When the Henry S. Jacobs Camp was founded 40 years ago, its founders hoped that, in addition to the fulfilling its core mission of serving as a residential summer camp for Jewish children from across the Deep South, the site would also become an educational center for the Jewish community of the region, providing opportunities for individuals of all ages to have an enriching Jewish experience at Camp.

Israel will be the theme of our study weekend! We are thrilled to be joined by Rabbi Rich Kirschen and Paul Liptz, the Director and Education Director respectively of the World Union for Progressive Judaism’s Anita Saltz International Education Center in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Rich Kirschen teaches and lectures extensively on issues of public culture, sovereignty & religion in the Jewish State.  Before making Aliyah, he served as a Hillel director for eight years – first at the University of Michigan, and then at Brown University. Rabbi Kirschen recently finished his military service and had the honor of being at one time the oldest private in the Israeli army. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Cara Saposnik (a documentary filmmaker), their three children (Gili, Liron & Ayal), and their dog (Michigan).

Professor Paul Liptz is a social historian who lectures in the Department of Middle Eastern and African History at Tel Aviv University, and in Israel Studies at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. He has published articles on contemporary Jewry & Jewish History and has lectured & conducted workshops in 12 countries. In addition, he has traveled throughout Europe with numerous groups and is recognized as an outstanding Scholar-in-Residence capable of translating complex issues & realities into language we can all understand.