Machane Lev means Camp Heart

Machane Lev means Camp Heart

By Sarah Zelcer

I am a parent of three children and a product of Jewish day school and Jewish summer camps. Growing up, my observant family was very involved in synagogue life through our membership and active participation in a conservative shul in North York.

My early career was rooted in the Jewish community as well, through my initial few years as a young professional with Jewish Campus Service (now Hillel Toronto) and the subsequent 13 years working with Ve’ahavta. I now work with the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs Ontario.

As my family was growing, we found ourselves engaging with and testing different Jewish communities and perhaps expanding our sense of finding Jewish spaces which felt aligned with our Jewish values (including Tikun Olam), our strong sense of tradition, our deep connections to Israel, and our desire for diverse and inclusive Jewish environments. We are thankful that over the years we have found homes in different synagogues, Jewish learning and Jewish summer camp environments which have fostered these values.

Among these are our family’s involvement with both URJ Camp George, where our eldest and youngest have thrived, as well as with Machane Lev. Machane Lev is a one-week summer camp established in 2017 by Canadian Young Judaea as a place for young LGBTQ+ Jews to be their most authentic selves.

As a graduate of Canadian Young Judaea summer camp system (and subsequent six summers spent as a counsellor!) I was thrilled to learn of the existence of Machane Lev as a space for my children to safely thrive, build community with their LGBTQIAA+ peers and allies, as well as maintain their deep connection to Jewish values and to Israel. This upcoming summer will be the second summer we have sent two of our children to Machane Lev and we remain grateful for this inclusive, diverse, and important space for Canadian Jewish LGBTQIAA+ youth to grow and thrive and be their vibrant and amazing selves.

We remain grateful to have found an inclusive, dynamic, family-friendly and engaging environment at Holy Blossom Temple where all three of our children are engaged and building community.