was no better place on earth to be in July and August. I wish I could go back even now.
So funny, I remember the solar eclipse there as well. They had us all in a building with coverings over the windows. I was 9. I also share your memory of learning the Birshat Hamazon though some parts are starting to fade. I guess I need to sing it more often!
There are so many memories above. I remember well Tante Fanny, who was affectionately called Tante Tokhis! I also tied a white towel at the foot of my bed so her husband Uncle Max would take me fishing. I was in Yonim in 1955 during the big hurricane, and continued on to 1965 as a waiter Thank you so much for the pictures. A bit sad, but bring back many wonderful memories. And I would give anything for the brownie recipe!!! Thanks again
Leslie, thanks for sharing a few of your 10 years of Cejwin memories. It is sad the camp doesn’t exist, but its success is the life-long positive impact it had on so many young lives.
Even though I ony spent like 6 weeks at Camp Cejwin in the summer of 1978 I will never forget that time. The heat in the kitchen, the ice cold lemonade, my first kiss from an American girl, my introduction as a non-jewish Duch boy to the kosher kitchen, late night skinny dippng in the lake, sneaking under the fence to drink beer at he nearby cafe, playing football with all the foreigners, warm instead of cold rain showers. And meeting people like Jean-Marc who also worked in the kitchen and could barely speak English at that time and Richard Gardner who worked as a waiter whom I last saw some 15 years ago in Boston. And al those flies in those bunks, we must have killed hundreds of them but they still kept coming. Since then lots of things happened and I worked in advertising, film distribution and film production (I have produced films like Black Book, Winter in Wartime and Suskind). Been to the States many times but except for Richard never met anybody from Cejwin ever again. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.
Thanks for you detailed and and quite fascinating memory of your brief time at Cejwin. You are also the first foreign worker at the camp to weigh in here so your comment helps complete the story being told on the blog post. By the way I am very familiar with your work in film. Black Book and Winter In Wartime are incredible and deeply moving films.
my brother & i went to cejwin in the 50’s along with 9 of my first cousins. my father & his sisters also attended camp i guess in the 30’s, my aunt marilyn frisch was the director of yonim. so many wonderful memories of friendships, sports, color war and dramatics. i once had to run down the “bowl” with flowers on my head and a flowing cape. i was in all of our plays and loved every moment, i had a wonderful relationship with ella and sydney and treasure my copies of ‘all in the family.” if anyone remembers being in aviva with counselor mickey please contact me. long live cejwin, gone but not forgotten!
Thanks for sharing your memories Nina. For Cejwin was a family affair that obviously had a bing impact on you thorough out your life. Cejwin is definitely not forgotten.
Came upon these pix today by accident. I was there ’61 – ’63, Hadar and Carmel. We took a ride up one day in summer 1994 and could barely find it. It was the second year as a small Christian camp. The management gave us free reign and I remember how much of the facility was abandoned even then and how the old records were strewn all over the administration building, as were hundreds of Jewish books. My wife’s cousin had been a counselor in my time but by the end was a board member and how much that board struggled financially in the last years to the point that it had become somewhat nonsectarian by the end in 1992. I had heard that the old synagogue/social hall had burned down a couple of years ago, but these pictures are heartbreaking. Funny you mention Ockanickon – 10 minutes away from our house – I’m sure a great camp experience too but so much different from Cejwin.
Sorry Bob but it was never non sectarian.
They did take a large number of non-Jewish kids, mostly poor from the city, the last few years.
I think you mean after it was sold to the Tri Christian Camps. I worked at Cejwin the last five years and my children were campers there. That would have been in addition to the ten years I was there in the earlier days.There might have been one or two children that were not Jewish.
I came to this cite in a circuitous way. I was reading the children’s book All of a Kind Family and googling the author, Sydney Taylor and learned that she attended Cejwin for years and years until her death and had a very close association with it.
I was familiar with the camp in Port Jervis, NY because I attended a camp that was very close by, called Camp Indian Trails, in Milford, PA. They were so close that it was common for buses with children on their way to CIT, to take a wrong turn and end up at Cejwin. Though Indian Trails was not a Jewish camp, I believe the majority of campers were Jewish.
I spent two summers at Camp Ramah (Nyack and in Pennsylvania). Many of my Jewish experiences there were similar to Cejwin.
Camp Indian Trails has a significant group presence on Facebook which could be done with Cejwin Camp.
Thanks for your insight Bob. I’m glad you stumbled on my blog and took the time to write your comment and give us a glimpse of the camp after Cejwin closed. One can only imagine what it must have been like to be on the board trying to save a nearly 100 year old institution, that did so much good, at its end. Camp Ockanickon is a very different camp although tries to impart many of the same values to kids. I serve on their board and it is a challenge keeping summer camp relevant in this digital age.
Thanks for those wonderful pictures of “what once was”; I attended Cejwin for four years from 1957 to 1960. The first two years as a camper and the last two years as a C.I.T. Four wonderful years where I really grew up…. Before that experience, I hardly ever dated a girl, yet at camp, I went “steady” for four consecutive summers. My most vivid memories were all the sports, the socials and the evenings in the Canteen. Also, the sneak ventures at night to the girls side to see our girlfriends, only to find out soon thereafter, that someone blew our cover. Sliding down Motorcycle mountain was another favorite. With all these wonderful experiences, the most important one was the special friendships one had. By happen-chance, I met a fellow camper (Jeff Miller) several years ago playing golf. It was really nice re-living our Cejwin experiences.
Sad to see the condition of our bunks and waterfronts….but it is nice we all seem to keep the good memories.
Thanks for sharing your memories of camp. You were only there for 4 summers, yet the memories have stayed with you your whole life. While the physical presence of Cejwin may be fading, the influence it had on your’s and thousands of other lives has not. Thanks again for helping to complete the Cejwin story here on this blog.
Just found this web site and am happy I did. I was a camper there from 1949 to 1956—Yonim (or Hadar) to Aviv My sisters, Carol and Rhona were there on the girls side in the early 50’s. My father, Dr. Simon Mendelsberg, (Mendy) was the camp doctor for a few summers He and our mother stayed on the peninsula . He had been a swimming counselor there back in the 30’s and was a friend of Dr Schoolman. My aunt, Lillian Biener worked in the admin building and my cousins Jeff and Alan were also campers about that time. I have a few old pictures of us there some where and will try to find them. It has been well over 60 years but the memories remain.
Thanks for sharing your memories of camp here Jerry. There is a long and wonderful story to be told about Cejwin Camps.
I was in the Port Jervis neighborhood recently and told my wife about when I attended Cejwin from 1941 to 1943. I was 4 years old when I started and still remember many of my experiences there. Older members of my family, Fanny Schwartz and her relatives, were camp officials at the time. Thank you for your photo journal of these fond memories.
Thanks for sharing your memories of Cejwin. I bet the camp in the 1940’s was much different than it was in later years.
I was a counsellor at Cejwin in 1946 and enjoyed my time there immensely. I made lifetime friends there.
Thanks for your comment Deborah. You were fortunate enough to be at Cejwin just after the end of WWII which affected so many people. I imagine this was a very healing place to be.
I was a counsellor at Cejwin in 1946 and made lifetime friends there.
I grew up in the red farm house next the Cejwin camp in the 70’s. That house was tore down a few years ago. I was always a little jealous that I didn’t get to go to camp. I remember watching the kids playing and walking down the road to go to the bowling alley. I felt bad when it closed.
Interesting that only you mentioned the Minisink bowling alley, which was such a big part of the after hours social life of the camp when I was a Hadar counselor in 1967.
Much earlier in historyjust after the American Revolution; the camp was the farm of Jacob Gumaer Cuddeback. Family & local lore recounts that the chimney of the later main cabin that burned a few years ago had been part of the Cuddeback farm house.
Does anyone remember taking the train to the camp? The Erie had a Port Jervis stop and there was a connecting line from there that ran north up the valley. The O&W operated the old Port Jervis-Monticello tracks that went right through the camp. The O&W went bankrupt in 1957 and the Erie-Lackawanna used the tracks to shuttle campers as well as to store long-term consists. I remember sitting in a window seat with my family at The Park Lane restaurant across the street one night in the 60s when a train made a stop there. Tracks were taken-up in the late 60s.
Yes . . . I remember taking the train to Cejwin. We would take a ferry to New Jersey and board the Erie. I was a camper – staff from 1943 to 1957. I worked with Peter Adelston on stage lighting, movie projection and event sound systems. I have many wonderful memories.
Warren ….I remember you..My name was Jack Babyatsky …now Barie..Ilived in Port Jervis…My folks ran the Port jervis Bakery….I forgot whether our counselor was Uncle Sam or Ben….I grew up in P.J….went toRPI ,but eventually decided on Medicine …I Graduated from the Albert Einstein college of Medicine…& Retired from radiology approximately 4 years ago…I now live in Boca Raton…I can occasionally Be seen on the “I am Jazz’s reality series on the learning channel.Jazz is my famous Transgender Grandaughter YOU CAN REACH ME AT JBARIE@RAPC.NET
When did your parents run the bakery? 3 of my brothers worked summers there in late 60’s and early 70’s. My family bought all of our bread and pastries there for as long as I have memory. Was so sad when the Singer brothers sold it. Can’t find baked goods like that anymore.
I was a camper in the 1952 -1956 and returned in the late 60’s as Asst Head under Barbara Kirsh for several years. My daughter Libbi was a camper. My mother Sigy worked in Hadas office. It was that kind of a camp. The whole family was welcome and everyone fit in. Friends are far and wide now and we have sadly lost touch but my memories are sharp and forever with me. I experienced my first kiss at the bridge to girl’s side. I swam my first 5 miles over one summer there. Then there was the time I jumped out of a canoe and tried to swim the length of the lake. Miriam (head of Hadas in the 50’s) chased me in a rowboat and finally got me out. I will never forget the wonderful shabat meals and baked goods or the skits and plays and all the music. We were always singing.. The dancing was great too and so were the people. Everyone who went to Cejwin carries the experiences with them with joy. Thanks for this opportunity to share my memories.
Hi Sue,
Wonderful days at Cejwin and Rosemont.
Barbara
My late father attended Cejwin in the 1940s. He started going when he was six years old. From what I was told, his parents wanted to get him out of the Bronx for the summer.
Thank you for sharing this! I remember “our gang” from PJ going there before and after the kids were there and “poaching” the lake skinny dipping for the first time. You could always tell when the Cejwin kids came into town, they seemed to always wear rain coats!
I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Cejwinite from 1964-1974. From Hadar, to Carmel, and thru Aviv I graduated to being a waiter then an Arts & Crafts counselor in Carmel. My mother, Miriam Grossman, was in charge of the mens dining room and the waiters for most of those years so I was a spoiled staff kid. I still treasure my memories of Cejwin and all that I learned about being a good Jew.
1975 to 1979… Anyone remember Crosby?
I just thought about Cejwin for the first time in decades. I was a camper in Aviv c.1960-1963 and then a CIT for a year and then the gateboy. Great experiences. Unfortunately I cannot remember anyone’s names there except I believe there was a Joan Magida(?) from East Rockaway(?) I remember meeting her and a few of her girlfriends at the gate several times in the early sixties. Anyone remember me by chance?
Thanks for your comment Larry. I guess these photos brought back some memories since you were at Aviv. If you are on Facebook, there is a group for Cejwin Alumni. You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2243215896/. Perhaps you can find some of your friends from camp there.
Thank you for the FB link. My late father was a counselor there in 1948, and I’d love to be able to share a photo I have of him at Cejwin from that year.
Wow. Just came upon your website after randomly typing “cejwin” into the google search bar. A flood of memories. I attended in 1971, and came back as one of Stan Montz’s division heads in the summer of 1980, after my junior year in college. Loved it. One of the happiest times of my life. I often think that if I ever won the lottery, I’d quit working as an attorney and buy (and run) a summer camp like cejwin. I’m still crushed that the camp is no more. Thanks for making your photos available to us, and for letting us take over the discussion board on your website. You’ve done a great mitzvah.
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your thoughts about Cejwin. It’s my pleasure to share these photographs and the space for former Cejwin campers to talk about the camp. These photographs are just images of simple buildings. They are nothing without the memories of those who spent time forging their lives in and around them. All of your words, along with these photographs, create the full story which is a story worth telling and remembering.
I was a camper, mother’s helper and a counselor at Cejwin in the mid to late 70s. We felt so grown up. What great memories. I still remember color war, the lake, raids, and even the all white erev shabat dinners. Perhaps the only time services were fun. Sneaking off at night and on days off for pizza and a visit to the local bar. And who could forget the pay phone at the end of the road.
What a gift this website is! My 7 year old granddaughter just got on the bus for her first time at Ramah, and Cejwin memories came flooding back. A real treat to find this. My father (z’l) went to Cejwin in about 1930 (where he spent a night in the infirmary with poison ivy!). And my sister and I went approximately in 1959-61. Three summers that I cherish. I eventually became a Jewish educator for 30 years, which I credit largely to my experiences at Cejwin. My dad had told me when he went there it was called CJI for Central Jewish Institute, so we were second generation campers. One year they had a special day for that and we received badges which I still have somewhere. I feel like I have a lot in common with your wife and all who posted here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment and your heart felt recollections of Cejwin Camps. While it is very sad that this place no longer exists, it’s positive influence on many many generations, as you so beautifully stated, is amazing.
I was a governess at Cejwin in the late ’70s. The comments by “anonymous” above coincide perfectly with my own memories! I was there only two summers, never as a camper, yet what summers they were!
I was at Cejwin in 1974 and 1975 and it was wonderful. I think I was in Hadar, if memory serves. Sydney Taylor of “All-of-a-Kind Family” fame was there as a sort of writer in residence. I have incredible memories of my time there.
When my older sister attended this camp (1958 through 1961), my family would visit the place on visiting day. I remember the railroad line that ran through the center of camp (a spur line of a private railroad), It would race through, with an engine pulling only one car. By the time I attended (1964), the line was shut down, and all the steel rails were removed. But on nature hikes, our group would follow the wooden railroad ties and concrete markers on the ground clear into the forest.
We used to sing a song about Camp Cejwin These were the lyrics; Cejwin slave camps Cejwin slave camps work all day get no pay Cejwin slave camps. Of coarse it was just a joke we all love camp very much and the many memories that we made went there in 1970 the counselor was Andy and the gentleman in charge his name is Dave I don’t know if anybody remembers him
Richard
It is amazing that a “simple” photo spread of a summer camp that was abandoned almost twenty years would continue to have people respond with their own remembrances almost three years after this was started.
As I mentioned two and a quarter years ago, my short relationship at Cejwin is in a way so similar to the over one hundred campers and employees who have great memories of Cejwin.
It is a shame that this property is no longer a camp, a hundred years after it started.
Amazing! Such memories
I attended Cejwin from 1962-64. I had the best time and loved the spirit of the camp. My husband Steve Helfgott also attended Cejwin got 10 years. We were there at the same time but did not know each other. Thanks for posting the pictures. They brought back lots of memories. Miriam Helfgott (née Ruzicka)
Here’s 1960s video of the Port Jervis Cejwin Camp on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2wvowuzlufE
I was only at Cejwin for one summer in 1974 – it was a little too religious for me. But I still had a good summer there. So sad to see it in disrepair like this. Thanks for sharing these photos – it brings back memories.
Cejwin had a major influence on my life. When I first arrived at Cejwin at age 12 in 1957 I knew more or less nothing about Jewish prayer and services. My three years as a camper and year as a waiter greatly molded my life as a Jew. Little could I have imagined that when I worked in Arts and Crafts on a wood cutout of two lions and the Ten Commandments that fifty years later I’d design the Torah ark curtain and Torah mantles for New York’s Temple Emanu-El and Prague’s seven hundred year old synagogue, the Altneuschul. And for forty years work with Elie Wiesel illustrating his books and have my art collected and reproduced many times by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Without my Cejwin experience, I believe I would never have created art on Jewish subjects, which have been exhibited and published worldwide.
Came to cejwin 1966 to 1968 as bunk counselor then nature counselor best summers of my life I only regret not keeping in touch and seeing the staff again at a virtual reunion I missed many friendships that I made that could have changed my life regrets a plenty
When I was a counsellor at Cejwin, there were not enough male counselors for the boys, so I became Uncle Rosalind and was counsellor to a bunk of young boys. I met my future husband there. I am now over 90 years young.
On the heels of Pearl Harbor Day i though it appropos to let you know my father Henry Saphier, MD went to Camp Cejwin during World War II as it was one of the few camps open during WWII – He was a approximately 10 years old and during the summers of 1943 – 1948 – he was a young boy from the Bronx going to Taft and he loved in the incredible lake and he thinks he remembers the owner as A.B. Schoolman & being at camp on VJ Day August 14, 1945 and is very appreciative of your time to post and share your photos
My mom, who is 100 years old, just told me that she went to Camp Cejwin probably as a young teen. She doesn’t remember too much about it but she loved hearing others posts about their experiences at camp. She is probably the oldest living Cejwin alumna!
wow this is all very interesting to read. I did not attend here for cejwin but i went here from 1994-2004 known as tri state christian camp. I remember those cabins i slept in. To bad there all abandon now.
Thanks for your comment Mike. This camp has a long history as a place for Jewish children, but it was also a Christian camp as well. I look at this post as a historical record of the camp so it is nice to hear from someone who spent time there during that period.
I thought to look up Cejwin Camps because something reminded me of Port Jervis – thanks Rich for maintaining this site! I was a camper for four summers in the early 60s, Hadar through Aviv – lots of good memories. My first summer I was so nervous about going away from home and the minute I got there everything was fine. Jeff was the best counselor! Tying the towel on the bed frame for Uncle Max to take you fishing at daybreak; dressing in white for Shabbat; singing; swimming in the lake every day; playing Nok Hockey in the bunk on a rainy afternoon; my bunkmate Leslie who could do a hundred sit-ups without breaking a sweat.
i really cannot remember what year i went to Camp Cejwin but i think it was in the late 70s. but i went for 3 years . i was an volunteer at the lake teaching swimming. the only person i due remember is Howard, who was in charge of girls side.
I spent some wonderful years at Cejwin, going from Carmela to Aviva in the early 70’s. I will never forget those years, the Judaica, the music. Interestingly enough, I began folk dancing at Cejwin and never stopped. As I traveled I would always find a community of folk dancers: Living in Boston, I would hook up at MIT once a week to folk dance. But it all went full circle in the ’80s when I settled in Los Angeles. I found Cafe Danssa and was a folk dance addict. Dana Dassa was the famous Israel coreographer teaching there. So happens…….he taught at Cejwin in the early years! I continued dancing at Cafe Danssa until I was 36 years old and stopped when the demands of work and raising children took over. I am now 65 years old and am grateful for those very special years!
My late father, Stanley Gurman, was a nature counselor there in 1948, after completing his first year at Osteopath school in Kirksville, MO. I have a photo of him there that I wish I could share!
Wow, what memories. I fondly remember those “nush: basketball games. I was considered a good basketball player at home, but at Cejwin, I was a star. It was like I had a different life. I remember my counselor “Julie”, a hippy, teaching us anti-war songs during the Vietnam War, I remember another counselor, Dennis Slater, the coolest counselor ever. I remember how we all got psyched for pizza bagels, that was the highlight.. actually, those pizza bagels were really terrible… but don’t tell us…
Reading this for 1st time and realizing that I’m the ‘Julie’ counselor he’s talking about. Carmel 1970. Cejwinite from 1956-1970.
I’m thinking that you likely know this but for what it is worth Cejwin Camp is in Huguenot, just a mile or so outside of Port Jervis. I was raise in Huguenot yet often tell those who ask that I’m from Pirt Jervis. Much easier to locate on a map should you want to do so. Thanks again for publishing this blog
I was at Cejwin for three years in Hadar, three in Carmel and three in Aviv—then I was on the play production staff at the Synagogue Auditorium.
It was truly my summer family–I even sent my oldest to the one year attempt to restart the camp. They used the Aviv campus and he was very proud of himself when he found my initials and a year in a neighboring bunk house.
I still have my songbook and much of my judaism was learned around the flag pole each morning and shabbat services—and by the lake havdallahs—followed by a “social”.
I could go on —but Thank you Richard
I was at Cejwin the summer of 63, or maybe 64. It was great, loads of fun, with great memories, but 5 particular memories stick with me like they happened yesterday, and make me laugh out loud so often: 1. Prayers and announcements before breakfast-I think at a pond or fire pit that had benches, and then to breakfast where there were more prayers before eating, with the hot chocolate on the table getting cold. 2. “Tish B’av” (or however it is spelled) -walking to the pond or fire pit for morning prayers and telling a friend I cannot wait for breakfast because I was so hungry. He replied: no eating today-its “Tish B’Av” (which I never heard of). I went nuts. Why didn’t someone tell me the night before, so I could store some rolls? Somehow I survived. 3. Mid-week (cloth) and week-end (shiny) yamachas-seemed quite bizarre. 4. We would take a bus to the bowling alley and local kids would throw rocks at the bus. In 1968 I attended SUNY New Paltz and one of the guys in my suite, when he told me he was from Port Jervis, I told him I went to Cejwin, and he responded that when he was a kid, he and his friends had a lot of fun throwing rocks at the Jews in the Cejwin buses going to the bowling alley. What a jerk. 5. When we had services or an event in the main building, when a speaker finished, many in the audience would yell “Tov Me’od” (or something like that, however it is spelled). I never heard that before and could only guess about what that meant, but I suspected it was a compliment. To this day, often, when someone attempts some kind of meaningful dialogue, especially among friends-I yell out “Tov Me’od” in recollection of my great times at Cejwin! No one, except me, ever seems to consider it as a compliment.
September 10, 2022 Richard, these photos and their descriptions are just so poignant and beautiful. You’ve obviously touched a chord here and thanks for doing that. Love the comments too. I spent a lot of time those two summers of 1968 and 1969 on that abandoned basketball court and I’m spellbound looking at that barely hanging-on collapsed rim. Both parents gone, kids grown, nearing retirement, I am at an age where I’m looking at a lot of the voluminous “stuff” I’ve accumulated and unloading. This photo essay of yours, however, is a keeper. Like the others who’ve commented, I’m sure, as we try to figure out where 40, 50, 60 years went, it’s good to remember those days and nights when we were trying to figure out where we would be heading. I remember those bunks in Aviv, the weekend socials and dances, the care packages from home (of comic books, baseball cards and kosher salami), the terrific athletes, the lake, the shoddy lamp I made because who knew you had to wipe the stain off, that ill-conceived prank when toothpaste was subbed into the Oreos one afternoon, that strange weekend when most of the counselors left for this weird thing called Woodstock. So very thankful to you for putting this together and sorry it took me so long to stumble on it! Peter Brav
I was a waiter I think in ’64 (or maybe ’65)…never a camper. But I needed a Summer job and Ella Kornweitz was my late Dad’s cousin. So Hennie and Syd were also related. What good memories…the waiters then were a crazy bunch but we had a great time between meals…baseball, basketball, lots of card playing, going down the road to a bar (forgot the name, it was walking distance, drinks like 7&7’s were maybe 50 cents). I can kind of remember that the CIT’s were kind of uppity towards the waiters, but I had a kind of girlfriend there, a hottie waitress and we did have a romance that summer. And yes, Rose Gold (?) ran the waiters and Mr Gluck headed the kitchen staff. Drove past the place about 5 years ago on my way to Woodstock…kind of sad. Don’t know if Jewish away camps have disappeared all over by now
I was a waiter in 1961. My aunts are Ella and Syd. My first known alcohol drink was a seven and seven and I had it at the bar across from the camp. My mother, Ethel, worked with Rose Gold in the NYC office.
The “bar across the street” was The Park Lane restaurant when I was growing up in the 60s. Later it became The Cornucopia which closed it’s doors on 6/12/11.
Wasn’t there also a home type building that was used as a rehab? Ella brought her husband Joe there. WhenI was driving around the area and the remnants of Cejwin all is saw was the closed Cornucopia restaurant.
Such fond memories of your aunts, Ella and Syd. I attended 1961-1963. That first summer I as 7 years old. One of the happiest memories was being chosen to star in a musical production by Syd.
Do you want to come back for the in the works Jim Henson’s “All of a Kind Family” TV series.
Hi. Thank you for the wonderful pictures. I attended Cejwin in the 1960s: 1966 to 1969. I was a camper in 3 of the Girls Camps: Hadas, Carmela and Aviva. I went for the full 2 month sessions, and it was wonderful to get out of NYC for the summer. Even though I am not religious, my years at Cejwin definitely anchored and solidified my cultural identity as a Jew. I still have (and use) my Cejwin Camps songbook. I remember auditioning for plays with great music directors, and I loved the Israeli dancing. I appreciated the Shabbats of quiet reflection. We would dress all in white, or white and blue, and spend a day of quiet reflection (if you wanted to write letters or play your guitar you had to do it inside, in your bunk). I remember “the gum tree” outside the girls dining hall; the big grassy bowl where we would gather for outdoor performances and presentations; raids to and from the boys side; trips into town for lunch at an old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor (Homers?) or to an ice cream place on the river where you could experience “The Monster” and get a big button if you successfully finished one. I remember my mother ordering the labels for my clothes and sewing them in by hand in the winter so I’d be ready to go every summer.
Attended Cejwin in the mid 50’s. Don’t remember much, but recall counselors and a few fellow campers. Also went to Mossad for a few summers and the two are muddled in my memories.